Eastern District Synod. Mission Blast! Matthew 28:19 "Go and make disciples of all nations..." It is your turn to answer the call to serve!

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Eastern District Synod. Mission Blast! Matthew 28:19 "Go and make disciples of all nations..." It is your turn to answer the call to serve!"

James Bell
5 years ago
Views:

1 Eastern District Synod Mission Blast! Matthew 28:19 "Go and make disciples of all nations..." It is your turn to answer the call to serve!

2 Alaska Submitted by: Board of World Mission Construct a church in Togiak or a home in Bethel. Location: Togiak, AK Date: July 1 September 26, 2016 (10 Day Trips: Sunday-Tuesday) Age: 18+ Cost: Airfare and travel expenses to get on site. Then food, lodging and transportation covered! Project Description: Volunteers will work to replace a church building and construct a parsonage in the Togiak district of the Alaskan Moravian Church. Skilled construction workers requested. HOW TO APPLY: Justin Rabbach at justin@moravianmission.org

3 Bethlehem, PA - Advent Moravian Church Volunteer at Advent Moravian Church through the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter Program. Location: Bethlehem, PA Date: Every Saturday evening from December 1st - March 31st Age: 18+ Cost: Free Volunteers would take part in the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter Program from 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM. The work being done would be staying overnight/sleeping at the shelter, and also supervising. Supervision of the men being housed at Advent through the program would be the main task that needs to be done. HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in taking part in this experience, e- mail Tom Mohr at tnymohr@gmail.com

Bethlehem, PA - Central Moravian Church Submitted by: Central Moravian Church Volunteer with Central Moravian Church Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering (Women s Shelter) Location: Central Moravian

4 Bethlehem, PA - Central Moravian Church Submitted by: Central Moravian Church Volunteer with Central Moravian Church Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering (Women s Shelter) Location: Central Moravian Church, CE Building Dates: Saturday Nights into Sunday Mornings December through March Cost: No cost but those cooking supper or breakfast may want to donate food Age or Skill Restrictions: Teenagers and Adults; an understanding of and compassion for the mental health issue that many homeless people deal with is a plus Contact: Rose Warner, , Coordinator or Pastor Lynnette Delbridge, We provide supper and breakfast and a warm, safe, and hospitable place for approximately 20 homeless women on Saturday evenings into Sunday

5 mornings. There are several different jobs that volunteers can sign up for: setting up cots; cooking supper and/or and breakfast; signing in guests; hospitality playing games and talking; sleeping at the shelter over night; cleaning bathrooms; breakdown and putting away equipment. Food Bank Location: Central Moravian Church office building. Dates: Third Saturday of the month, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Cost: No cost to volunteer. Drivers who help pickup donations, donate the use of their cars and gas expenses. Age or Skill: Middle School students through adult. People with Spanish speaking skills are especially needed. Contact: Joan Kolessar, , Coordinator Pastor Hopeton Clennon, Brief Description: Volunteers help clients sign-in, pick out food, and carry food bags to their cars. Cynthia s Boutique (Clothing Ministry) Location: Central Moravian Church office building Dates: Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Third Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. distribution Cost: No cost Age or Skill Restrictions: Depending on job, older elementary children could be helpful but mostly teens and adults. Contact: Charlotte (Charlie) McGorry or

6 Pastor Lynnette Delbridge, Brief Description: Volunteers sort and arrange donated clothing on Thursday mornings in preparation for distribution to about 40 clients on the third Saturday of the month. Because of limited space, large numbers of volunteers are not practical all at one time but special arrangements can be made for sorting and helping in other ways. Bethlehem Interfaith Resettlement Committee Location: The neighborhoods, schools, medical offices and home of the refugee family resettling in Allentown, PA. Dates: All through the week. Cost: No cost unless volunteers wants to get involved and donate items needed by family. Drivers who help with transportation donate the use of their cars and gas expenses. Age or Skill: Mostly adults. All kinds of skills are needed particularly people with PA Child Abuse Clearances and Criminal Background Check who

7 can interact with four children; help with transportation particularly to medical appointments; people with educational skills who can help family learn English; people who can take children out for activities and play; people with building skills to assist in up-keep of apartment; people who can help find employment for father. Contact: Louisa Frey, or Jim Whildin, or Pastor Hopeton Clennon, Brief Description: Helping a six member refugee family find

8 employment, settle into life here in the Lehigh Valley, learn English and new banking system Cooking Mission at New Bethany Ministries Location: New Bethany Ministries, 202 E 3rd Street, Bethlehem, PA Dates: 1st Monday, 1st Friday, 3rd Tuesday and 5th Thursday; Hours 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Cost: No cost to volunteers. Food provided by New Bethany. Age or Skill: Anyone who can safely work in a kitchen in a team of 3 to 4 people. Contact: Gretchen Parseghian ( ) Brief Description: Make salads, butter bread, slice up desserts and help prepare the main dish. Help serve the lunch meal to clients at New Bethany Ministries. Cooking Mission at Victory House Location: Victory House, 314 Fillmore Street, Bethlehem, PA Dates: A variety of dates are available. Cost: Volunteers purchase food for a meal that will feed approximately 25 to 30 men.

