Garden Spot townlively.com
MARCH 3, 2021
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVII • NO 11
Seminary Bestows Catalytic Church Award On ECC BY ANN MEAD ASH
When Kevin Eshleman, lead pastor of Ephrata Community Church (ECC), first became a student at Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown in 2007, he was impressed with the caliber of the institution and the quality of the professors. “It’s a great place,” said Eshleman. “The professors are godly people who
CrossNet’s Aryn Burda (left) will be passing the keys to the organization’s transportation ministry to Marilyn Weaver (right).
More Than A Ride Volunteers Sought To Keep Transportation Ministry Moving BY ANN MEAD ASH
s case and resource manager at CrossNet Ministries in New Holland, Aryn Burda has been overseeing the organization’s transportation ministry for some time, and she knows the valuable role volunteers play in helping participants reach appointments. “All our volunteers are a significant part of the story here at CrossNet,” said Burda. Burda noted that by developing relationships with those they transport, drivers offer more than just a ride to participants. “(Our drivers) have opportunities to connect with individuals and families by providing transportation, but also to hear about their day and how their appointments went,” shared Burda. “They have conversations. It’s more than just a transportation request; it is an opportunity to invest and be a light.” The transportation ministry was formed in March 2018, when CrossNet first partnered with the
“They have conversations. It’s more than just a transportation request; it is an opportunity to invest and be a light.” along with education-related meetings. Children must be accompanied by a guardian. Since the initial COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, rides for children have been provided by CrossNet staff and volunteers to protect the older Kiwanis Club members who were driving previously. One way area children benefit from the ministry is through vision examinations and/or glasses provided by the Empower the Cross Fund. Qualifying children may be served by a partnership between CrossNet
and Optometric Associates in New Holland, and vouchers may be provided for certain types of eyewear or for free exams and glasses. A second group of volunteers provides rides for adults. Ride requests from women are sent to female drivers and for men to male drivers. Volunteers for both adults and children have had their driving records checked, and they have undergone all the required clearances. Since the pandemic began, the transportation ministry has been providing about five rides per month, with only a few drivers at the wheel. “We are a little low on volunteers,” noted Burda. “COVID-19 has impacted that pretty significantly.” To be sure volunteer drivers and their passengers are safe, CrossNet is following protocols that require any participant above 2 years of age to wear a mask. Burda added that drivers are verified with regard to exposure or symptoms. “The volunteer must wipe down the van (or his or her own car) before and after a participant (is transported),” said Burda. “We are not transporting
For 2021, Dayspring Christian Academy has chosen the theme “Return to the Foundation: Reviving the Seed of Our Nation” for its 11th Remember America Speaker Series event. Dayspring has also
See CrossNet pg 7
See Dayspring pg 5
See ECC Awarded pg 8
Ann Steel (left), Evangelical Seminary executive director of institutional advancement, presents the Catalytic Church Award to Kevin Eshleman, lead pastor of Ephrata Community Church (ECC).
Dayspring To Welcome Metaxas And Cahn Remember America Series To Debut Interview Format
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Transitions: Petra Under New Leadership . . . . . . . .2 Business Directory . . . . . .2 CrossNet Plans Hybrid Banquet Featuring Scott Hamilton . . . . . . . . .3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
BY ANN MEAD ASH
Breaking Down Barriers: GOTR Adapts . . . . . . . . . .7 House Of Worship . . . . . .10 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .11
March 4-13, 2021
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New Holland Area Kiwanis Club to provide rides for area children. The ministry transports children to specific appointments including medical, dental, and mental health visits,
love the Lord and have dug deep into the Scriptures in their specific areas of expertise.” Eshleman wondered if there might be a way for the seminary to share the wisdom of its teachers with members of the community and church leaders who are looking to deepen their own knowledge of God. His answer, the creation of the Institute for Christian Learning (ICL) at ECC, resulted in Evangelical Seminary presenting the Catalytic Church Award to ECC at the end of 2020. The award would have typically been presented at the school’s fall banquet. But when the banquet was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Ann Steel, Evangelical Seminary executive director of institutional advancement, traveled to ECC, 70 Clay School Road, Ephrata, to present the award in person.
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