by Coalition of Immokalee Workers staff

When leaders of the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) learned that this weekend's annual General Assembly was to take place in Wendy's hometown of Columbus, OH, they wasted no time planning a demonstration at a local Wendy's restaurant. Compelled by their deep values of justice and long history of standing with farmworkers since the days of Taco Bell til now, the Disciples also felt committed to urgent action by a key piece of Disciples history: Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, was himself a member of the Disciples of Christ. Read full story

Habitat ReStore benefits from Disciple workers

photo and copy by Rev. Jeff Gill, pastor, Central Christian Church, Newark OH

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio operates a "ReStore" northeast of downtown Columbus; this vast building looks like many home improvement outlets, but there's a very different feel when you step inside.

One difference is the giant "Volunteer Center" sign just inside the door. Where you might expect to find a customer service desk, the service is provided by volunteers from stocking to clerking. The Habitat for Humanity concept around the world is that sweat equity and no-interest loans are the levers that allow a family wanting a home of their own to help build it, alongside community volunteers led by churches and people of faith who pray, sing, shingle, smile, mix mud, sort studs, and get the job done.

A ReStore is where the community support in the form of donated building supplies and interior finishing materials are available to anyone for a modest price. If Habitat has more than they need for current homes, they'd like to put those supplies to work.

That takes help just to keep the shelves stacked and offerings sorted, and that's where General Assembly volunteers came in, spending a morning making sure that what might help keep a house in shape is on display.