Greater Dimension Ministry reaches out with picnic event

Glenda Eason belongs to a praise team and the choir at Greater Dimension Church of God in Christ in Cape Girardeau. But the soprano is not interested in singing solo.

"Oh no," she laughs, "Nooooo. I don't do solos."

Eason prefers working as part of a group, whether that's shepherding her five grandchildren when they visit or directing the Pastor's Aid Society of Greater Dimension Ministries, which works to raise money for church expenses.

She accepted the Pastor's Aid Society's directorship in May. The Rev. William Bird, Eason said, is "my dad in the gospel." As director she must find ways to raise funds for everything from travel to robes to a week-long celebration of Bird's 26th anniversary as the church's pastor. He's been a minister for more than 40 years.

Eason's first idea was an old-fashioned barbecue on July 28. She tapped nearly 20 fellow church members to prepare the ribs, a slew of desserts and side dishes. Each heaping plate cost $9. Eason said she hoped to raise between $1,800 and $2,000, but she went over the goal.

"It was a huge success," she said. "We had people asking if we could do this every week."

She said her mother, Irene McBride, and church member Beulah Van Perry were key to the barbecue's success.

"I could not have done it without them or any of my team," she said,

The success of her first major Pastor's Aid project has spurred her confidence for the next one, a community picnic and concert starting at 11 a.m. on Aug. 18 at Capaha Park.

The church used to do an annual picnic for members only, but hasn't had one in the last two or three years, Eason said.

The food -- expect hamburgers and hot dogs with summer side dishes -- will be free, but Eason would like to see some goodwill offerings.

She's planning lots of games for children of all ages, including basketball, softball, volleyball, egg tossing and relay races for the renewed event.

But this year Eason also wants to add a gospel concert, featuring the church's 20-member choir but inviting other church choirs to join in.

Greater Dimension has nearly 400 members, but Eason wants to see new faces among the familiars.

"It's an effort to reach out to the community," she said. "I would love for people to get involved."

Eason is already immersed in planning for Bird's upcoming anniversay. From Oct. 22 through 26, the church will hold nightly services to honor Bird. The celebration extends to a 6 p.m. Oct. 27 pastoral banquet at Drury Lodge. Banquet tickets cost $35. After regular services at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 28, the church will hold a formal anniversary service at 4 p.m. Eason is pulling together a memory book and hopes to fund the printing through ad sales.

She said she hopes to hear from people interested in the upcoming picnic or the anniversary celebration. Call the church office at 334-0616 or Eason directly at 243-1893 or 225-3900.

Services are at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at Greater Dimension, 723 Hackberry St. in Cape Girardeau.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

(573) 335-6611 ext. 127