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roeviile Mall Ministry's Talk Sfibp a helping hand — you can hold it if you need — made of different religious fingers.“We provide compassionate listening and referral services to people who have problems, says Teresa Schwart2, 57, a Jewish woman who runs the shop. It’s an'outreach backed by about 30 east suburban congregations — Jewish. Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, you name it From these come most of the 45 volunteers who take turns stepping into the little blue boothShop smack dab in the heart of the mall He's since moved on. and the Talk Shop has, too, to us current, more out of the-way location The ministry’s not complaining, mind you. It's thankful to be allowed to stay Schwartz’s administrative predecessors have included two ministers (Methodist and United Church of Chnst), other lay persons (Methodist and Lutheran) and a Catholic nun But, she says. One thing we don't do is we don't preach Headstones get personal touchhim through roasting a chicken.The Talk Shop, with a budget of less than 510,000 — handled 9.400 ‘’contacts’’ last year — in person or over the phone “Actually, 9,401, Schwart2 says. The volunteers record them on lined white sheets by type. “Bus Schedule Information. “Marriage/Family Problems/Discussion/’ “Social Visits” and so onOn a separate sheet, the volunteers can elaborate on what happened on their three-hour shifts They’re asked to work at least twice a month No, they’re not professional counselors, Paul says, but they're trained how not to give advice and not judge others “About a third of the contacts had to do with people’s lives, feelings, concerns and so forth, Paul adds Some are senoustuuiiiv ncdiui utfpAiuiieui tuiuone of the experts who helps the ministry with its annual training, says its volunteers have a good reputation for providing appropriate referrals “They are a real service. ... I think they’re really interested and committed to what they’re doing ’’Paul and Schwartz agree that the location and anonymity make the ministry attractive to many clientsVolunteers must be ready for anything.One woman called Schwartz and asked, a bit sheepishly, if praying to St Jude might heal her bunion. Schwartz says she and the woman explored the question open-mmdedly “Final-1}, the bottom line was. she wouio try n, out li ner oumon wasn’t better in 18 days, she’d better try* 2 podiatrist ”
Newspaper Details
Doylestown Intelligencer
Doylestown, Pennsylvania, US
Mon, Jan 29, 1990
Page 52
Full Page
Clipped by
Margaret R.
PA, USA 21 Feb 2019
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