Spirit of Hope Where Faith is a Journey Not a Guilt Trip So many of us are looking for a place to experience love. A place to meet God. A place to belong. Too often the church has been the place that turned us away because: we were the wrong color  the wrong sexual orientation  or simply because we wore the wrong clothes What we want is: A New Kind of Church What would church look like if:  We weren’t afraid to ask questions and Everyone really was welcome That's the kind of church we want to be and we invite you to help us become that church Join us in the coming weeks as we explore Reclaiming Jesus' Message for Everyone Check it out for yourself at our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/SpiritofHopeBeloit  or on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit-of-Hope/281552895230479   Sundays   10:05 at Beloit Memorial High   Meet and Eat- 9:35am Kid's Konnections (Nursery & Elementary) is Available During the Service. For More Info call or email us  hope4u@spiritofhopebeloit.com 608-312-1087         You can read more about us in the Beloit Daily News   Your Community Stories When the spirit is willing By Debra Jensen-De Hart features@belotdailynews.com Somehow, despite the rugged economy, some churches have managed to stay the course and be more active in the community than ever. One example is Spirit of Hope. Born of the now defunct Calvary Lutheran Church, I’m sure there was a fair amount of skepticism that the remaining church (congregation) would survive two years ago when the church doors closed. But a hand full of committed members lead by the Rev. Kurt Handrich have managed to keep going, grow and equally important, continue to offer good will in generous measures to the Stateline Area. In the past few weeks, several things have come across my desk announcing community-wide events the church is conducting or has completed. Here are some examples: • A night of free swimming for the family at Krueger Pool. • A fundraiser for a community member that raised $3,000. • A cookout and meet and eat time. • A two-year anniversary party. • A collection project whereby items are collected for the local food pantries. • A collection project for birthday items such as cake mixes, party favors and decorations to be given to area children. Some may be put off by the meeting place of the Spirit of Hope. They meet in the Luxury 10 theater on Sunday mornings. There’s no state-of-the art organ, no stained glass windows or gothic architecture upon which to gaze. It is basic and simple. But then come to think of it, the leader upon which all of Christianity is built didn’t get his start in a big, fancy, cathedral, either. And, it seems to me, he spoke wherever people were gathered, ready to listen and learn and willing to open their hearts. And so, kudos to the continued philanthropic efforts of this small group of congregants whose hearts and minds are in the right place at a time when every act of kindness can make a difference. Debra Jensen-De Hart is the features editor. She can be reached at 608-364-9232 or e-mailed at features@beloitdailynews.com. Copyright © 2009 - Beloit Daily News [x] Close Window                                               Do you have questions about God you were told not to ask?         Do you have doubts and uncertainties         you’ve been afraid to share?         Are you skeptical about all this God stuff?         Are you tired of a church that seems to         exclude many instead of including everyone?         Then we invite you to join us at         Spirit of Hope         a community of faith where we feel it’s ok to have questions and doubts, because we have them too.           Join us for our Next Series       as we explore         “Reclaiming Jesus' Message for Everyone”