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| The Christian coffee shop's creator, Gary Schweigert, left, shares fellowship, coffee and snacks with Ruth Berrill and Joe Ferro at Mary & Martha's Christian Coffee Haven in the Fellowship Hall of the United Churches. (Karen Yekel/Hot Springs Star) |
Coffee, tea, and thou
HOT SPRINGS n Spirituality moves steadily through the masses, undulating as the tributary of a river; meandering about almost unnoticed at times.
But, Gary Schweigert wants it to be noticed. That’s why he established Mary & Martha’s Christian Coffee Haven, a weekly coffee klatch at the United Churches Fellowship Hall, where anybody is welcome to share fellowship and coffee.
“Some years ago, we looked at developing a Christian restaurant,” he said of his quest. “There was a limiting God, though, when it came to the money,” said Schweigert. “After several years of being in this church (United Churches), I realized it’s already here,” he said.
Schweigert said discussions about the meeting place occurred after a study of the book, “A Purpose Driven Life.” Participants pointed out that everyone has a place to hang out, such as bowling alleys, bars, and coffee shops. “But, where do the Christians hang out?” was the question posed by Schweigert and several others.
The name, Mary & Martha’s, came from a series of Christian cookbooks called “Mary & Martha - Cookin’ Up Traditional Dishes & Faith,” featuring combinations of recipes and scripture passages.
The coffee shop opened officially on August 31, 2006, with the purpose of being an outreach ministry, and giving Christians a place for camaraderie. Ruth Birrell, who was a patron last Thursday, said she was “curious” about the shop, and thought it was a “neat opportunity” to visit and share with others.
Joe Ferro, who moved to Hot Springs recently, comes to the shop for the fellowship. “I thought it would be a great place to meet people,” he said. Ferro has been coming to the coffee shop for a month. “I saw it in the paper,” he said and was very positive about his experience in Hot Springs, a much needed balm to sooth the frayed nerves of a fractured community. “I have not met one unfriendly person in this town since we moved here,” he said, as he discussed particular incidents that impressed him.
“In Hot Springs, all the pastors of all the churches know each other, he said, and seemed surprised to notice, “They are all complimentary of each other as well.”
Schweigert was drawn to Hot Springs from Minnesota in the early 90’s for a Christian motorcycle rally near Cottonwood Reservoir. He and his wife, Kathy, started Noah’s Place. “It is a girls’ ranch that provides the opportunity to any young girl who wants to ranch and study the Bible,” he said. Schweigert also works at Castle Manor, providing ministry to the elderly through restorative care.
During the Sturgis rally, Schweigert is on call for ABC Ministries in Deadwood, providing ministerial assistance wherever needed during that event.
On any given Thursday morning in Hot Springs, though, you will find Schweigert answering the call with coffee, donuts, fruit, and even carrot sticks, as he prepares to share his strong personal faith and joy in ministry.
Mary & Martha’s Coffee Haven is open Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon. For more information, contact United Churches at 745-5640.