EDITOR’S NOTE — This article originally appeared in Fruitful, a special publication produced by TAB Media in partnership with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. View a digital copy of Fruitful here.
By Paige Hudson
Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic at Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers, several residents in particular have stepped up to the plate and persevered at Knollwood in Roanoke by helping one another cope with the isolation the pandemic has caused.
One in particular made a tremendous impact before losing her battle with COVID-19 on Sept. 17, 2021.
Cindy Brewer, a resident at Knollwood Baptist Retirement Center, felt a desire to start a “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” ministry during the coronavirus pandemic. She enlisted help from two of her friends who also live at Knollwood, Charlotte Booth and Rena Hewett.
Together they fed residents monthly with a meal on the weekend. They planned, cooked and delivered a meal to each apartment while keeping within the COVID-19 guidelines of social distancing.
There was no cost to any resident; they managed on their own resources and donations.
Giving hope
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day meals also were provided. The ladies said the meals were an outreach meant to give their neighbors hope while battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Cindy also had a vision for a monthly newsletter to help residents stay educated on important issues.
She and a few other residents met monthly to discuss what needed to be in the newsletter.
Knollwood manager LaJuana Holloway then designed and assembled each newsletter. That effort continues today, honoring Cindy’s vision.
Staying informed
The newsletter keeps residents informed about COVID-19 statistics, socially distanced bingo games, birthdays for the month, Bible verses, an easy recipe, notes from the manager and special occasions. They also include a monthly prize giveaway.
This group of friends and neighbors have delivered homemade ice cream and cotton candy, and they even held a Fourth of July party with games and treats.
But these ladies were not through! They provided cloth masks to all the residents. Charlotte sewed them using cloth donated by Cindy. Rena donated a bottle of hand sanitizer to each resident.
Mark 12:31 reminds us the second greatest commandment is “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
The ministry of Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers continues to provide a safe, Christian environment for hundreds of low-income senior adults throughout the state, in part thanks to gifts from Alabama Baptist churches through the Cooperative Program.
Following God’s lead
It is by God’s hand that our ministry continues to thrive financially, as reported by our auditors, even through the pandemic.
We look forward to where He leads in the coming year. We are thankful for the generosity of Alabama Baptists who assist us in ministering to our residents throughout the year.
Sharing the love of Christ with our residents is our Great Commission ministry. We welcome church groups to visit and share your specific talents with our residents.
At ABRC, we live and lean on Isaiah 46:4, which states, “I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age.”
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