Michelle Long

[Bishop Leonard Fairley @umcscbishop]

Summers in South Carolina are HOT. Occasionally, temperatures reach levels that pose a serious threat to the health of those who don't have a respite from the heat-especially our neighbors experiencing homelessness or living without functioning air conditioning.
O'Neal Street United Methodist Church in Newberry is doing something about that.
Led by Mary Beth Heath (who also heads their Feed Thy Neighbor Kitchen ministry), O'Neal Street UMC activates a Cooling Center ministry whenever the National Weather Service issues an extreme heat advisory.
When a heat advisory is active, the center opens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to offer:

A safe, air-conditioned refuge & restrooms
Cold water and lemonade
A simple meal (ranging from sandwiches to hearty spaghetti)
Cots for resting (prolonged heat makes sleeping at night difficult; a safe daytime nap is vital!)
"What has impressed me most is how simple the ministry is," says Pastor Ed Stallworth. "We are not solving every problem, but we are offering a safe, welcoming place where neighbors can find relief. I hope our experience encourages other churches to consider how their facilities might serve their communities during times of extreme heat."
By operating only during official heat advisories, the church maximizes impact during periods of greatest need while keeping volunteers from burning out over the summer. Because they've run this for several years, a beautiful rhythm has formed with local first responders, city communications, and neighbors helping neighbors get the word out.
Does your church offer a community cooling center during hot weather? Comment down below so we can help spread the word!
(The images pictured are of O'Neal Street's warming center offered during colder weather)
#UMCSC #CoolingCenter

[Sarah A. Ford @sarahafordesq]

Remain calm y’all but everyone’s favorite crime scene expert has now entered the Twittersphere! Please be sure to welcome @DrKennethKinsey to Twitter with a follow! So glad you joined, Kenny! #MurdaughTrial

[Michelle Long @michelleblong]

@NWSColumbia Yes, in Newberry

[Michelle Long @michelleblong]

@andrew3250 You mean Monday. Offset some hours.

[mini update live now! @honeyb_jewelry]

walmart and amazon don’t do a little happy dance everytime they get an order and that, my friends, is why you should shop small

[Michelle Long @michelleblong]

@realDonaldTrump Meanwhile, my family will bury a loved one on Wed; a death due entirely to complications from COVID-19. He took all the rec. precautions. #washyourhands #wearyourmask #youwearingamaskhelpsprotectthemostvulnerable #itisnotapartisanissue

[South Carolina @Discover_SC]

This small South Carolina city has it all! Take a detour to experience all its charms. https://t.co/gTdkVep1F5 #DiscoverSC

[Clemson Football @ClemsonFB]

When you're 🔟-0️⃣.

[Michelle Long @michelleblong]

@SamsungMobiles
Please bring back the remote control feature on your phones

#BringbackRemoteFeature #RemoteonPhone

[City of Newberry, SC @CityofNewberry]

Downtown Newberry is FULL of great, small businesses & business owners that would love to help you celebrate this week! #SmallBusinessWeek

[City of Newberry, SC @CityofNewberry]

This week in the City of Newberry:

[Nancy Williamson, CBA & Grow With Google Partner @Nancy_WebDesign]

Newberry and Prosperity and Little Mountain and surrounding areas - please join us to check your Google Maps... https://t.co/Xh8PO6SKLg

[Drew Myers @DrewMyers_]

Discussing regional issues at #Ogletree with @lexchamber @NewberryChamber @ColaSCChamber & MidState Coalition today

[Newberry Chamber @NewberryChamber]

Your Weekly Newsletter https://t.co/T3UBHWxvCb

[Forbes @Forbes]

The top states for job growth in 2016
1. Utah
2. Washington (tie)
2. Florida (tie)
4. Oregon
5. Nevada
More: https://t.co/594xvrDT3K

[terrencegallman @terrencegallman]

@VincentCoyle1 Promoting Business @NewberryChamber @fostersenn

[Newberry YP @YpNewberry]

#firsttweet ?
Newberry County Young Professionals on @LinkedIn http://t.co/qNbUNZXSFl

[Richard Viest @RViest]

@Widowed_Daisy @LadyVGrantham Season 6 is the right time to end Downton Abbey. Best wishes to Her Majesty!