Ministry provides a trim along with male bonding
Ah, the barbershop. Men discussing the news or the big game or lawn fertilizer over the snips of scissors and hum of clippers.
OK, you got me. I admit I've never actually been in such a setting, but I've peeked in, thanks to movies and TV. Floyd's barbershop in Mayberry is one that comes to mind.
That's the kind of setup Sam Rushing had in mind, too, when he started a barbershop outreach at Second Baptist Church of Elgin. On the fourth Saturday of every month, men come to the church for free haircuts and fellowship. No ladies allowed.
"We were looking for an opportunity to teach and help men meet problems from a spiritual and biblical perspective," said Rushing, chairman of the Brotherhood Ministry at the predominantly African-American congregation.
"This is a unique method to engage men and provide an informal setting for conversations and offering spiritual perspectives," he said.
"And, when I look good, I feel better about myself. We wanted to provide not only that atmosphere, but also a service to those who couldn't afford it."
Rushing said eight barbers donate their services, with at least four on board for every meeting. While they trim away, the rest of the room is discussing whether an individual's vote really counts, what God requires of men, how Tiger Woods got to be a role model or any of the burning issues of the week.
Of course, not everyone likes to chime in. "Men have problems articulating and knowing how to talk to each other," Rushing said, "so we try to provide an atmosphere where we have checkers, we have dominoes, we have Wii games, because in normal barbershops that's what you have."
The guys are making friends and bonding. They're also learning a lot about each other. At the first barbershop outreach in January, they discovered there were five licensed chefs in the ministry. Since then, the chefs have been recruited to make breakfast for the setup crew and anyone else who shows up early.
Rushing said the church has gained several members from among those who initially came just for the barbershop. As an outreach, he said, "it has been working tremendously."
The next barbershop meeting is Oct. 25 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church, 1280 Summit St., Elgin. Any man is welcome, and a young man, too, if he's accompanied by an adult. Rushing said it's not designed to be a drop-off activity for kids.
So far, it's not an equal rights opportunity, either, though Rushing said he hears numerous requests from the women of the church.
"The word got out that the fellowship was great."
Octoberfest: St. John Lutheran Church rolls out the "Wilkommen" mat this weekend for its annual Octoberfest celebration. You don't even have to be German to attend.
On Friday at 6 p.m., the McAvoy family of Queen Creek, Ariz., will perform in a free concert at the church, 13N535 French Road, Burlington. A 5K Walk/Run gets under way Saturday at 7 a.m., and traditional German foods will be served up for dinner at 4 p.m. Chicago's German brass band, Donauschwaben Blaskapelle, provides the oom-pa-pahs.
For information, call the church at (847) 683-2338.
• What's going on at your church or synagogue? Do you have an interesting program, new staff, big plans? Someone who deserves recognition or something a little out of the ordinary? Contact "In the Spirit" at cmchojnacki@yahoo.com.