For 100 years the little church at the corner of Lakeville and Hosner roads has stood as a silent testament to the faith of a community.
Since 1903, generations upon generations of Christians of various denominations have called the Addison Township Community Church their spiritual home – a simple gathering place where humble folks can worship in peace and enjoy the fellowship of a small, rural congregation.
As the non-denominational church heads into its second century, new programs are being initiated to continue and expand the local insitution’s positive effect on people’s lives.
One of those programs is called Moms in Touch, a group of mothers who meet once a week to pray for children, schools, teachers and administrators.
The Addison group is part of the California-based Moms in Touch International, which was founded in 1983 and has prayer groups in all 50 states and 90 foreign countries. Approximately 22,000 U.S. schools are covered by local Moms in Touch groups, according to the website www.momsintouch.org.
“The kids in our schools need prayer,” said Rebekah Thompson, founder of the local group and church worship leader and treasurer. “If we as moms don’t do it, who’s going to?”
Christians of all denominations, working mothers, stay-at-home mothers, grandmothers, anyone who has the “heart to pray for kids and schools” is welcome in the group, she said.
“Praying with other moms in one accord really makes you feel like you’re making an impact,” said Thompson, who was member of a Moms in Touch group in Romeo for three years. “The benefit to me is knowing I’m doing something for the kids and schools.”
Thompson said the unity of the prayer group and togetherness it inspires allows its members to “become close friends and confidants.”
“You feel like you’re really sharing your whole heart with them,” Thompson said.
The prayer group generates a safe environment in which members feel free to express themselves in a completely open and honest manner, secure in the knowledge that whatever they say remains confidential and private.
“We have a rule, ‘Anything prayed in group, stays in group,’” Thompson said.
In addition to Moms in Touch, Thompson said two new bible study groups are also forming at the church.
The first is a “family evening bible study” that will allow “time for parents and kids to learn God’s word together in a fun environment,” she said.
Church Elder Doug Thompson called the new group “unique” because “most bible studies are either gender or age specific and this is encompassing the whole family.”
Thompson said each study session will involve a “simple kid-friendly dinner” (such as “pizza, chicken subs”) provided by the church, so parents don’t have to worry about rushing around to feed their children beforehand.
“We want to make it easier for the parents. More relaxing,” she said.
A second bible study group geared specifically towards women is also in the works. It will take the form of either a “coffee club” or “scrapbooking club.”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Thompson said. “It will be something fun where women can enjoy fellowship and learn God’s word.”
However, just because the century-old church is introducing new programs, doesn’t mean its forgotten its traditions or roots. At noon on Sunday, Nov. 2, the church will conduct its annual Harvest Festival.
The church began holding its yearly Harvest Festival in the 1940s, when workers from the Detroit Rescue Mission came out to the church to sing and play guitar. Church members would bring fruits and vegetables they had canned or fresh items from their gardens to send back to the Rescue Mission.
Ladies would decorate the church with flowers and vegetables and there was always a big potluck dinner.
This year’s Harvest Festival still features a potluck dinner, plus games for the kids such as “pumpkin bowling” and pi’atas, and of course, a good, old-fashioned hayride.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Thompson said. “Everybody is welcome.”
For more information about any of the above programs, events, or the church itself, Thompson can be contacted at (248) 236-9067.