AME church reaches out to the Elgin community at-large

Though small in number, Faith Community A.M.E. Church is great in heart, and its can-do spirit casts a very long shadow.

Two years ago, the Elgin congregation hosted a baby shower and fundraiser to bless a local family that wasn't even attending the church but had an obvious need - Jesus and Anissa Medrano, who had just added quadruplets to the family. The tiny church raised an incredible $70,000.

Now, with only 35 regular attendees, Faith Community is poised to open a community resource center that will offer a learning center, job training, and health and wellness opportunities for the public. Details will be unveiled in April, said Pastor Garry Moss.

"There's a lot of people in this particular area that don't have cars, don't have jobs," Moss said. "I would never even have imagined that we would have the opportunity to serve the community in such a big way, but it's by the will of God that this has come to be."

He said the project has been carried by a large number of career professionals, including four with Ph.D.s, at Faith Community.

"Although we're small, it's just been really amazing how God has brought us all of these people with all these talents," he said.

With considerable talents of his own, Moss is an entrepreneur and business owner with several patents to his name. He has opened plants in China, introduced a product line for youth sporting goods, and served as speaker and consultant. The church Web site says he was named one of America's upcoming business professionals in 1992 by Dollars and Sense Magazine.

Moss was in his 40s when he headed to seminary. Eventually, he said, he found truth in the New Testament statement that living for God and living for money are incompatible.

"I decided to let the business do what the business is doing," he said, "which is nothing. I believe that I'm finally over the entrepreneurial part, and I'm serving God fully."

And, finding satisfaction and purpose in this second career. "Our place is a very warm and welcoming home for people in this area," he said.

The congregation, which meets at Otter Creek Elementary School, 2701 Hopps Road, is predominantly African-American, but also racially mixed. Denominational ties are with the historical African Methodist Episcopal Church, but Faith Community breaks with tradition when it comes to worship.

"A.M.E. church is really Methodist," Moss said. "It's kind of liturgical. We don't follow that path."

After a fellowship time with croissants and coffee, Sunday worship includes time for praise and self-reflection, and preaching is expository.

"I just really focus on the Word of God," Moss said, adding that Faith Community has a "very active" children's ministry. And, unlike the traditional black church in this country, there is no choir.

But there is plenty of opportunity.

"Everybody needs God," Moss said. "You could be rich one day and broke the next.

"One of the great challenges in today's time is that people are seeking, when they've never had to seek anything in their lives.

"This is a moment in time for our faith."

Passion-ate singing: Soprano Shellie Beeman will be in concert at Cornerstone Baptist Church for Palm Sunday worship, and the community, of course, is invited.

The award-winning singer, a lyric coloratura soprano who also works as a private voice instructor, will present "The Passion of Christ," the story of Jesus' life from birth to resurrection through sacred music.

The service begins at 10 a.m. on April 5. Cornerstone Baptist meets at Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Road, Lake in the Hills.

Passover Seder: Ha Mishkan David (The Tabernacle of David), a Messianic Jewish congregation in Pingree Grove, will observe Passover with a special Seder meal on Saturday, April 11. Anyone may attend.

Israeli music and dancing will follow the meal and worship time. Rabbi/Pastor Leora Rosenberg-Meiszner invites Hebrew Christians, especially, to "come and be refreshed in the richness of your Jewish roots."

Reservations for the Pesach meal cost $10 for adults, and children are free. For information, call (847) 464-5477 or visit www.HaMishkanDavid.org.

• "In the Spirit" covers churches and synagogues in the Fox Valley area; contact cmchojnacki@yahoo.com to submit information or ideas for upcoming columns.