Mount Kisco Methodist Church Dedicates Day To Community Service

On Sunday, congregants from the United Methodist Church in Mount Kisco gathered to help the community. The church chose four projects for its third-annual Faith in Action day: sprucing up homes, cleaning the town, health kits and flowers. Many participants wore light-blue t-shirts emblazoned with the church's name on the front and the slogan, "Open Minds, Open Hearts, and Open Doors" on the back.

Pastor Matt Curry greeted parishioners warmly. He relished the chance to reach out to the community. In describing the area where he works he said, "There's a lot of need and a lot of opportunities." The first year that Curry's church held the day, they were the only church in the area to do so. When his colleagues heard about the endeavor, they were eager to join in. This year, on the same day, the Methodist churches in Yorktown and Buchanan conducted their own projects. All three congregations convened at 2:30 p.m. for a time of reflection and holy communion.

A group of teenagers and adults headed off to spruce up an elderly congregant's home. Their tasks included trimming hedges and cleaning gutters and windows. In the past two years, the group has even painted houses. Scraping and preparation were completed in the week before the event. Approximately 20 people helped in the actual painting.

Another group was equipped with rakes and garbage bags. Their task was to assist the town by cleaning areas that have been neglected in the past few weeks.

Some of the senior citizens dedicated themselves to assembling health kits. These kits are designed to help in emergency situations, which will be housed in a warehouse and distributed in times of crisis.

New this year was the floral component. Flats of annuals were potted for several elderly members. Flowers will also be given to police and ambulance volunteers to thank them for their service to the community.

The members were very enthusiastic and genuinely interested in helping others. Ross Porter said, "The whole idea is getting out into the community." His daughter, Coryn needed no persuasion to join in the day's activities. "This is my family" she said, gesturing toward the other members.

Faith in Action day is not an unusual endeavor for Curry and his congregants.They are involved in many altruistic activities. Curry proudly showed off the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, which is housed in the church. Donations are received from individual food drives, as well as the Food Bank For Westchester in Millwood. Food is distributed here twice a week. After Hurricane Katrina, five youth group mission trips were made to Biloxi, MS. During the winter, the church provides food and shelter for the homeless.