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To the Editor:

On Christmas Day, December 25th, yes on Christmas Day, many churches in our area came together to provide a meal and fellowship for our community to anyone who chose to come.

The event is called Operation In As Much and it is based on a verse in the Bible that says basically –In as much as you have helped someone else you have helped me (Jesus).

Why do we have this event on Christmas Day?

Everyone does not have family in town or a place to celebrate with others. Everyone does not have money or gifts. Everyone does not have a Christmas meal or a meal ready for them at Christmas.

Some people need food and some need fellowship and a welcoming place to go. Because churches understand “Love your neighbor” many want to participate in showing that to our community.

“The Gathering Place”, now open at the former home of the First Presbyterian Church of Ahoskie, hosted the event this year and the following churches sponsored that event, with food, money, volunteers, kindness and love: Ahoskie Christian Center, Calvary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Ahoskie, New Ahoskie Baptist Church, Pleasant Plains Baptist Church, The Rock Church, Soul Saving Station, St. Johns 2nd Baptist Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and Second Baptist Union Church.   Thank you to all these churches, those who contributed personally, the volunteers, the people who came, and our Father in Heaven who made it all possible.

When people talk about what we don’t have in Ahoskie, I think about what we do have. We have people who care, are kind, still hold doors open for strangers and each other, and people who will help you when no one else will. I am happy to live in Ahoskie.

Pat Byrd

Executive Director

Roanoke-Chowan Christian

Women’s Job Corps

Ahoskie