MISSION. You made 2019 a new year of new beginnings for Mary and Savannah. The JANUARY 2019

Transcription

1 MISSION The Stories of the Lord s provision through you in Tarrant County NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2019 You made 2019 a new year of new beginnings for Mary and Savannah.

2 THE MISSION NEWSLETTER 1321 E. Lancaster Avenue Fort Worth, TX ugm tc.org FOLLOW US ONLINE: A local united Christian organization and ministry dedicated to providing love, hope, respect and a new beginning to those experiencing homelessness. BOARD OF DIRECTORS listed with church affiliations Chairman Charlie Allen Christ Chapel Bible Church Vice Chairman Mary Jane Edwards Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church Treasurer Eddie Broussard Watermark Community Church Secretary Columba J. Reid St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church President & CEO Don Shisler Saint Mark Episcopal Church Chaplain Fr. V. Stanley Maneikis St. Alban s Episcopal Church Bill E. Bailey, Christ Chapel Bible Church James O. Branch, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Rickey J. Brantley, Arborlawn United Methodist Nicole Brown, Christ Chapel Bible Church Carl R. Brumley, Christ Chapel Bible Church Larry Chilton, Christ Chapel Bible Church Ronald Clinkscale, First Presbyterian Church Fred Closuit, Christ Chapel Bible Church Larry D. Eason, First United Methodist Church Gene Gray, McKinney Memorial Bible Church Crawford Gupton, Christ Chapel Bible Church Pat Hawkins, McKinney Memorial Bible Church Barcus Hunter, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Robert J. Keffler, Christ Chapel Bible Church Otis Lemley, Without Walls Church John Mitchell, Watermark Community Church Terry Montesi, Christ Chapel Bible Church Peter Philpott, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Caroline Stephens Samis, Christ Chapel Bible Church J.D. Stotts, White s Chapel Methodist Church Allison Wagner, Christ Chapel Bible Church W. David White, Christ Chapel Bible Church J.W. Wilson, St. Stephen Presbyterian Church Robbie Zimmerman, Trinity Presbyterian A BRAND-NEW CALENDAR DAY DON SHISLER President/CEO I m old enough to remember when a new year meant breaking out a brand-new calendar or several. There were decorative wall calendars for the kitchen and office and maybe a desk calendar or planner. It s just not the same when your calendar is on your smart phone! Through the Lord s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. However, for residents at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, every day can be a LAMENTATIONS 3:22 23 nkjv brand-new calendar kind of day, the start of endless possibilities for the year ahead. For sevenyear-old Savannah in this issue of The Mission, 2019 will be the first year of her young life that she ll wake up in her very own bed every morning and find her mom waiting in their very own home when she returns from school every afternoon. It s a new beginning that will set this bright little girl on the road to a stable, happy life. And how is your new year looking? If you have some time to spare, how about coming to UGM-TC to lend a hand? Or make a donation to our warehouse to give more of our residents a fresh start in their new homes. You might even consider throwing in a calendar as a reminder of all the new beginnings they can look forward to in 2019! Thank you for partnering with us. I wish you all the best in this new year! In Christ, President/CEO HAVE YOU CONSIDERED INCLUDING UGM TC IN YOUR ESTATE PL ANS?

3 New year, new beginnings for mother and daughter 2019 HOLDS PLENTY OF PROMISE FOR MARY & SAVANNAH! When Mary gave birth to her daughter Savannah, her joy was soon eclipsed by loss. My husband had been diagnosed with cancer. Within three months, he was gone and his brother kicked us out of the house, Mary recalls. Savannah was just a baby. For the next several years, mother and daughter drifted from one friend s home to another. It was the only life Savannah knew... then even that was threatened. I didn t know where I was going to go, Mary says. I thought I was going to be sleeping on the sidewalk. I wasn t going to put my baby through that. A friend told Mary about Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, but she had reservations. Homeless people scared me, she admits. However, after coming to the Mission she discovered, We all got here through whatever situations we were in, and we re all human. Mary also discovered that UGM- TC offered her and Savannah not only food and shelter, but a new beginning. Savannah, now seven, is enrolled in first grade, but Mary reports that she s reading above that level. She s opening up and learning a lot, Mary tells us. I m so proud of her! Since coming to the Mission, Mary has also opened up to God. Our ALPHA class and chapel services helped Mary to experience the love of Jesus Christ, just as the Good News Club introduced Savannah to her Savior. She s always asking about God. I tell her as much as I know when we read Bible stories together. Now that Mary has graduated from the program, it won t be long before she and Savannah can share Bible stories in a home of their own. I ve got a job and hopefully, we ll have housing soon, Mary says. I want to give Savannah the best life I possibly can. Years after losing her husband and her home, Mary now looks forward to a life of hope and stability. She s grateful to friends like you who gave her and Savannah a new beginning. The biggest thank you in the world wouldn t cover your generosity! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE STORIES

4 UGM-TC celebrates New beginnings happen all the time at UGM-TC, and our Resident Graduation Ceremony is a great example. This past fall, 47 residents graduated from the UGM-TC program, equipped with the education and tools they need to move into a stable lifestyle. After Father Stanley Maneikis opened the ceremony with prayer, our Men s Program Director, Ben Escobal, and our Women and Families Program Director, Aretha McJimson, presented the graduates. Here are a few of the memorable and inspiring things our graduates had to say on their special day: I would tell anyone that if you re going through hard times, this is the place to be. You can feel God here. 4 Program graduates showing off their UGM-TC blue cords before the ceremony. KEEP UP WITH THE MISSION! // WEB: // SOCIAL:

