It all started with a question from a neighboring church: “Can we use your parking lot?”
Cheryl Daly, from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, consistently had excess food from her church’s Blessings Bags ministry. She dreamed of hosting a free pop-up farmers market, but her church didn’t have a suitable space. She reached out to Shelli Flowers Towey at Prospect UMC, who led a monthly soup luncheon, and asked, “Can we give produce away when you do your soup?” Towey in turn asked her pastor, the Rev. Sterling Eaton, who immediately said yes. From that single moment of gracious hospitality, a brand-new ministry—Hope Thru Wholeness—was born.
God is Doing Amazing Things With this Initiative.
Two years later, the farmers market has grown exponentially. “God is doing amazing things with this initiative,” Rev. Eaton remarked. “Nonprofits hear about it and want to be a part of what we have going on. Now more than 40 vendors and nonprofits are part of the network of people who show up to nurture the community.”
At the April event, organizations like the local library, St. Stephen’s, Family Support Line, and Helping Hands were present to share what they had been given with the community. But nonprofits weren’t the only ones populating the tables—individuals also came to share their gifts and uplift others.
God Provides in the Face of Government Budget Cuts
Two Philadelphia-area food rescues—Share and Share Excess—purchase produce directly from farmers. But $8 million in food support for the state of Pennsylvania was recently slashed from the federal budget. These cuts hurt both farmers and the organizations trying to help.
At the April market, four pallets of food that were supposed to be delivered never arrived. “Food is going to be rotting on the vine,” lamented Rev. Eaton.
Rev. Eaton and Ms. Towey are concerned about how these cuts will affect their ministry. They are working on building a relationship with Caring for Friends, another group that donates food but does not provide delivery—a challenge for the small congregation, which lacks a pickup truck. They plan to use their Journey of Wholeness grant to supplement the food they receive from other sources.
Still, they place their hope in God’s providence. “We are working it out; we are working through it. The support from the neighborhood is amazing.”
Bringing More Services to the Community
As the market continues to grow and the partnerships deepen, Rev. Eaton has his eyes on the next horizon. He is working towards a health symposium in the fall with immunization clinics, a dental truck, and CPR and First Aid classes.
Prospect UMC stands as a living example of what can happen when faith meets action. What began as a simple question—“Can we use your parking lot?”—has blossomed into a vibrant ministry that feeds bodies, nurtures spirits, and builds lasting relationships. In a world facing deep divisions and growing needs, Hope Thru Wholeness reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful transformation begins with an open heart, a shared table, and the willingness to say “yes.”
Your Generosity Helps Others
By supporting your local congregation’s outreach ministries, you impact lives of your surrounding communities and those around the world. No matter what part of the world we live in, your generosity can reach across oceans and help churches like Prospect UMC help those that are less fortunate.
excerpt from a story by Sarah Borgstrom Lee, Prospect UMC
This story represents how United Methodist local churches through their Annual Conferences are living as Vital Congregations. A vital congregation is the body of Christ making and engaging disciples for the transformation of the world. Vital congregations are shaped by and witnessed through four focus areas: calling and shaping principled Christian leaders; creating and sustaining new places for new people; ministries with poor people and communities; and abundant health for all.
