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Mannville Community Church Clothes Closet Closes Down
Mannville Community Church Clothes Closet Closes Down
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Operating the Mannville Community Church Clothes Closet for the past seven years was a labour of love for Leslie Kenney. So, it was with great sadness and heavy heart that she had to announce its closure in mid-December.
Both Leslie and her husband Dave, Pastor of the Mannville Community Church, feel they owe a debt of gratitude to people in the community for donating clothes to the Clothes Closet. But there are many humble recipients who feel just as grateful to have had access to the free clothing service.
The last day of shopping at the Clothes Closet was Jan. 11 and the closure has been difficult. Leslie admits it’s part of the grieving process and she will dearly miss it, as dearly as she and Dave will miss the people of Mannville as the church itself will be closing in a couple of months’ time.
Leslie is relieved and thankful that Hope Mission in Edmonton had agreed to take the entire clothes inventory that will be used to supply the needs of shelters and other places where there are people in need.
As to why the church is closing? Dave explained that, “One Hope Canada is the parent organization of the church and they want to concentrate their ministry in Bible Camps, doing them well. To this end, they have been on a journey for the past half a dozen years of divesting themselves of all their churches, of which Mannville Community Church is the last one.”
He noted that, for more than 90 years, the mission had started over 150 churches in Alberta. He noted that, most of those churches are still in operation, but attached to other denominations. Additionally, One Hope Canada operates over 45 Bible Camps across Canada.
Both Dave and Leslie are both “hopeful” One Hope Canada will find a buyer for the church and it will continue to operate in that capacity.
Dave has gotten to people in the community very well since he began his ministry in Mannville more than a decade ago. “I’ve made quite a few friends,” said Dave with a smile. He held mid-week Bible study, conducted services in the church and also at the long-term care facility as well as visited people in their homes and various other places in the community.
He affectionately called it, “The Ministry of Wandering Around.” Both Dave and Leslie will miss the people in the community, who they say have been so supportive and encouraging of them and their ministry. They truly feel the people have made such a difference in their lives and it will be extremely difficult to pull up roots, but they also know God has another plan and will guide them on the next phase of their journey.
