Tulsa -
New Haven United Methodist called off services Sunday in favor of worshipping in a different kind of way. About 125 members of the congregation volunteered in the community at any of 11 sites for the church's first "The Church Has Left the Building" event.
"We are putting our words into action as we're called to do," said Reverend Cindy Havlik. "You know, we can be the church in so many different ways, not just inside the building but outside in the community."
People volunteered at Carnegie Elementary School, a center for the homeless, and a transitional housing site for the incarcerated. The church also worked on six volunteer projects at New Haven, so those that could not travel to volunteer could still help. Channel 8 followed a crew that went to Restore Hope Ministries, an organization that helps families in crisis. Volunteers sorted school supplies for about one hundred students and helped do an inventory of donated food items.
"I love it, because I'm a mission-oriented person," said New Haven member Dick Garwood. He has been an active volunteer with the church and has been involved at Restore Hope since 1989. He said he loved the idea of "The Church Has Left the Building" because he has always enjoyed helping people.
The crew at Restore Hope worked for about three and a half hours. All volunteer projects wrapped up around 4 p.m. Havlik said she hopes to make "The Church Has Left the Building" an annual event.
