Diner owners step up to help Christ Church

NORTH CANAAN — Last Sunday, members of Christ Church were prepared to take a vote on whether or not to close their doors. Upkeep of the historic Episcopal church had become too much for the dwindling congregation.But what they lack in money they make up for in spirit, and a member who is always passionate about doing what is right has stepped up to become their inspiration.Since the story of the church’s plight appeared in The Lakeville Journal in January, the church has received some of the hoped for attention from the community. Ideally, an influx of new members to the beautiful buildings and upbeat worship would guarantee a future. Congregation members said they were grateful to the many who have expressed their sympathies or offered fond memories.Then North Canaan resident Ameen-Storm Abo-Hamzy arrived. He spoke with church members after the Feb. 5 service. He offered lots of ideas for fundraising, reaching out to the community and bringing in new members. Then he hit them with the kicker: He and his family would begin the next day donating 10 cents from every meal served at their family business, the Collins Diner. Ironically, it is that historic diner across the street from the church that has kept Abo-Hamzy and his family from attending church regularly.“We’re always there running the diner,” he said in an interview Feb. 6. “but it’s our church. I went to Sunday school there as a kid. It will always be our church. Beyond the sentimental, it is a beautiful, unique, historic building, just like the diner. “It was designed by the same architect who designed Trinity Church in New York. And especially now that the Depot is going to be up and running again, it would be horrible to risk losing that church to privatization, or even being torn down.”The diner is a solid business but this is certainly not the story of a family and a businessman who won’t even notice that extra 10 cents per meal.“This is simply about doing what I know is right,” Abo-Hamzy said. “I am hoping to start something. It would be lovely if other businesses or people in the area would do something similar. If everyone could just help raise money, attend services, bring a friend and spread the word, we could really make a difference.”Among Abo-Hamzy’s ideas are adding musical or other inspirational performances to services, and other ways to attract younger people. In addition to his work at the family diner, Abo-Hamzy was a longtime wrestling coach at the high school and a poet and teacher of poetry.“I’m hoping our small efforts at the diner will be contagious. If you can feed a nation with one grain of rice, we can save Christ Church.”In a letter, Senior Warden Lynn Curtis wrote that church members were energized by Abo-Hamzy’s ideas and his willingness to help implement them.“Christ Church is blessed by the Hamzys’ kindness and humbled by their generosity,” Curtis wrote. “ We also pray that others may hear our call for help as the Hamzys did. Please patronize the Collins Diner.”

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