Grief reaches out to inspire faith, hope

A heartfelt ministry celebrated its fourth anniversary last week, at Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights, confirming a mother's instinct that serving others would restore her faith and broken heart.

It was four years ago, the day before her son Timothy's birthday, that Marian Alvarado of Prospect Heights took clothing down to the Lakeview Shelter in Chicago, to work through her grief over losing Timothy in an automobile accident.

From the connections made at the shelter, a church outreach has evolved. Every two weeks, a bus drives to Chicago's lakefront area to bring homeless men and women out to Arlington Heights for a mix of worship, food, clothing and Bible study.

What started out with a few people on a 21-seat church bus, has grown so big, that by now, church members lease a 72-seat bus, and generally fill it to capacity, supporters say.

"There's no fanfare or publicity," says church member Pam Reed of Arlington Heights, "but by word of mouth it continues to grow and bless."

Church members call it "Timothy's Ministry," and different groups within the congregation step forward to host the twice-monthly luncheons. Somehow, they say, there always seems to be enough food.

Typically, the bus arrives in time for the church's 11 a.m. Sunday worship service, which leads into the lavish buffet luncheon. From there, guests may attend a Bible study session before visiting a clothing room staffed with volunteers and loaded with donations from church members.

"There have been some remarkable stories in that room," Reed adds, "of specific items in odd sizes being needed -- and there they are."

Last week's anniversary drew 70 people from Chicago, and during the luncheon many of them spontaneously shared their stories with people in the room.

Often guests describe their feelings at being welcomed by the group, and the sense of family they have discovered, while others talk of rediscovering their faith.

For church members, the quiet ministry started by a grieving mother has grown to inspire many in the congregation, and uplift countless people in Chicago.

"It's a beautiful ray of hope," Reed says, "in the lives of a growing number of men and women."