Du Quoin Ministerial Alliance to host six Lenten services

The Du Quoin Ministerial Alliance is hosting a six week series of Lenten luncheons for the community on Fridays beginning this week on Feb. 15. The luncheons begin at noon and there will be a short devotion shared at each church. An offering will be received at each luncheon to support the work of the Ministerial Alliance in the community throughout the year.

This year the Lenten luncheons will be held on the following dates: Feb. 15 at First Baptist, 104 N. Washington St.; Feb. 22-First United Methodist, 25 N. Washington St.; March 1-First Presbyterian, 201 N. Washington St.; March 8-Liberty Church, 680 W. Main St.; March 15-St. John's UCC, 20 S. Hickory St. and March 22-Sunfield UMC, 7785 School St.

The Du Quoin Ministerial Alliance participates in a variety of ministries during the year. The Alliance helps to promote and support the following groups: Du Quoin Food Pantry, Second Baptist Church Food Pantry, Western Egyptian Food Pantry, Community Clothes Closet, Weekend Warrior, Salvation Army and the back to school ministry. The Alliance provides direct ministries with the following: coordination of Salvation Army bell ringing in Du Quoin, scholarships for Du Quoin High School graduates, transient ministry providing gas, food and lodging, referrals to community agencies and churches, Christian help, hope and prayer. And to the community the Alliance provides a Ministry of Christian witness and presence with the following: community Lenten and Thanksgiving worship services, preaching at Fair Acres Nursing Home and Fairview Nursing Center, on-call chaplains at Marshall Browning Hospital, Du Quoin Evening Call articles, WDQN radio morning devotions and Du Quoin City Council meeting opening prayers.