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Saint Andrew's Episcopal and Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Zion sit on the same Maryville block, their congregations able to eyeball one another across West Broadway, their pastors true friends.

Now with a joint food and clothing ministry getting underway, the two groups have formed an even closer bond.

Willa Estell, pastor at Saint Paul and Martha Sterne, rector at Saint Andrew's, sat in Sterne's office on a Wednesday evening prior to a fellowship potluck dinner for both congregations. They dined that evening with one another, prayed for the volunteers and workers at the food and clothing ministry and walked across Broadway to bless the building that now houses this outreach program.

Estell said it was her idea four years ago to start holding food and clothing giveaways on Saturdays at Saint Paul. She took her idea to church member Pat Valentine who Estell said " took up the idea and ran with it."

Estell and her core of volunteers provided basic needs for whoever wanted to stop by on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Then a few months ago, Estell and her congregation asked Sterne if she and Saint Andrew's wanted to come aboard.

Now each Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., needy Blount Countians can come to the new location of the charity, located in the basement of the building that houses The Book Rack used book store. Signs out front lead the way.

Estell said she was out in her parking lot one day when she struck up a conversation with Andy Tinker, owner of Pokey's and Sports, who had just purchased that building. He told her he had some space available.

The two churches split the cost of rent 50-50. A committee consisting of members of both churches was formed, and the ministry is well on its way. That committee includes Stu Hammond, Pat Valentine, Maxine Stewart, Sharon Hannum, Vivian Love, Penni Heinsohn and Nancy Cain.

Sterne is in her 10th year at Saint Andrew's; Estell is in her sixth at Saint Paul. Being across the street from one another made them acquaintances, but working together in Race Studies Circles and being part of the Blount County Ecumenical Action Council have forged a friendship. Both take away something positive

"First, Willa and I are friends," Sterne said. "We talk about stuff that I don't talk about with other people. The second thing is just getting out of the hole that you get your life in and your ministry in and remembering there is this whole big world out there and Jesus calls us to serve. I think this is really opening the doors for Saint Andrew's to be more connected."

These two churches held a joint Bible school recently and combine for fellowship dinners and other events. Estell said for her, it's all about living out God's message.

"We don't worship together all the time," the pastor said. "Sunday morning is still the most segregated time. But we do things together. I see us living out the beloved community. We are not just preaching about the beloved community but living it out. It just feels right."

Sterne agreed, saying God reaches people through different styles of worship. Connecting with others in the community is about more than where and with whom you worship on a Sunday morning.

When Estell and Saint Paul started the food and clothing ministry years ago, some thought it wasn't needed. There aren't folds of homeless people wandering our streets, but there are families barely making it and living in substandard housing while earning minimum wage. This pastor said families with children, single moms and older adults are coming and taking advantage of the ministry they are calling Jehovah-Jireh, which means God will provide.

Persons interested in helping this outreach can do so by donating personal items, like shampoo, deodorant, diapers, soap, toothbrushes, etc., Sterne said. They currently have enough clothing but also could use additional non-perishable food items. All is given away free of charge.

People coming for the food and clothing are asked but not required to fill out a form listing their name, address and phone number. They are also asked if they want prayer or a call from the faith community. Sterne said they aren't trying to shove religion down anyone's throat. This is a way for ministry to fill other needs.

Both churches have recruited about 25 volunteers who come to the food and clothing pantry each Saturday on a rotating basis. Estell said it has been exciting to see this joint ministry take flight.

"We are in a new beginning," she said.