What if I told you that Dodd-Sterling United Methodist Church is more than just a place of worship? It is a beacon of hope. It stands as a testament to the power of community. Welcome to Dodd-Sterling United Methodist Church. Here, faith intertwines with action.
Dodd-Sterling United Methodist Church stands proudly on Browns Mill Road in Atlanta. Its story is one of dedication and service. The church is a vital part of the Southside community. It actively addresses food insecurity.
Cars line up early on Brown’s Mill Road. They are waiting for the bi-weekly food distribution. Some families arrive as early as 8:30 a.m. The event doesn’t start until 10:30 a.m. This shows the importance of the ministry. Eric Powell is the pastor. He greets everyone with a kind smile.
Rain or shine, the food ministry happens. This is thanks to a partnership. Dodd-Sterling, a predominantly Black church, collaborates with Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church. Saint Luke’s is a predominantly White church from Dunwoody. This partnership began in response to COVID-19. It exemplifies unity and compassion.
Trucks arrive carrying food. Volunteers from both churches set up tents. They protect the boxes from the rain. Paula Powell checks in each car. She assigns numbers for food distribution. Nancy Moore directs drivers. Mary Guerrant keeps the boxes moving. The atmosphere is upbeat and joyful. Laughter fills the air despite the weather.
The motto of the food ministry is “Dignity tastes good.” Dodd-Sterling wants everyone to feel happy. They want them to be happy when they arrive. Also, they should be happy when they leave. DeWayne “Skeet” Keith keeps everyone laughing. David Williams shares fishing tips. The distribution serves 125 families in two hours.
This food ministry marks its second anniversary. It has distributed 250,000 pounds of food. That is about 208,833 meals. Jeremy Lewis calls it a model program. He thinks many will follow Dodd-Sterling’s example.
The partnership began with Eric Powell and David Lower. They come from different backgrounds. But their shared commitment led to something special. They met at an IHOP. They openly discussed everything. Lower acknowledged his White privilege. Powell knew he could trust him.
The churches decided to deepen their relationship. They started praying together via Zoom. Dodd-Sterling shared their community’s urgent need for food. Saint Luke’s responded immediately. They collected donations. Lower and his son bought all the frozen chicken from Walmart.
To sustain the effort, they partnered with Urban Recipe. This allowed them to get more food at a lower cost. Members from both churches contribute work sessions. They build and pack boxes. This work is personal for many.
The food delivery program has given food security to the community. But it has also strengthened the bonds between the congregations. When Dodd-Sterling needed help with renovations, Saint Luke’s was there. They also have Bible study together. Members attend each other’s important events.
The trust built between Dodd-Sterling and Saint Luke’s is invaluable. This ministry puts Dodd-Sterling in touch with the community. It has become an intricate part of what they do.
During the Black Lives Matter protests, the partnership fostered understanding. Working together every two weeks made difficult discussions easier. The people of Saint Luke’s saw their friends’ and family’s struggles. They saw it firsthand.
DeWayne Keith expresses joy in working with Saint Luke’s. He has learned a lot. He is proud to help their neighbors. Alonzo Nash looks forward to the food ministry. He considers it special.
Dodd-Sterling United Methodist Church embodies the spirit of unity. It fosters compassion. It shows dedication. It stands as a beacon of hope. It demonstrates what a community can achieve together.