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Church group considers holding Hands Across Lehigh

By Staff | Jul 20, 2016

Jason Phillips

The Lehigh Ministerial Association has opted to present a “Hands Across Lehigh” event this fall, hoping to involve residents and members of all of the local churches.

Pastor Jason Phillips is the chaplain at the Lehigh Regional Medical Center. He opened the association’s meeting last week at LRMC with the comment that the world of chaos that he sees in the news every day is of great concern to the people of the United States and its ministers and church congregations.

“We hear of something happening in the news almost every day. But we can’t let fear guide us because we know where we are going in the end of time. We can’t allow fear to take over because fear makes things worse,” Phillips said.

Afterward, he offered a prayer of unity.

Pastor Deb Frysinger, with the First Congregational Church, attended the meeting, along with other local clergy members and church representatives.

Deb Frysinger

She thought that the association could come up with something to show unity in Lehigh Acres.

“I know most of you remember the Hands Across America back in 1986, when millions of Americans linked hands from the Atlantic to the Pacific to show unity in the U.S.,” Frysinger said. “We could do a Hands Across Lehigh and involve hundreds of people from all the churches and others in the community.

“We could link people from one part of town to the other, all showing unity and strength for good,” she said.

Hands Across America was a benefit and publicity campaign held on May 25, 1986, and involved 6.5 million people who held hands in a human chain for 15 minutes along a path across America.

It raised money for the homeless and other projects and encouraged unity among Americans.

MEL TOADVINE Miriam Blaco and Brenda Lane, members of the Lehigh Ministerial Association, prepare lunch for the group’s recent meeting at the Lehigh Regional Medical Center.

Several ministers agreed with the idea, noting that it would help to bring Lehigh together and would be of significance for the community and its people.

Frysinger suggested that the event could extend along Lee Boulevard and end up as a walk.

It was also suggested that the event might start on the lawn of the LRMC and that people could line up going in different directions, ending up maybe at Veterans Park on Homestead Road, where a celebration could be held.

It was proposed that hot dogs and cold drinks be provided at the conclusion of the event for free, and all who participated be at the end site for the celebration.

One minister suggested that the ending program at Veterans Park be called a Celebration of Peace.

Another suggested that a Christian radio station provide music for the event and several people carry radios so the music could be heard by passers-by.

It was also suggested that it be open to all nationalities, with a concentration on peace not only in Lehigh, but across the nation in wake of the recent shootings.

September was chosen as a likely time to hold the event, and the group decided to finalize the details at its monthly August meeting.

One minister pointed out that while he thought the celebration was a positive thing for Lehigh, some members of his congregation might object if local Muslims were involved in the event.

He was joined by another member of the group who agreed.

Association members noted that it would take some work to accomplish the Hands Across Lehigh event, but they liked the idea.

In the past, local ministerial associations have not survived due to different doctrines and beliefs.

Phillips said the new group was created as a way for all of the clergy and churches in Lehigh to come together and socialize and to hold events to benefit Lehigh.

The monthly luncheon begins at about 11:30 a.m. and a light lunch is provided by the hospital.

Congregations that are not part of the association can ask their religious leaders to join.

There are no membership fees.

Phillips said that as many as 20 or so pastors and ministers belong to the group. At each meeting, a dozen up to 20 attend.

Church group considers holding Hands Across Lehigh

By Staff | Jul 20, 2016

Jason Phillips

The Lehigh Ministerial Association has opted to present a “Hands Across Lehigh” event this fall, hoping to involve residents and members of all of the local churches.

Pastor Jason Phillips is the chaplain at the Lehigh Regional Medical Center. He opened the association’s meeting last week at LRMC with the comment that the world of chaos that he sees in the news every day is of great concern to the people of the United States and its ministers and church congregations.

“We hear of something happening in the news almost every day. But we can’t let fear guide us because we know where we are going in the end of time. We can’t allow fear to take over because fear makes things worse,” Phillips said.

Afterward, he offered a prayer of unity.

Pastor Deb Frysinger, with the First Congregational Church, attended the meeting, along with other local clergy members and church representatives.

Deb Frysinger

She thought that the association could come up with something to show unity in Lehigh Acres.

“I know most of you remember the Hands Across America back in 1986, when millions of Americans linked hands from the Atlantic to the Pacific to show unity in the U.S.,” Frysinger said. “We could do a Hands Across Lehigh and involve hundreds of people from all the churches and others in the community.

“We could link people from one part of town to the other, all showing unity and strength for good,” she said.

Hands Across America was a benefit and publicity campaign held on May 25, 1986, and involved 6.5 million people who held hands in a human chain for 15 minutes along a path across America.

It raised money for the homeless and other projects and encouraged unity among Americans.

MEL TOADVINE Miriam Blaco and Brenda Lane, members of the Lehigh Ministerial Association, prepare lunch for the group’s recent meeting at the Lehigh Regional Medical Center.

