"Soap for Success," "Jeans for Teens," and "Bells a 'Ringing"

How many times a day do you wash your hands – with soap?  How do you feel when the bathroom sink you’re at has no soap?  When I was in Uganda, I saw only two people ask for money, but frequently villagers would ask, “Do you have any soap?” Homeless people in our country need soap, too.  Soap prevents disease and infection - keeping you from being ill, and extending your life.  During the month of July, my church at E and Green Streets in Tehachapi, will be doing a “Soap for Success” campaign, asking people to bring soap to church, any kind of soap: dish soap, bar soap, hand soap, scrubbing soap, laundry soap, pretty ladies’ soap, heavy-duty soap, soap with deodorant, foaming soap, aromatherapy soap, whatever kind floats your boat.  

I’d like to invite the whole community to participate. Imagine the mountain of soap we could build. We will be sure to take a picture in the end! If you would like in, you may bring soap to our church office during the week, or place it on the altar or in a tub beneath the altar Sunday mornings. On July 26th, Christine Lollar, the Director for Homelessness Resources in Kern County will collect the soap from this community. She is a dynamic speaker and she will provide the Sunday morning message, “Myths about Homelessness.” All are welcome to come and hear her. After her visit, my church will be collecting “Jeans for Teens” in August, so that teenagers going back to school have new jeans.  If you see any good sale prices, you may bring new jeans with labels to the church at E and Green and pin them to our “Jeans for Teens” clotheslines.  

Have you ever wanted to ring a big old church bell? On Saturday evening, July 11th, you could do just that AND eat some apple pie to boot. This year’s, “Summer Stroll 2015,” sponsored by the Tehachapi Heritage League will be held from 6-8 p.m. (See their article on page 16 of this issue for details.) This is a chance to take a walking tour of historical Tehachapi and learn more about the city’s roots. My church will participate as one of the stops on the stroll. We’re going to dress in 1920’s fashion and we plan to serve apple pie, something my church has had a reputation for making, while a docent tells about the historical church. Guests will be allowed to ring the church bell. This open-house stroll is in place of our regular July “First Friday” community event. Come say hello, be fed, and drop off some soap.

May You be Blessed and a Blessing, Pastor Nancy.