RELIEF SOCIETY

In April of 1882, Franklin Evans tendered $200.00 to South Congregational Church to be used to form a new Society to be known as the South Church Relief Society. The gift was made in memory of his wife, Sarah, who had recently passed away after 39 years as a member of South Congregational Church. In June of that year, the Society was founded. The Society was to be funded by an endowment, the income of which was to “be judiciously used for the relief of the sick and needy of our membership, and also for the brother or sister who may be with us and need our aid.” Franklin Evans made several more gifts to the Society, the last of which was received in 1923.

In the 127 years since its founding, the Society, on behalf of the membership of South Church, has helped persons in need by providing, directly or through others, prescription drugs, rent, bus tickets, fuel, food, mortgage payments, medical treatment, emergency shelter, Christmas gifts to children, rides to appointments, respite care, and assistance for K-12 students for emergencies not covered in the school budget. Most recently, the Society assisted a family with a new furnace.

Often the needs of our membership, and “the brother or sister who may be with us,” exceed the income earned from the investment of the permanent fund. To meet those needs, the Society turns to the membership of South Church in a direct appeal for funds to supplement those earnings. The South Church budget provides no funds for the purposes of the Society. This appeal by the Relief Society takes the form of the February Communion Offering. Gifts placed in the Communion Offering envelopes during February will go to the Relief Society.

If a person gives $50.00 or more, and writes on or in the envelope that the giver wishes to be made a life member of the Society, the first $50.00 of the gift will be placed in the permanent fund and not used for current benevolences. The giver will be recorded as a life member or the Society. In the absence of such a request, the entire gift will be used for current assistance to the needy.

Persons who need help, or persons who know of someone who needs help, are encouraged to tell Pastors Rardin or Jauhola-Straight of that need, or to contact any member of the Relief Society Executive Committee. The Committer members are: Winnie Baker, Jean Bragg, Keith Burbank, David Fries, President, Nonnie Hall, Helen Porter, Ferd Prevost, and Wendell Minnigh.