Mayor Bill Bunten, right, of Topeka with homeowners Steve and Loretha and two of their granddaughters at the blessing of the house. (photo by Rev. Evelyn Fisher)
A Topeka family will have their own home for the first time thanks to the efforts of a dozen Topeka area United Methodist churches. The home is the first rehab project of Topeka Habitat for Humanity.
Participating Topeka churches included First, Countryside, Big Springs, Berryton, Highland Park, Stull, Lowman, Susanna Wesley, Kansas Avenue, University, New Hope, St. Peters and Meriden UMC.
The house blessing for the home of Steve and Loretha and their grandchildren was Dec. 10. Mayor Bill Bunten, a member of Topeka First UMC, read scripture and made remarks at the event. Other participants included Topeka District Superintendent Rev. Evelyn Fisher and the project coordinator for the churches Don Daniels of Countryside UMC. Also present was Don Schaeffer, a member of Meriden UMC, and a new Habitat board member. His countless hours of labor and gift of construction expertise made the project possible.
At the house blessing, Loretha thanked the United Methodist churches for their contributions of time and labor, saying she and her family are blessed by the gift.
The Watkins family contributed 300 hours of “sweat equity” and will make payments on an interest-free mortgage until the home is theirs.
Fisher said the outreach project helped fulfill the mission to “transform the world” by transforming “one little corner” of Topeka.