5 7new beginnings FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND AND REACHING FORWARD TO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE AHEAD, I PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. PHILIPPIANS 3:13 14 nkjv I want to thank the staff for always keeping our spirits up. They don t realize how much they mean to people. Thank you for allowing me to find hope and stability. I was on a long road to destruction and I needed someone to say, You can make it. I can now say I m a grateful recovering addict. I ve had 577 clean days. I got my two boys back. I m stable, and that is all glory to God. I m extremely thankful for the environ ment at UGM-TC because it allowed me to build my spiritual relationship with God which I had let go for so many years. I loved attending Chapel with the many Chapel leaders who I will miss dearly. I loved the ALPHA course and one of the things I am grateful for is regaining a close relationship with God. UGM-TC provided a safe place to focus on my healing. They do amazing things here and as everybody says, God really moves in this place. I feel very blessed to have been in this program. In Father Stanley s closing prayer, he reminded everyone to stay in touch, because we will always be here for anyone who needs a friend. We look forward to seeing all of our graduates succeed! DID YOU KNOW Thanks to the in-kind donations UGM-TC receives, we re able to set up more than 30 households a month! Individuals and families receive a move-out package of essentials like pots and pans, dishes, cleaning supplies and furniture to help them set up their new homes. VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE STORIES

6 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT! Host a coat drive. Men, women and children need gently used or new coats to fend off the winter chill. Adopt the dining hall. Come share your decorating talents to make the Mission cheerful. Donate winter blessing bags. Gather cold-weather items such as gloves, hand warmers, hats, etc. to keep our outside guests warm. For more information on these and other volunteer opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at or lkinney@ugm-tc.org. KEEP IN TOUCH Far more is going on at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County than we could ever fit in a newsletter! Here are some simple ways to see how you make a difference every day and be the first to hear about big news and special events: Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter (@ugmtarrantco) Follow us on Instagram (@ugmtarrantco) Include your address on the enclosed response form to receive Mission news and opportunities via SAVE THE DATE for a Ladies Luncheon Mark your calendar to hear an inspirational message from Dru Hammer businesswoman, activist and founder of her own ministry, The Hammered Heart Foundation. Please event@ugm-tc.org for more information. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, :30am 1:00pm WILL ROGERS ROUND UP INN HAVE YOU CONSIDERED INCLUDING UGM TC IN YOUR ESTATE PL ANS?

7 CHAPLAIN STANLEY MANEIKIS 2019 A.D.: first things first! When I was in New York City on December 30, the TV networks had set up the broadcast booths for the celebrations in Times Square. Excitement was in the air, but I didn t want to get stuck among the crowds. Instead, I got home in time for a quiet New Year s Eve, watching the celebrations from the comfort of my living room and making some resolutions for 2019: Thank God that you are not alone. Paul writes, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38 39 (NKJV) Trust God to give us what we need, not what we think we want. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteous ness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) Remember the Good News you have learned. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 (NKJV) Think of yourself less. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Romans 12:16 (NKJV) Count your blessings, for gratitude is the antidote for misery. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Psalm 128: 1 2 (NKJV) Experience the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17 (NKJV) I hope you ll share these resolutions with everyone you love. Happy New Year! ALPHA UPDATE ALPHA is a Bible-based course offered on Thursday evenings that gives our residents the opportunity to explore the meaning of life through Christ in a relaxed, friendly setting. The New Year with ALPHA begins with ALPHA Training on the night of January 10. The training will be in the Program Room in the Cox Center on the UGM-TC Campus. Time: 6:30 9:00 a.m. The ALPHA Course is entitled: Questions of Life. The content is a specific topic each week, such as Who is Jesus?, Why did Jesus die? and What about the Bible? ALPHA is a ministry to our residents of worship, study, and small group participation, a ministry of love, listening and relationships. For more information, visit If you would like to be a part of the team, please contact Chaplain Maneikis at or smaneikis@ugm-tc.org. PRAYER REQUESTS AS WE LOOK TO ANOTHER YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS, PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER: For the peace of God so needed in our lives, in our nation and in our world. For the courage to give testimony to the faith that is in us because of the change in us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. For the courage to love the unlovable. To forgive when so asked, because you know the power of love. KEEP UP WITH THE MISSION! // WEB: // SOCIAL:

8 NOTHING THAT YOU DO IS SMALL. Meet Jacky Harvey, Director of Warehouse Operations A person can work anywhere and make a living, says Jacky Harvey, but it s very rewarding to come to a place every day where you can make a difference in people s lives. Jacky had already been doing just that as Senior Pastor of City of Hope Fellowship Church. When he heard about UGM-TC, he decided to get involved here. I wanted to do something different, he explains. As Warehouse Manager since 2009, Jacky has continued ministering to people, just in another way. When residents come in and eat, they fill out a clothing voucher to use at the warehouse, Jacky says. We give away a lot of clothes and shoes every day. However, Jacky tells us that the real impact comes when residents graduate from the program and move out of the Mission. They re trying to get a fresh start and move on with their lives. We help them with furniture, everything they need! More than that, he says, We help them to gain self-respect. Jacky oversees all warehouse employees, as well as residents who help out in our Skill Building program, sorting clothes and picking up donations. I can relate to them because I ve been where they re at, he admits. Every encounter is an opportunity for ministry. A lot of times, people s lives are hanging in the balance, and nothing that you do for them is small. One of the best parts of Jacky s job is when residents come back to the warehouse to say hello. They re married, they have jobs, they ve moved on with their lives. They say, Hey, thank you for helping us. But we re just doing what we do, hoping that it ll make a difference. VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE STORIES