From our November 9, 2000, edition.

Ministry Center to open this weekend 

By Joburta Helms

The community of Clarendon has been watching and waiting for the day this day to come.  And now it has arrived.  Saturday, November 11, 2000, will be the first day the Ministry Center will be opened to the community.

The vision of the Ministry Center grew from a need of more space to house the Clothes Closet into a place where many activities can be held to minister to our townspeople.

The First Baptist Church purchased the building in March.  Remodeling began with a grant given by the Amarillo Ministry Foundation. Many people of the community have donated building materials, furnishings and many hours of labor.

The Ministry Center hosted the community by serving the Depression Dinner on the 4th of July.  Even amidst the construction the community enjoyed friendly fellowship and feasted on beans and cornbread.   The Ministry Center also hosted a community wide Rummage Sale.

We would like to express our appreciation for the donated items. All the proceeds of these two events were used to purchase building materials for the center.

We would especially like to express our appreciation to Jim Shadle, Jason Web, and Larry Helms for the work done to texture and paint the walls.

The Ministry Center will house the Clothes Closet, an all ready established ministry of First Baptist Church.  Although the program began in First Baptist Church, the clothing truly comes from the community and is made available to members of our community as well as neighboring towns.  The clothing that is not readily used by our community is sent to another source for distribution.  Those who work in the Clothes Closet appreciate your support and donations.

You may begin bringing items to the Ministry Center on Saturdays and any evening you see someone in the center working.

As you enter the Ministry Center, you are welcomed into a meeting area furnished with couches and chairs.  This area is to be used for group meetings or Bible Studies.   We invite the community to use this facility.   The front windows will be used as a Community Bulletin Board, where announcements for community events may be posted.  

Future plans for the Ministry Center include a Food Pantry and special activities for children.  The greatest area of work is still in progress.  The back area of the building will be a large, all-purpose room.

Clarendon is blessed with many strong churches and people who want to reach out and help others.  The Ministry Center is available to be a place where these people can work together to meet the needs of our community.