Several ministers agreed with the idea, noting that it would help to bring Lehigh together and would be of significance for the community and its people.

Frysinger suggested that the event could extend along Lee Boulevard and end up as a walk.

It was also suggested that the event might start on the lawn of the LRMC and that people could line up going in different directions, ending up maybe at Veterans Park on Homestead Road, where a celebration could be held.

It was proposed that hot dogs and cold drinks be provided at the conclusion of the event for free, and all who participated be at the end site for the celebration.

One minister suggested that the ending program at Veterans Park be called a Celebration of Peace.

Another suggested that a Christian radio station provide music for the event and several people carry radios so the music could be heard by passers-by.

It was also suggested that it be open to all nationalities, with a concentration on peace not only in Lehigh, but across the nation in wake of the recent shootings.

September was chosen as a likely time to hold the event, and the group decided to finalize the details at its monthly August meeting.

One minister pointed out that while he thought the celebration was a positive thing for Lehigh, some members of his congregation might object if local Muslims were involved in the event.

He was joined by another member of the group who agreed.

Association members noted that it would take some work to accomplish the Hands Across Lehigh event, but they liked the idea.

In the past, local ministerial associations have not survived due to different doctrines and beliefs.

Phillips said the new group was created as a way for all of the clergy and churches in Lehigh to come together and socialize and to hold events to benefit Lehigh.

The monthly luncheon begins at about 11:30 a.m. and a light lunch is provided by the hospital.

Congregations that are not part of the association can ask their religious leaders to join.

There are no membership fees.

Phillips said that as many as 20 or so pastors and ministers belong to the group. At each meeting, a dozen up to 20 attend.

Church group considers holding Hands Across Lehigh

By Staff | Jul 20, 2016

Jason Phillips

The Lehigh Ministerial Association has opted to present a “Hands Across Lehigh” event this fall, hoping to involve residents and members of all of the local churches.

Pastor Jason Phillips is the chaplain at the Lehigh Regional Medical Center. He opened the association’s meeting last week at LRMC with the comment that the world of chaos that he sees in the news every day is of great concern to the people of the United States and its ministers and church congregations.

“We hear of something happening in the news almost every day. But we can’t let fear guide us because we know where we are going in the end of time. We can’t allow fear to take over because fear makes things worse,” Phillips said.

Afterward, he offered a prayer of unity.

Pastor Deb Frysinger, with the First Congregational Church, attended the meeting, along with other local clergy members and church representatives.

Deb Frysinger

She thought that the association could come up with something to show unity in Lehigh Acres.

“I know most of you remember the Hands Across America back in 1986, when millions of Americans linked hands from the Atlantic to the Pacific to show unity in the U.S.,” Frysinger said. “We could do a Hands Across Lehigh and involve hundreds of people from all the churches and others in the community.

“We could link people from one part of town to the other, all showing unity and strength for good,” she said.

Hands Across America was a benefit and publicity campaign held on May 25, 1986, and involved 6.5 million people who held hands in a human chain for 15 minutes along a path across America.

It raised money for the homeless and other projects and encouraged unity among Americans.

MEL TOADVINE Miriam Blaco and Brenda Lane, members of the Lehigh Ministerial Association, prepare lunch for the group’s recent meeting at the Lehigh Regional Medical Center.

Several ministers agreed with the idea, noting that it would help to bring Lehigh together and would be of significance for the community and its people.

Frysinger suggested that the event could extend along Lee Boulevard and end up as a walk.

It was also suggested that the event might start on the lawn of the LRMC and that people could line up going in different directions, ending up maybe at Veterans Park on Homestead Road, where a celebration could be held.

It was proposed that hot dogs and cold drinks be provided at the conclusion of the event for free, and all who participated be at the end site for the celebration.

One minister suggested that the ending program at Veterans Park be called a Celebration of Peace.

Another suggested that a Christian radio station provide music for the event and several people carry radios so the music could be heard by passers-by.

It was also suggested that it be open to all nationalities, with a concentration on peace not only in Lehigh, but across the nation in wake of the recent shootings.

September was chosen as a likely time to hold the event, and the group decided to finalize the details at its monthly August meeting.

One minister pointed out that while he thought the celebration was a positive thing for Lehigh, some members of his congregation might object if local Muslims were involved in the event.

He was joined by another member of the group who agreed.

Association members noted that it would take some work to accomplish the Hands Across Lehigh event, but they liked the idea.

In the past, local ministerial associations have not survived due to different doctrines and beliefs.

Phillips said the new group was created as a way for all of the clergy and churches in Lehigh to come together and socialize and to hold events to benefit Lehigh.

The monthly luncheon begins at about 11:30 a.m. and a light lunch is provided by the hospital.

Congregations that are not part of the association can ask their religious leaders to join.

There are no membership fees.

Phillips said that as many as 20 or so pastors and ministers belong to the group. At each meeting, a dozen up to 20 attend.