9 Age or skill: Anyone that can work safely in a kitchen with a team of 2 to 4 people. Contact: Terry Delph, Brief Description: Plan menu, purchase and prepare food for dinner meal for 25 residents at Victory House. Victory House is a residential facility for formerly homeless men. The residents clean up after the meal. Moravian Meals on Wheels Location: Home kitchens and the roads and streets of the Lehigh Valley. Dates: Variable on an as needs basis. Cost: Volunteers provide the food they cook although some gifts cards and funds are available for cooks to purchase groceries. Volunteers who deliver meals donate the use of their cars and gas expenses. Age or skill: Anyone who can safely cook and/or drive. Contact: Dorothy Stutzenberger, Brief Description: Volunteers cook for church members and members of the larger community who are experiencing a temporary difficulty that makes it hard for them to shop for and/or cook their own meals. Prepared food can be taken directly to the person in need or taken and frozen in the church freezer located in Nitschmann Hall. Requests for meals go to Coordinator Dorothy Stutzenberger who arranges for a volunteer to deliver the meals.

10 Bethlehem, PA - East Hills Moravian Church Volunteer at a Yard Sale at East Hills Moravian Church. Location: Bethlehem, PA Date: May 13th - 20th, 2017 Age: All Welcome -- Youth with Adult Supervision Cost: Free Volunteers would have opportunities to work with the set-up, clean-up, and during the yard sale itself over the span of a week. Some tasks may include, but are not limited to: putting down plastic tarps, setting up tables in the family center, moving the yard sale items from the cellar to the sale space, unpacking and sorting yard sale items, pricing items, and repacking items in boxes for charities. HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in taking part in this experience, e- mail Wayne Grover at ufospacehunter@yahoo.com.

11 Bethlehem, PA - Esperanza Submitted by: Rev Tracy and Rev Rhonda Robinson, Esperanza (Northern Province Emerging Ministry) Location: St. John s Windish Luthereran Church, Bethlehem, PA Date: September through June Monday through Thursday 4PM 7PM Ages: 18+ Cost: None Number of Participants: 3 6 per day Contact: Rev. Tracy Robinson, pastortracy@esperanzaforbethlehem.org or Rev. Ronda Robinson, pastoryrhonda@esperanzaforbethlehem.org Our Family Safe Zone after school program is a safe place providing opportunities for students to pursue creative, intellectual, physical and social interests. We offer diverse activities that encourage self-expression and discovery, personal spiritual growth, and a meal gathered around one table. Through hands-on activities such as music instruction, tutoring, English as a second language, meal preparation and sharing, children and youth learn to live in community, to share resources, and to trust in the love of Christ. Spread the love of Christ in our Family Safe Zone as a mentor, small group leader, music teacher, cook, counselor, and/or tutor for urban youth.

12 Camp Hope, NJ Submitted by: Sue Dreydoppel, Camp Hope Help a Child experience the Love of Christ Serve at Camp! Location: Hope Center Date: Summer 2017 one week mid-june to mid-august at one or more camps from Grade 1 through age 21 Age: 16+ (At least 2 years older than campers) Cost: None Contact: Susan Dreydoppel at hopecenter@camphope.org or by phone at The Eastern District offers faith building opportunities to both Moravian and Non-Moravian children and youth through week-long summer camping experiences at Hope Conference and Renewal Center. Such programs are only possible through volunteer counselors, junior counselors, nurses, and program leaders who express their faith by giving a week (or more) of their time in service to others and to Christ. Contact us and join in!

13 Chicago Submitted by: Board of World Mission Engage in Urban Ministry in Chicago. Location: Chicago, IL Dates Option 1: December 26-29, 2016 Age: High School - College (14-22ish) Cost: $150 + Travel to site Dates Option 2: Ongoing Upon Request - Sign up as an individual or bring a group! Age: 14+ Cost: $150 + Travel to site

14 Take part in an Urban Mission Experience The Board of World Mission invites you to take part in an urban immersion experience. The group will stay in a mission house on the campus of Chicago's Lutheran School of Theology. Two days of volunteering with local organizations will give a chance for participants to learn about the ways poverty and inequality uniquely manifest themselves in urban settings. Sample itinerary: Day 1: Arrive Chicago late afternoon / early evening for team building and orientation Day 2: Serve at local ministry or social service sight Day 3: Serve at local ministry or social service sight Day 4: Final wrap up and head home The winter break experience is geared towards high school and college aged youth. Other dates available upon request for older individuals and other groups. If you have a group interested in a mission experience in Chicago, please contact the BWM and we can begin to work on dates. This experience has limited availability, and we request interested individuals (even preliminarily interested) be in contact as soon as possible! The experience will cost participants $150. This includes all housing, food and transportation once participants arrive in Chicago. HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in taking part in this experience, e- mail Director of Mission Engagement, Justin Rabbach at justin@moravianmission.org

