Oliver Bunker understands the dichotomy facing many people in need.
We grow up teaching people to be independent and self-supportive, said Bunker, deacon at St. Timothys Episcopal Church in Iola. Its tough for us to be brought up that way and to reach out to people and say, Im in need of prayer.
Bunker hopes a new prayer box at St. Timothys will allow folks to do just that.
The church erected a community prayer box outside its front door at 202 S. Walnut St.
The small, red box has with it a stack of blank cards and a pen.
Anybody is invited to stop by, day or night, fill out the card and drop it in the slot.
They can put their prayer in there for whatever they need, Bunker explained. It can be anonymous, or they can put their name with whoever or whatever their prayer is for.
The prayer box will be incorporated into the churchs weekly Prayer of the People service.
Its always a part of our regular service, Bunker said. We have probably 30 people on the list, in the church or friends of the church in need. Well add the prayer cards to our list.
The idea came after Bunker visited St. Timothys sister church, St. Johns Episcopal Church in Parsons.
I really liked the idea of just having something for people to put a prayer in for anybody at any time, he said.
And if the power of prayer isnt enough, the church will take steps through its other outreach services, such as its regular community mills, or its Red Box program.
The community meals are held at various times of the year, most recently for Cinco de Mayo, when members sold 130 dozen enchiladas as part of a fundraiser to support its other outreach efforts.
Through the Red Box, St. Timothys will assist any family in need by filling a plastic bin with food, enough to feed a family of four for a week.
All we ask, Bunker said, is they return the box to us when its empty.
