Thursday, July 9, 2009 5:59 PM CDT
"Friendship Bridge" connects church family to nursing home residents
By DAWN SCHABBING
Features Writer
MATTOON — Pastor John Connett knows that things happen in God’s time, and not his.
More than four-and-a-half years ago, he envisioned “joining” the properties of the East Side Nazarene Church at 2129 S. Ninth St. to the Mattoon Health Care Center, 2121 S. Ninth St., with a “Friendship Bridge.”
Even as far back as then, residents there worshipped at East Side and nursing home staff were willing to help get them to church. Also, the church holds a Sunday school class at the rehab center for its residents.
But walking or using wheelchairs while moving down Ninth Street isn’t the best or safest idea. Plus, the two parties have a gentlemen’s agreement that the church parking lot can be used if the center needs it.
The newly constructed bridge intended for foot traffic between the two properties finally came about in recent weeks. A formal dedication of the bridge will be held on Aug. 16.
Recently, Connett was preaching about how sometimes “dreams are dealyed.” He used his example about the bridge that he’s been dreaming about for years. Timing hadn’t been right to construct it.
“Then Albert Anderson came up to me and asked why we hadn’t done it. He encouraged me to talk again with administration at the health care center. He and his wife, Queen, were clear: They wanted to make this happen,” the pastor said.
Connett said Anderson, of Charleston, has construction experience and he mostly single-handedly designed, built and funded the bridge. Plans are in place to waterproof the structure. The health care center will provide the sign for it.
Carol Boyer, administrator for the Mattoon Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, said the two sides have built a good relationship over the years.
“We were connected emotionally; now this will give us a physical connection,” said Boyer.
The pastor’s wife, Lou Connett, teaches the Sunday school class at the center, and Boyer said the dining room is packed on those days.
Anderson said he was happy to help. He and his wife discussed it, and then he got busy.
“That same day, I went home and started drawing up some plans and proceeded to get quotes for materials needed,” Anderson said.
“My wife had to leave for California due to an emergency, and was unable to supervise the project,” he said jokingly.
It took three days to complete. Ne-Co Asphalt of Charleston donated the approaches at cost.
Anderson said that although the bridge — which is 70 feet long and 4 feet wide — was built by a man, God was involved the whole time.
“There were times when I would get pretty tired, but something kept pushing me,” he said. “Of course, Queen would call me and give me a shove now and then, too.”
The Friendship Bridge will help connect the parties involved — even more.
“It is an exciting thing for us. It is a positive thing. We have formed a great relationship with the health care center and its residents. It’s also a source of excitement for the residents as they’ve learned about it,” said John Connett. Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.
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Kamfong wrote on Jul 17, 2009 8:34 PM: