For 35 years, Neighbors Sharing and Caring (NSAC) has provided women with a place to enjoy fellowship and a sense of community. The group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at Chiques Church, 4045 Sunnyside Road, Manheim, from early October through the week before Palm Sunday.

"NSAC fills an unmet need in the community, providing a place for women of all ages and church affiliations to fellowship and grow together in our relationship with Jesus," said Bonnie Messick, NSAC coordinator. "Over 35 years of ministry, culture and society have changed, but this group offers women a relaxed and welcoming environment providing a sense of stability and community that is not as common today as when the program began."

NSAC provides free child care for infants to prekindergarten children, so it's especially beneficial for young mothers as a way to enjoy some adult interaction, Messick noted. However, the program is open to women of all ages.

"NSAC is not part of a larger program and is run independently by a committee of women who attend Chiques Church," she explained. "The women attending (NSAC gatherings) come from many area churches, and (there are) even those with no current church affiliation."

NSAC meetings begin with informal fellowship time with snacks, coffee and tea, followed by worship music organized and led by committee members, announcements and a brief devotional. "Following devotions, we welcome prayer requests and praises as we share with the group and join in prayer," Messick said. "After prayer time, the morning's speaker is introduced and shares on their topic for 45 minutes to an hour."

Speakers range from professionals in the community to church members providing personal testimonies, and each year, NSAC also invites a local nonprofit organization to speak on its ministry during one of the meetings. "Each season NSAC features a new theme, which guides the speakers in their topic selections," Messick shared. "This year the program is based on the theme 'Created.' We haven't been created by chance, but with purpose. God has created us in His image to praise, honor and glorify Him." While each speaker's style is different, they all share the core beliefs of the Christian faith and most use Scripture as a basis for their talks, she said.

Above all, NSAC offers women the opportunity to take a break from their busy schedules to enjoy fellowship with other believers while being inspired by the speakers. "Neighbors Sharing and Caring is all about relationships," said Messick. "It's a great way to develop relationships with other women of all ages as well as grow in your relationship with Jesus."

No sign-up or preregistration is required to attend NSAC. NSAC meets in the fellowship hall at Chiques Church. In the case of inclement weather, NSAC follows Manheim Central School District, and if school is delayed or virtual, NSAC is canceled for the morning. Upcoming NSAC meetings will feature Katie Leaman speaking about the organization Love INC on Feb. 14 and the choice of a Bible study or freezer meal preparation class on Feb. 28. For more information and a list of speakers and topics, visit http://www.chiqueschurch.com/nsac.