Eye On Business
Friends of the Gazette
City of Jamestown
Fenton History Center
Fredonia Opera House
Heritage Ministries
Infinity Visual & Performing Arts, Inc.
Audubon Nature Center
Jamestown Public Schools
Northwest Arena
Lucy Desi Museum
Lutheran Social Services
Robert H. Jackson Center
Roger Tory Peterson Institute
The Resource Center
From the Locker Room
Hubert Funeral Home
Lind Funeral Home
About JTG
Editor: Walt Pickut
Faith Matters: Pastor Scott Hannon
Faith Matters: Pastor Shawn Hannon
Finding Your Family
Join Me In The Kitchen
Martz/Kohl Observatory
The Everyday Hunter®
I ❤ my Hometown
Whine of the Week
Remembering Brooklyn Square
Jamestown Gazette
Home Contributing Writers One of Our Own – Chloe Smith
One of Our Own – Chloe Smith
Katrina Fuller
Chloe Smith
Candles dance softly atop the fireplace, a soothing flicker of light cast across the floor. The warm and inviting home is only a projection of the spirit of love that resides there, kindled by the kind and giving woman perched comfortably on the couch. A welcoming smile adorns her face, but not so much as the peace of God that resides in her eyes. "Come in, come in," Chloe Smith, the Assistant Pastor at Zion Tabernacle church, beckons. Her arms always open to support and console; she lifts the spirits of many with merely a glance and a kind word. "It's so good to see you."
"I've been here all my life," she says with a smile. Chloe attended Love Elementary School as a child, followed by Washington Junior High, and later Jamestown High School. "I had such wonderful teachers all throughout school – I loved school." She cites her favorite subjects as English and Science, "If I had to choose!"
After graduation, Chloe went right to work, running the After School Program at Love School and directly helping the students as a paraprofessional in the classroom. "That has been my whole life – education at both Love School and Washington." Giving back to the community through education has been a huge portion of Chloe's life, impacting children and their families for many years.
Chloe has also been deeply involved in the religious community throughout her life, starting out at a young age. "I grew up in the North Main Street Church of God as a child – a lot of people in that church were very influential in my life. I just remember how loving and accepting they were – they helped me believe in myself." An active member of the church, Chloe was very involved and has always held a very strong faith.
Later, she was invited to take part in AGLOW International, a women's ministry organization. "I got to be on the board, and eventually became the President." Very active in this effort to minister to women, Chloe remembers fondly her time in the Jail Ministry program. "That was the highlight," she recalls. "You wouldn't think you would have a lot in common with them – but a lot of them were just women who had made a series of mistakes. You hope you made a difference in their lives – they made a difference in mine." AGLOW International also offered clothing and food give aways during Chloe's tenure. "A lot of people would come to that," she says. "Women, girls, teens – they all participated and came together."
Chloe is excited that in the coming months, she will be ordained at Zion Tabernacle Church as an Associate Pastor. "I always wanted to teach – I didn't know it would come in the form of pastoring!" she says with a laugh. She has been working hard on her ordination, teaching lessons, studying the Bible and explaining her beliefs. "You have to be well versed in the Bible," she explains. In addition to her Ordination work, she also teaches Sunday school and preaches every Sunday at 7 pm. "We just did a Christmas program," she says with a smile. "We also had a horse and carriage ride with the kids – people were coming out on their porches and waving…it was a lot of fun."
Chloe also speaks at a wide range of Churches in the area, sharing her faith and compassion with the community. "I am grateful that it is all different denominations; that it's not separate, but we all come together." The next opportunity to see her speak will be January 18th, 2015, at 4 pm at the Emmanuel Baptist Church for the Martin Luther King Program. "I'm really excited about that."
Through her dedication to her faith and her desire to serve, Chloe brings a light into the community that is sorely needed. From educational teaching to spiritual guidance and more, she puts her all into her work, making life just that much better for those around her. "I just hope to be a positive influence in the church and the community," she explains. "I desire to be an asset and I hope to reach out so much more in the days to come."
Associate Pator
Jail Ministry program
Zion Tabernacle Church
Previous articleFenton Research Center Hosts Annual Lock-In
Next articleThe Community Fight – 2015 Brings Drug Battle Home
Katrina has been writing since middle school, her first projects being poetry and prose. During her high school years, she volunteered her writing skills to both the "JHS Press" and "Lyrics of Life". Devoting over two years, she also penned feature articles for the 'Student Path's newspaper. Although coffee is her business, writing is her passion. She has a wonderful family, loves helping people, and enjoys a good book. (Or several, if on hand.)
A Life in Your Hands
Around Town 01-20-2020
Open Doors, Open Invitations
Week of January 20, 2020
Jamestown Gazette - January 20, 2020
Click Here to Read This Week's Paper.
Walt Pickut - January 20, 2020
A generation ago ordinary citizens started learning CPR and regular folks started saving lives. For this generation, it's free Narcan kits that are saving lives...
Hospice Gala "Under the Sea" Announced
Luminous Landscapes Exhibition Opens January 30
Faith Matters: Rude
Chamber Corner: January 20, 2020
St. Luke's Wellness Partnership Celebrates, Connects, and Grows
JCB Journal: 1940
4-H Announces 8th Annual Green Tie Affair Fundraiser
The Jamestown Gazette is a locally owned FREE weekly community newspaper that reaches residents and merchants in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Warren Counties. We build a sense of community and pride by providing residents and businesses with positive stories and timely information that spotlights local residents, organizations and businesses operating and working together.
1 West 4th Street, Suite 1
Jamestown, NY 14701
info@jamestowngazette.com
© 2019 Jamestown Gazette. All rights reserved.