The ELANCO-area Celebrate Recovery (CR) - a 12-step, Christ-centered discipleship recovery program for individuals age 18 and up that has met from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each Thursday at Petra Church, 565 Airport Road, New Holland - has not changed much over the six years it has been active. According to leaders Carol Musser and Karl Stoltzfus, that is the way it should be.

"What we do here is consistent," said Musser.

Stoltzfus agreed, saying, "They strive for that. There's a familiarity to what we do. Each CR has its own personality, but the materials are consistent."

Offering a safe place for individuals dealing with addictions has been a goal of the program since it started. The group is still supported by Petra Church, Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community, and Bethany Grace Fellowship. Each week, a hot meal is served beginning at 6:15 p.m., followed by worship, which usually includes a message or testimony, and small group meetings, which are divided by gender. The group currently meets on Thursdays, but it will begin meeting on Tuesdays effective Oct. 3.

During the second meeting of each month, a live worship band led by Randy Blank takes part. Blank said he is usually joined by three other musicians, but recently a vocalist has taken part as well. "We play worship songs - the same songs we would do on Sunday morning," said Blank, who initially tried to recruit musicians, but soon learned that CR attendees were willing to play. "God brought the three musicians from among those who attend," shared Blank.

On Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m., ELANCO CR will celebrate six years of serving the area with special guests Manny and Erika Garcia of Livingsong. The name of the ministry was chosen to express a daily goal of becoming a living song of worship displayed in a lifestyle representative of following Jesus. The mission of the ministry is to "proclaim the Gospel message to the least, the last, and the lost." "They give testimonies and play music and give a message," noted Musser.

CR marks landmarks of sobriety by giving out chips. Musser noted that some attendees will come to a meeting with several years of sobriety to mark. "We had one (participant) last year, and I had to make up a chip because they don't have a 51-year chip," she said. "It can be from one month to multiple years." Musser noted that often a participant will give a testimony. "We love that," she said. "They may not have been regular attendees, but it's a recovery journey."

CR continues to need volunteer help with the weekly meetings. Help is needed to facilitate, set up, tear down, and work with the audiovisual and sound components.

Readers who would like to know more about ELANCO CR may call 717-587-2202, email elancocelebraterecovery@gmail.com, or search for "ELANCO Celebrate Recovery" on Facebook.