Naomi’s Heart Widows Ministry to host event
Attendees at November’s kickoff event of Naomi’s Heart Widows Ministry. The new ministry will host a free Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Grace Community Church’s Berlin campus. All area widows are welcome to attend.
Holidays can be lonely for some people. Naomi’s Heart Widows Ministry seeks to change that. The new ministry will offer its first Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 14 with plans to make it an annual event. Free of charge, the occasion will start at 4:30 p.m. at Grace Community Church’s Berlin campus, 5850 County Road 77, Millersburg.
Guests are encouraged to dress formally or semi-formally as they will be whisked into a red-carpet event, complete with music, a speaker and holiday food.
Attendees can get stuffed spinach and cream cheese chicken breast with asparagus, mashed potatoes, tomato soup with garlic knots, and dessert. Dietary-restricted options can be accommodated.
The evening will feature a violin solo by Daniel Bolton. The Holmes County Performing Arts Choir will perform excerpts from “The Messiah,” a vocal score. Guest speaker Kendra Kaufman will deliver a message to complete the holiday cheer.
Organizer Angie Miller said the party is open to widows in the community.
“We just realized that our widows are looking for connections, and they’re looking for connections to meet and get together. They can just enjoy each other and be pampered,” Miller said.
Community businesses have donated meals, desserts and gift baskets full of goodies from local merchants.
“There are so many companies that are donating toward us. We’re getting a lot of outside sponsorship,” Miller said.
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Dec. 12 at allaboutgrace.org/events or call Miller at 330-987-3148.
The idea to minister to widows in the community started with members at Grace Community Church but quickly became a community-wide effort. Naomi’s Heart started in November with a soft launch at Walnut Creek Cheese. Attendees had a harvest-themed morning in the banquet hall with breakfast and activities.
Except for December’s Christmas event, each gathering will be held the second Saturday each month at 9 a.m. at Walnut Creek Cheese. Guests can get breakfast, socialize, play games and hear from a speaker, all free.
“We have some local businesses that are even sponsoring this monthly,” Miller said. “It’s been really incredible.”
The initiative to minister to area widows started in April with a breakfast gathering. In September a core team of five members joined to launch the ministry. Grace wanted to include more widows and reached out to the greater community to see who they could show love.
“They just love feeling special,” Miller said. “Our goal is to connect them through laughter, fellowship and community together.”