News from the Pews: CROP Walk and Writers Group

Local congregations are responding to assist neighbors and others far away with a variety of events this week, addressing needs such as food, employment and support.

CROP Hunger Walk

Put on your walking shoes and join several Royal Oak churches at 1 p.m. Sunday as congregants and friends participate in the annual CROP Hunger Walk, beginning at the . Registration is in the Fellowship Hall, and the group will begin the walk at 1:30 p.m. Participants collect monetary pledges and walk one to two miles to combat hunger.

“The blessing with this event is that it helps hungry people locally and around the world,” explained the Rev. Tom Rice, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak.

Seven Royal Oak churches raised more than $12,000 last year, with 25 percent  of the proceeds staying in the community, benefiting six Royal Oak food pantries and soup kitchens, including The Welcome Inn, the and food pantry.

For more information, check out the CROP web page or the local Facebook page.

Coffee and conversation

The will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday at in downtown Royal Oak. Group leader Trevor Sutton, vicar of , has arranged for a guest speaker, and the group will discuss current writing projects. For information, contact Sutton at 248-622-9792 or tsutton@stpaulroyaloak.org or follow the group on LinkedIn.

Ascension Ministry Employment Network

For the past few years, it seems that members and friends of Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church in Beverly Hills have been dealing with job loss – almost on a weekly basis – while others struggle with underemployment.

Noting that unemployment affects not just the household budget but the very soul of a family, the church has put together the Ascension Ministry Employment Network (AMEN), an employment ministry combining job networking, resume-writing workshops, social media, assistance with job interviews (to include coordinating haircuts and attire for interviews), resources for help in the community and spiritual nurturing.

“By pooling our resources as a congregation and networking with our colleagues, we can use our combined experiences to help others in their job search and during their job search,” said Steve Schoenknecht, a Ferndale resident who is part of the AMEN steering committee.

Royal Oak resident Ken Broderdorf also responded to the call to serve on the steering committee. He is using his talents as a graphic designer to create logos, posters and more for the ministry.

“I feel blessed to be able to use my talents to help others seek gainful employment,” said Broderdorf. “Our goal is to do more than just network; it is to support our neighbors.”

The AMEN team also invites those who are gainfully employed or are business owners to join the meetings, offering any job leads they or their colleagues may have.

Ascension’s pastor, the Rev. Mark Biebighauser, looks forward to meeting the needs of the community he serves.

“Our congregation understands the call to serve our neighbors in the Lord's name," stated Biebighauser in a statement, who lives in Birmingham. "The Ascension Ministry Employment Network will provide support and encouragement to those who are unemployed and underemployed in our surrounding community. Through Scripture, prayer and the various resources God has given us, we will seek to do our part in contributing to the overall spiritual and financial health of all those whom the Lord calls us to serve.”

Meetings are scheduled from 7-9 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church, 16935 W. 14 Mile Rd. in Beverly Hills. The next meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. Tuesday. There is no cost to attend the sessions.

For more information, call 248-288-6918, visit the church's website or send an email to amen.aoc@gmail.com. You may also follow the ministry team on LinkedIn.

The Parent Talk System

Parents, grandparents, teachers and child care providers will benefit from The Parent Talk System series from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning this week, at .

The six sessions, led by John Miller, a certified Parent Talk facilitator, will guide parents in the areas of setting limits, teaching “response-ability,” encouraging problem solving, promoting independence and exploring the power of words we use.

Child care will be provided. A $10 materials fee is appreciated. To register, call 248-288-4220 or email fccro@fccro.org. For more information and resources for The Parent Talk System, visit this website.