Spotlight Deliverance takes its ministry to the street
Advance correspondent
BRISTOL BOROUGH - For several hours on Saturday, the 400 block of Cedar Street was closed off to WUDIfiF WR DOORw IRU GRzHnV of kids to use the roadway for races, basketball, HulaHooping and face painting. The occasion was Spotlight Deliverance Temple’s fourth annual Community Day.
During breaks, the kids chomped on free hot dogs and chips, and sipped pink lemonade. Adults set up tables for community groups and put out chairs for elder congregants content to sit in the shade to watch the festivities.
“This is our time to come outside the church and make our presence known, and to give our neighbors the chance to see us, said Tanya Hamlet, who grew up on Wood Street and is now a resident of Croydon. “This is our way of giving back to our community.
The Spotlight Deliverance Temple is a small brownstone church at the corner of Cedar and Walnut streets. Its services attract a congregation from Bucks County and from New Jersey and, along with its worship services, its mission statement is to promote the love of Christ and provide social services, including feeding the poor, providing clothing and encouraging people to have compassion and putting “love in action.”
Kelly Steward, a resident of Willingboro, N.J., brought her two children, Maxwell, 5, and Nadia, 2, to join in the fun.
“I grew up in the church and I bring my children now because I think it helps keep them on the straight path. And the community day is their time to have fun,” Steward said.
Several tables featuring goods for sale or community services lined Cedar Street. Colorful headbands and earrings were snapped up by visitors. Steward sat at on table painting children’s faces while other little visitors swayed to the beat of music and the motion of Hula Hoops.
The event started at 9 a.m. and went on full swing until sunset. But the church is sponsoring other summerrelated programs for the kids. Vacation Bible School will be held July 8-12. And a summer camp will run from June 24 to Aug. 30 for kids from ages 3-12.
The cost of the camp is $30 per child ($15 extra for each additional child) and breakfast and lunch are provided at no extra cost. Day trips and educational activities are covered by the registration cost.
For more information, call 215-785-4845.