Gabe Stark
The Trenton Telegraph

For more than 25 years a group of women have gathered early every Tuesday morning for a simple purpose — encouragement, fellowship, faith and maybe even shaving off a few pounds.

The group, called First Place for Health, meets weekly to study scripture, support one another and focus on living healthier lives both spiritually and physically.

The name of the group is based off the bible verse Matthew 6:33 which says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

This verse is at the core of what the group believes in, and even though the meetings begin at 7:30, members say the early start is well worth it.

“I come for the fellowship,” Phyllis Bethards said. “We have great Bible study, we have great fellowship, and each and every member is so encouraging. It helps me get through through the week.”

Bethards said the group’s focus on scripture and encouragement keeps members coming back year after year.

“When you get older, you’ll find out that the things you thought were important really aren’t,” Bethards said. “Studying God’s word and following Him is what we should be doing. I love the Bible study.”

Many members have been involved with the group for years. Shirley Gondringer said she has been attending for about two decades after realizing the program combined two things she was looking for — spiritual growth and practical guidance for healthy living.

“I have gone to a lot of different diet ministries or classes that didn’t really fit my need,” Gondringer said. “But when I heard that First Place included a Bible study, that got my attention.”

She said the group’s approach focuses on applying biblical principles to everyday life.

“It’s a Bible-focused study which teaches us how to access God’s plan for a healthy life,” Gondringer said. “I love the time we spend together studying and encouraging one another.”

For some members, the group has also become an important place to form friendships. Nancy George, who has helped lead the group since 2000, said the sense of community keeps people connected.

“One lady came one time who was new to the group, and she said she loved it because at our age it’s hard to make friends,” George said. “This is a place where everyone is friendly and really supports each other.”

Members say their support for one another continues throughout the week, not just during Tuesday meetings. Prayer requests are shared among the group, and members make a point to check in with one another regularly.

“Our goal is to contact and encourage one different person each week from the group,” George said. “We also have a group text where people can ask for prayer if something comes up.”

The program also includes opportunities for service in the community. One activity members especially enjoy is preparing gift bags filled with personal care items for women who need them through Life Options, a local pregnancy resource center.

One member said the project became even more meaningful when her granddaughter received one of the bags.

The member recounted how impressed she was with what was in the bags and thought that it was encouraging to see the impact the group had.

While the group focuses on faith and encouragement, members say laughter is also an important part of their time together.

George recalled one memorable meeting during a “victory celebration” when members held a lighthearted white elephant auction using small amounts of change which would be used to support local missions.

However during the event someone came in and mistook the bible study group for engaging in some sort of gambling.

“We had nickels and dimes on the table bidding on things,” George said. “A visitor walked in and looked at us like, ‘Are you really gambling in a church?’ It was pretty funny.”

Members come from a variety of churches in the community, including First Baptist Church, First Assembly of God and other local congregations. Despite those different backgrounds, they say the group reflects unity.

For many of the women, that unity — combined with faith and friendship — is exactly what keeps them returning each week.

As Bethards summed up simply, the weekly gathering has become a blessing in their lives.

“It’s worth getting up early for”