By Derika Upshaw, Fort Hood Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas — The Religious Support Office’s Community Connections program was in full swing Sept. 4 providing the community with ways to connect through faith and fellowship.
“Community Connections is a religious education program that provides individuals and families the opportunity to dine, dialogue and develop their spiritual fitness together,” said Garrett Northway, director of religious education. “We offer studies and activities for children, youth and adults.”
The weekly program offers something for all ages. Children can take part in Awana, a global Christian club that combines games, lessons and scripture to help kids grow in their faith. Younger children are cared for in watch care, a supervised setting that provides age-appropriate activities while parents attend classes.
Dominique Small, an Army spouse, has been attending the Community Connections program for two years and loves the benefits the experience offers her and her family.
“We get a free meal once a week where I don’t have to worry about cooking, which is nice,” she said. “Issac (Small’s son) last year started Awana (club), and he’s really enjoyed that. Evie (Small’s daughter) has been in watch care the whole time, and she calls this her ‘Jesus time.’ Now this is her church because she just enjoys it that much.”
In addition to youth activities, adults can choose from six classes: a marriage study group, an Understanding Worldviews seminar, a Book of Mormon study, a Spanish-speaking devotional group, a Buddhist chanting group and a Ladies Refit fitness group.
“This semester offers programs for Buddhists, Christians, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and even nonreligious individuals,” Northway said. “All are welcome to attend, and if we do not currently offer a study for a particular religious group, we are willing to try to accommodate that group, provided we can find leadership for it.”
For Crystal Jones, a surviving spouse of a Navy veteran, said joining Community Connections this semester was a step toward honoring her late husband’s wishes and building a new routine for her family.
“I homeschool our two children, 6 and 9 year-old boys,” she said. “My husband battled a three-year battle with cancer, so we had to basically focus on him for the last three years, and since he’s passed, I’ve been trying to just get out in the world, and get my children around kids their age. So, I’m trying to just find different things that we can get into with like-minded people.”
Community Connections are held 5-7:30 p.m. every Thursday, starting with dinner. For more information, contact RSO at (254) 288-6545 or visit the Fort Hood Garrison Facebook page. facebook.com/forthoodarmy.
