thedailytimes.com : Your 24/7 news source

At Alcoa First United Methodist, senior pastor Joe Green and his congregation have just emerged from a building project spanning over three years only to jump back into one more.

But this one isn't for a new sanctuary or classroom construction. The members, young and old, are combining with others within the Maryville District of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church to sponsor and build two Habitat for Humanity homes in Alcoa.

It is estimated that $84,000 will be needed for these two projects, along with several volunteer hours for on site construction. At Alcoa FUMC, the first of what could be many more fundraisers is being held Friday and Saturday. Members of the community are invited to a rummage sale beginning at 8 a.m. each day. Inside the church gymnasium, bargains galore are waiting.

Jerry Sundahl, a member at Alcoa, along with several others, were busy this week hauling, sorting, moving, hanging and arranging the donated items. There is furniture, kitchen gadgets, children's and adult clothing, art, bedding, cameras, electronics and more. Sundahl said his church hopes to raise $20,000 with its various events. A silent auction is planned in a couple of weeks.

Green said Alcoa FUMC has participated in eight other Habitat builds. This one comes at a time when the church is finishing up a major project of its own. Doubling in size with the addition of a new 650-seat sanctuary and several classrooms, the church looks forward to growing its congregation and being able to step into this latest Habitat project located not far from its doors.

Sundahl commandeers several family members for Habitat builds and will do the same this time. He said many are experienced builders while others are like himself.

"They need people like me to hand them stuff -- nails, 2-by-4s," Sundahl said. "I can be the mule."

The first of the Habitat houses is already underway on Bell Street in Alcoa. Sundahl said it will probably be under roof in a couple of weeks. The site for the second house hasn't been selected.

Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit Christian housing ministry, has been in Blount County since 1992.

Jim Cobb, volunteer coordinator for this Maryville District project, said there are about 64 churches in the district, and all have been contacted about making a contribution.

"Each one has been asked to make at least a $40 donation," Cobb said. "The magic thing about $40 is that's the cost of one square foot."

Maryville First United Methodist, Alcoa, Broadway United Methodist and Fairview United Methodist were the four original churches who signed on for this Habitat build. They are the largest churches in the District. So far, Cobb said 19 churches have responded with plans to contribute financially or with volunteers, or both.

When things really get going, there will probably be 200 to 300 volunteers involved, he estimated.

Their first opportunity for hands-on helping will come Saturday morning when work to get the walls up begins at the Bell Street home. It is being built for Angela Jennings and her son.

Large churches like Fairview have often taken on Habitat builds alone. This one that is banding together congregations from across the District is just a little bit different.

"Most builds are partnerships between churches," Cobb said. "This time we are involved with a lot of partners."