The story of Resurrection’s Coffeehouse ministry is one of a self-described introvert who overcame her fears to help serve a group of people who society sometimes overlooks.
T
he story begins about 24 years ago. The Rev. Paul Kibler, the senior pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, N.C., attended a meeting of area pastors. At the meeting he learned about a ministry that Good Shepherd Lutheran, an ELCA church in nearby Raleigh, had begun. The ministry, called the Coffeehouse, was a gathering of adults with special needs who could come together once a month for fellowship. The ministry at Good Shepherd was drawing good attendance, and fulfilling a need. Pastor Kibler wanted to include Resurrection in the ministry, and for Resurrection congregant Kathy Rasmussen to lead the church’s efforts. Rasmussen was a special-education teacher with a daughter with autism. She seemed to him like the perfect person to head the project. However, Rasmussen was hesitant to do so.
“I’m an introvert, and it’s a nightmare for an introvert to think about throwing a party for 200 people once a month,” Rasmussen said. Still, she said, “with the help of God,” she reluctantly agreed. Resurrection’s first Coffeehouse, held with Good Shepherd’s assistance, was in January 2002. The fellowship hall was transformed; the lights were turned down low; coffee and heavy hor d’oeuvres were served; live music was performed. The event drew 40 people. Rasmussen said it was nice. Still, she said it was stressful and she felt out of her element. She decided not to continue it.
This is the part of the story where God may have had different plans. A postcard for a February Coffeehouse had already been sent out, and the card had Rasmussen’s phone number on it. She started getting lots of calls.
“I felt so bad, and I said, ‘God, if you’ll help me do this, I will.’ These people are calling out for something that they need.”
By the sixth year of Resurrection’s Coffeehouse, each event was drawing about 150 people. In the eighth year Brenda Peterson, who had also been volunteering, took over as coordinator from Rasmussen, allowing her to retreat to the kitchen to help with food prep – which she much prefers. Rasmussen says Peterson is a natural at recruiting volunteers to serve as minglers, dance partners and door watchers. She also arranges for the music, inviting choirs and bands to come perform.
When Good Shepherd began the Coffeehouse, the hope was to hold the event, which has always been free of charge, every Friday night. That goal is getting closer. Garner United Methodist church has joined what Peterson calls the Coffeehouse “movement.” Most months the three congregations are able to host one Coffeehouse event apiece.
Coffeehouse guests are either dropped off by their families or picked up by the Resurrection or Garner church vehicles. Peterson, who also has a daughter with special needs, says, “I know it’s important, and that people who come appreciate it.
“This is kind of a movement of not hiding people at home, or putting them in an institution. People have worth.”
These outreach spotlights are designed to encourage congregations to serve and love those God has placed in their community. Got a story to share about what God is doing through your congregation? Please email Robin Domeier