April 17, 2011

SIKESTON -- Later this month, a bug will be passing through Sikeston. But instead of crippling the community, it will spread hope -- through service and celebration. "It's just an idea that came to us at First United Methodist Church last fall," said Brad Aycock, worship coordinator and one of the Hope Epidemic organizers. "We wanted to do something that would have a major impact on this community."...

Brad Aycock, worship coordinator and one of the organizers of the April 30 Hope Epidemic, holds up one of the T-shirts that will be given to the first 1,000 volunteers. The daylong event will stress service and celebration in the community.  (Michelle Felter, Staff)
Brad Aycock, worship coordinator and one of the organizers of the April 30 Hope Epidemic, holds up one of the T-shirts that will be given to the first 1,000 volunteers. The daylong event will stress service and celebration in the community. (Michelle Felter, Staff)

SIKESTON -- Later this month, a bug will be passing through Sikeston. But instead of crippling the community, it will spread hope -- through service and celebration.

"It's just an idea that came to us at First United Methodist Church last fall," said Brad Aycock, worship coordinator and one of the Hope Epidemic organizers. "We wanted to do something that would have a major impact on this community."

Hope Epidemic is a daylong event set for April 30.

One of the big ideas behind the Hope Epidemic is to "get us outside of the church walls," said Aycock. "The church is not the building -- the church is the people. This is something that we are doing to show kindness and love to our community."

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