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Adventist ministries coordinate communities’ responses needs

 

Patty Marsh
Patty Marsh overseas a variety of Adventist ministries in region.

By coordinating 50 ministries in 120 Seventh-Day Adventist congregations in Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Northeast Oregon, Patty Marsh helps congregations be part of solutions, working in partnership with other churches and agencies.

As director of Adventist Community Services (ACS) for the Upper Columbia Conference, she is responsible for disaster response, community development, elder care, human services, crisis care and intervention, mentoring and tutoring programs, and education on better living.

“Our list of ministries is ever changing,” Patty said.

In disasters, ACS the U.S., and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) internationally provide emergency response and long-term recovery.

In Nepal’s earthquake, ADRA’s office and staff in Kathmandu escaped harm, so they are providing plastic sheeting for shelters, food, water and health care, she said, adding donations can be made at adra.org.

In the U.S., ACS comes early to work with FEMA and other agencies.  It typically sets up multi-agency warehouses to stock furniture, food, clothing, generators, water and more, particularly after hurricanes, earthquakes and floods. It stays after media leave.

For the Carlton Complex Fire in the Methow Valley last summer, ACS set up a warehouse, first at Okanogan and then Pateros.  People meet caseworkers there and replaced things they lost.  People still have no homes.  Patty expects it will take five years for the area to recover.

ACS meets with Washington Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (WAVOAD).  An ACS representative served more than a year on the long-term recovery team after a violent windstorm in 2012—until needs were met.

“Our strengths at ACS are organizing and caring volunteers,” Patty said.  “While Saturday is our Sabbath and worship day, if there is an emergency, we will help.”

Shortly after 9-11, many trained Adventists served as counselors in New York City helping people with post-disaster trauma.

After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, area Adventist churches and schools raised $150,000 in many ways—including offerings, car washes and cookie sales.

“We take seriously helping ‘the least of my brethren’ as Matt. 25 says we are to do,” Patty said. “It’s in our DNA to do that.  We use our talents where we can to make the world better and touch people’s lives.  Religion must have shoes on.  It’s not about sitting in pews.”

Serving is in Patty’s DNA as the daughter of a pastor, who ingrained in her early that she was to serve others.  After earning a degree from Loma Linda University in Riverside, Calif., she taught high school business classes and piano.  A life-long learner, she continues to take classes.

After marrying Larry, who is vice president for education with the Upper Columbia Conference, they lived in Northern California, Indiana and Missouri. They lived eight years in Spokane when Larry was principal at the Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle.  Then they served in Staunton, Va., before returning in 2008 to the Upper Columbia Conference.

Patty encourages churches to be involved in their communities.

“We need to keep our ears to the ground.  The world changes all the time,” she said.

Two years ago, a couple donated $100,000 as matching funds for ACS to start new ministries.  Those funds have helped ACS open and upgrade 20 ministries.

Every day is an adventure for Patty as she develops, nurtures and coordinates thrift stores, soup kitchens, food, clothing and furniture banks, God’s Closets, multi-service centers, medical clinics, Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) classes, Better Living Centers and more.

“People planning a ministry need to know community needs, church members’ strengths, what others are doing and where God is opening doors,” she said.

A Post Falls church hosts homeless families with Family Promise.

“If a group meets a need well, we support it,” she said.  “If other churches are responding, we join them.  We should not compete.”

Thrift stores help fund ministries.

“Bonners Ferry’s Thrift Store does a booming business.  Social workers and the health department refer clients for help with such things as gas money, airline tickets, attire for job hunting, utilities or vouchers to shop,” Patty said.

In Deary, Idaho, a retired woman with help from church and community friends organized a food and clothing bank.  They raised $150,000 to build a warehouse for a furniture bank, stocked by furniture college students set out when they leave Moscow and Pullman.  Two years ago, she also took on a food bank and thrift store ready to close in nearby Troy.

God’s Closet, which started in Spokane, has spread to nine cities.  Four Thursdays a year, Adventist and other women sort and set out donated children’s clothes.  From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the next day, the fellowship hall of Central Adventist Church opens.  Up to 300 people pay $1 to enter and fill three bags—or based on need.

May 8 is the next God’s Closet in Spokane and at Deer Park and Yakima Adventist churches. 

Richland’s Adventist Church across the street from a public school brings 18 second and third graders Tuesday and Thursday mornings to the church for breakfast.  Members listen to them read and tutor them.  The school, which had low test scores, has seen major improvements in scores.

SonBridge, an agency Seventh-day Adventists started at 1200 SE 12th St., in College Place at Walla Walla, is in a retirement home that was renovated in 2004. It includes a thrift store, medical/dental clinic and an education wing.  There are classes in English as a Second Language, suicide prevention, becoming debt free, AARP driving safety, successful living and more.  There are also addiction recovery, life transitions and caregiver support groups.  Catholic Medical Services, which runs the clinic, treats 120 patients a month.

In the West Plains, two Adventist women lead a SAIL program for the community, teaching classes in strength, balance and fitness for adults 65 and older to prevent falls and broken hips that reduce quality of life.

On Aug. 3 and 4, Pathways to Health comes to the Spokane Fairgrounds, with free medical, dental and eye care services. 

Part of Adventists’ holistic understanding of people is their emphasis on eight keys to healthy living: nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, air, rest and trust in divine power, Patty said.

For information, call 242-0621 or visit uccsda.org.



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