Members of Cross and Crown, Matthews, have been supporters of C.O.S.Kids, a non-profit Christian ministry supporting especially low-income, single-parent families in Matthews. The congregation has been supported in this ministry for two years with a Peeler-Casey grant from the NC Synod, and this year has included this funding in their own spending plan. Their members will not give up on this vital ministry!

Even with the pandemic restrictions that kept members from volunteering at the C.O.S.Kids’ campus, the folks in the lead in these two ministries refused to give up. Criss Ucman is the creative force behind the Art Club. When prohibited from being on campus to lead the Art Club in person, she and her team made videos of the art projects for on-campus leaders to show the kids and guide them in creating. The single-parents meal crew continued to generate menus and shop for and prepare meals; but instead of delivering and serving them in person, they packed them in family-sized servings and delivered them to the C.O.S.Kids’ campus to be picked up by parents in a drive-through.

The Spirit is indeed at work even in these days of stress and isolation. We are thankful for these faithful ministry leaders of Cross and Crown and the blessings they give and receive as they serve! Their resilience during COVID-time is an inspiration for others.

The story of the ministry of C.O.S.Kids with a spotlight on Criss is featured in the December issue of Charlotte Weekly on pages 12-13. Take a look!