The Rev. Bill King translates love into action in Clanton
Now when I see that giant orange peach at the Clanton exit along Interstate 65, I will not only think about how delicious those peaches are, I will also think of the generosity and goodwill of the people in that area.
I drove to Trinity Episcopal Church in Clanton on a recent cold and cloudy day, and I noticed a line of people spilling out the front door. It included young and old, white and black, those with family and others who were alone. Some of the faces looked like they had fallen on rough times, but they were smiling with eyes full of contentment.
They will not be hungry for a few days.
The Rev. Bill King and volunteers from his 90-member congregation at the small-town church provide food for about 150 families every month through their Beans & Rice Ministry.
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“Today we are doing our monthly sharing of about a ton and a half of food that we’ve gathered to feed the hungry. We do this because we’ve found that if you feed the hungry, then you are closer to the kingdom,” King said.
The Beans & Rice Ministry started in Arkansas at Prairie Grove Presbyterian Church outside of Fayetteville, pastored by King’s brother, John King. Now, the ministry feeds the bodies and souls of many families in the area once a month. They are never asked questions, just welcomed and given food and lots of smiles, hugs and love.
On that day at Trinity Episcopal, volunteers handed out bags of beans, rice, sweet potatoes, bread and other staples. Twenty-five percent of the people in Chilton County do not have enough food, according to public health data.
King is not only feeding the hungry people of the area, he is reviving the church. Since he started pastoring Trinity Episcopal in 2003, it has grown from a few members to almost 100.
“Today we celebrate our 22nd anniversary as a congregation. I started ministering here in 2003. At that time this church had five or six members, and it was as poor of a church you could have and still be open,” he said. “The church did grow after a while. Something else that grew was our Rice & Beans Ministry. Fifteen other parishes around the country now do the same ministry. We are also the only church in the state offering free laundry service once a quarter to anyone in need of clean clothing.”
Laundry Love is another ministry King and his congregation provide for the community, partnering with the Suds-Are-Us Laundromat in Clanton. It is a national ecumenical service helping the poor and homeless.
“Today we are a very viable church that has the resources to make a difference in the lives of people, but also spiritually make a difference in the lives of our members and their families. That gives me a lot of energy,” King said.
He is doing this with his church for one reason.
“When we feed the hungry, we just provide a ministry of love. That is what the church is all about, feeding bodies and hearts and minds,” King said.
That giant orange peach on I-65 will always be a reminder of how love should be translated.
For information and to donate or volunteer click here.
Alabama Bright Lights captures the stories, through words, pictures and video, of some of our state’s brightest lights who are working to make Alabama an even better place to live, work and play. Award-winning photojournalist Karim Shamsi-Basha tells their inspiring stories. Email him comments, as well as suggestions on people to profile, at karimshamsibasha@gmail.com.
