Missions Spotlight: McClean Fletcher Center
For more than 20 years, Northminster has supported the important work of The McClean Fletcher Center, which is the first and only grief support program in Mississippi. It offers a supportive, nurturing environment to grieving children and teens, ages 4-18, after the loss of a loved one or special person in their lives.
They are offered a safe place in peer support groups where they can interact with others who have experienced similar losses, learn lifelong coping skills, and, most importantly, begin a healthy healing process.
The Center’s bi-weekly program sessions begin with families, staff, and volunteers sharing a meal, providing an opportunity for fellowship and bonding. Afterward, children and teens are placed in age-appropriate groups, where they meet for activities such as open discussions, art, music, games, reading, expressive writing, and journaling. Adult caregivers meet separately in the center.
Over the years, members of our congregation have volunteered as group facilitators and we have contributed financially to their mission. This fall, we are engaging in service as we run a Fall Costume Drive for their costume closet, which serves as a playful outlet for all their clients–from the youngest children to the teens, who occasionally enjoy squeezing into a costume.
While you’re out shopping this month for your Halloween costume, grab an extra or donate past years’ costumes from your family’s closet. You can also grab a discounted costume in November! They only ask that none of the donations depict scary or gory characters or ideas. We will be collecting donations from October 25 to November 15, during which you can place your donations in the bins located around the church.
If you have any questions, please contact Masyn Evans-Clements at masyn@northminsterbaptist.org.
PS–If you don’t have any costumes to donate but still want to help, feel free to check out McClean Fletcher’s public Amazon Wishlist!
