By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

WESTWOOD - The Third Presbyterian Church in East Westwood is proof that small churches can do big things.

The predominately African-American church, located a 3358 McHenry Ave., has only about 30 regular members but is ministering on a daily basis to 50 to 60 youth in the neighborhood.

"At the moment, we don't even have a pastor, but we're really kicking," said Rodney Christian, 36, a volunteer at the church who grew up in Westwood but now lives in Silverton.

Christian arrives daily at the church at about 4 p.m. to let the youth in to use the basement as a recreational center.

"The kids just swarm my truck when I pull up," he said. "It's really a very popular place, because there's not another recreational center in the area. At first I thought it was the activities, but it's the love that we give them that keeps them coming back."

Christian doesn't just play basketball and games with the children. He also talks to them about such issues as being respectful and helping out their parents.

"Some people say I live there. I'm doing God's work, so I don't mind it at all," Christian said.

During the school year, the youth come to the church for tutoring on Wednesday nights. In the summer that becomes a reading program.

Frank Sower, 65, of Fort Thomas, has been volunteering at the church for the Wednesday night events for about nine years after the Presbytery of Cincinnati called and asked him to get involved. He enjoys spending time with the children and teenagers.

"You think you're giving them something, but after you do it, you feel like you're receiving more than you give," said Sower.

Christian said the ultimate goal for he and Reggie Roberts, an elder who is helping lead the church, is to bring the children and their families into church on Sundays.

This weekend, after the regular 10:45 a.m. service on Sunday, the church will host a picnic for families.

For more information about Third Presbyterian, call 661-8070.

Author speaks at church

Trina Paulus, author of Hope for the Flowers, will speak Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church, 2710 Newtown Road, Newtown.

Paulus, an artist and environmental activist, will read from the book and speak on environmental concerns as part of the church's regular service.

The theme for Sunday's Independence Day service will be celebrating interdependence - the connection of human beings with all living creatures and the Earth.

For more information, call the church at 231-8634.

Minister from Africa here

The Rev. Henry Muzhari, pastor of the 5,000-member Family of God Church in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will speak today and Sunday as part of a community crusade by the Christian Family Tabernacle Church.

Today from noon to 6 p.m., Muzhari will give workshops on leadership and marriage at the Days Inn, 2880 Central Parkway, Clifton.

Then on Sunday at 11 a.m., he will preach at the regular service of the Christian Family Tabernacle Church, said the Rev. Cephas Nyemba, pastor of the church.

"We are really blessed to have him. He has made his ministry in raising leaders and what he has to say is for every Christian," Nyemba said.

Both events are free and open to the public.

To submit religion news, e-mail kbvance@adelphia.net or send a fax to 755-4150.