In 1997, Jo Ann Lynch and Peggy Bishop had a vision come to fruition when the United Methodist Men participated in a Make A Difference Day event at Wherry Housing. The Girl Scouts came to us with an idea to have a Make A Difference Day event and the church worked with them and Wherry Housing to coordinate a day-long event. The Girl Scouts conducted children’s activity, the men and women renovated the Clothes Closet, and the Youth and other adults from the community worked on a house that was torn down. The event was a COMMUNITY wide event.

The United Methodist Women opened the Clothes Closet in 1997 with Peggy Bishop and Jo Ann Lynch as co-directors. At that time we were going to provide clothing to women that were returning to the workforce under the Families First program. We found that the community had a need for clothing for all people of all ages and gender. So, we revamped our program to meet the greatest need in the community.

When we first decided to open a clothes closet no business or person would offer a location within northern Rutherford County. Jo Ann Lynch contacted Wherry Housing and worked with Michael Hendrickson to get a building for the clothes closet. Without Wherry Housing offering us a building at no cost, we would not have a clothes closet.
We service residents of North Rutherford County. The clothes closet is listed on the 211 telephone information system for those who need assistance. We receive referrals from the Food Bank, SLAC and other groups in Smyrna/LaVergne. We service groups such as Second Chance and they have even donated clothing to us. We provide information about our church and will talk to anyone that needs spiritual guidance.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, the Church was a central drop off point for clothing for victims of the hurricane. We provided clothing to victims that came to Smyrna. We had so much clothing donated that the over run of clothes were handed out to all clients at the clothes closet and boxes of clothing were donated to numerous non-profit groups. A load of clothing was taken to Buffalo, NY to clothe the homeless people and a load was taken to East Tennessee to a Christian mission outreach in Jefferson City, TN.

Over the years the hours have changed and the clients’ and volunteers’ faces have changed. Jo Ann Lynch and Jan Schilling are the co-directors. If you have the heart to help those in need, we would welcome you with open arms. We have guidelines established and it is quite easy to learn the process. We are open from 9-12 every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. If your Sunday School class or other group would like to volunteer even on a monthly basis, that would be a blessing for us.

The Smyrna La Vergne Food Bank would like to thank everyone who participated in the mobile food pantry on March 6th. Although our food bank was expecting 11,000 pounds of food, over 26,000 pounds arrived from Second Harvest of Nashville.  Through the help of volunteers the mobile pantry distributed to 218 families.  Our mission statement reads, "Let them not depart in Hunger", and through the generous help of Smyrna First United Methodist Church, we were able to meet our mission.

Smyrna First has been approved by the Rutherford County Jail to start Bible-based lifestyle training classes. We will offer a curriculum that is Bible based in the following areas:  parenting, budgeting, marriage enrichment, etc.

If you are interested in getting involved, an orientation class that is required by the jail is scheduled for July 17th.  It will last about an hour. Please email Jo Ann Lynch at maddoglynch@comcast.net to get signed up. You will received further details at that time.

The Bible classes will be once a week at the jail.  Wolmen will teach women, men will teach men. So, even if you aren't sure but are considering it, please plan to attend the orientation meeting.

Anna Bolin is our team leader for prison ministry in the Rutherford County jail system. Anna is currently collecting soft covered Bibles. A box is in the hallway across from the office.  The jail needs approximately 40-60 Bibles every week.  You can purchase paperback Bibles for $1.00 each at Dollar Tree or if you purchase through this website:  www.holmanbibleoutreach.org, for every Bible you purchase they will match.

Please prayerfully consider getting involved in our Prison Ministry. This will include writing letters to inmates (training will be provided) and donating to purchase birthday gift cards for the children of inmates.  We cannot forget the children who are affected by a parent being incarcerated and, in some instances, both parents being incarcerated. If you are interested in Prison Ministry. please contact Anna Bolin at bolinin@gmail.com.

Thank You!

The Prison Ministry would like to thank the many people for their monetary contributions. We collected $100.00 and with that money were able to buy 200 New Testaments, due to the Holman Bible outreach program, and 40 pairs of reading glasses.  Thank you so much for your continued support of this ministry!

 

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