15 Coopersburg, PA Submitted by: Rev. Jay Patrella, Morning Star Moravian Church Help Serve A Community Meal. Location: Morning Star Moravian Church in Coopersburg, PA Dates: The last Saturday of every month Age: Teens and older Cost: Free Contact Person: linda@morningstarmoravianchurch.com Morning Star Moravian Church monthly serves a free meal to anyone in our community who would like one. It is a great way to help those in our community who are hungry. Join us to help us build community and provide a fun Saturday evening out for some who would otherwise be at home alone. Each month we serve around people.

16 Hellertown, PA Submitted by: Rev. Jodie Harney, Mountainview Moravian Church Help Clients Select Clothing Items. Locationtion: Mountainview Moravian Church Dates:Set up: August 9th-12th Distribution: August 20th and 27th 8:30am-1:00pm January Dates: TBD Age: 15+ Cost: Free Contact Info: BethAnn Seibel at or Rev. Jodie Harney at or Many local individuals and families struggle with a lack of resources to meet basic needs. The Mountainview Moravian Church Clothing Ministry seeks to be the hands and feet of Christ by offering free clothing to residents in need, while creating a welcoming environment that affirms the dignity of all people. To date, this ministry has helped over 1000 people distributing over 15,000 pieces of clothing! This ministry is sustainable because of the participation of volunteers during the distribution days.

17 Under the guidance of the congregational coordinators, volunteers assist the clients in selecting clothing while extending hospitality to guests.

18 Honduras Submitted by: Board of World Mission Volunteer at the Ahuas Clinic in Honduras. Location: Ahuas, Honduras Date: Ongoing availability for 7-10 day visits Age: 18+ Cost: $1,500 Teams are being formed to help with construction and maintenance projects, as well as ongoing medical work. Upcoming teams will be completing construction projects around the clinic campus and working with the Infant Feeding Program administered through the Preventative Medicine Program at the clinic. HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in taking part in this experience, e- mail Director of Mission Engagement, Justin Rabbach at

19 Kenya - Ray of Hope Orphanage Serve at Ray of Hope! Location: Ray of Hope Orphanage, Kenya Date: Summer 2017 availability for day trips Age: 18+ Cost: $3,000 Contact: Justin Rabbach, justin@moravianmission.org Ray of Hope is looking for groups to help address needs with their preschool/primary school, the clinic, and an agricultural project. If you have skills in early childhood, pediatrics and prenatal medicine, or in sustainable, high intensity urban gardening skills, as well as bee keeping, this is a perfect opportunity for you. The trip requires immunizations and VISAs so we encourage those interested to begin planning early. For more information on Ray of Hope visit rayofhopekenya.com

Mississippi Submitted by: Board of World Mission Construction and disaster relief teams. Location: Ocean Springs, Mississippi Date: Ongoing availability, contact BWM for dates! Trips 5-7 days.

20 Mississippi Submitted by: Board of World Mission Construction and disaster relief teams. Location: Ocean Springs, Mississippi Date: Ongoing availability, contact BWM for dates! Trips 5-7 days. Age: 14+ Cost: $500. There is a need of skilled and un-skilled volunteers for carpentry projects, hanging drywall and other tasks. We can accommodate anyone who is willing to help! To donate visit moravianmission.org/give and mark donations for "MDR- Mississippi". HOW TO APPLY: Director of Mission Engagement, Justin Rabbach at justin@moravianmission.org

21 Nazareth, PA Submitted by: Rev. Jeff Gehris, Nazareth Moravian Church Location: Nazareth Moravian Church Dates: Summer 2016 & Ongoing! Age: 18+ (Younger allowed if accompanied by a parent) Cost: Free Contact Person: Rev. Jeff Gehris: (301) or nazmorpastor@rcn.com Summer Lunch Program Bagged lunches are prepared in the kitchen of Nazareth Moravian Church and given out a ½ block away from the church at a ball field. The program serves children, youth who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year, and senior citizens. Join us! Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen The Nazareth/Bath Communities sponsor a free lunch each Saturday at noon throughout the year. On the first and second Saturdays lunch is served at Christ UCC in Bath; the third and fourth at St. John s UCC in Nazareth, PA and the fifth at Nazareth Moravian Church. We are always looking for volunteers in the Bath and Nazareth areas.

New Carrollton, Maryland Submitted by: Rev. Tammie Rinker, Trinity Moravian Church Visit and Volunteer in Washington, D.C. Location: Trinity Moravian Church Date: August 2017 Ages: 16+, unless accompanied by a parent Cost: No set cost for facility use, but donations appreciated!

22 New Carrollton, Maryland Submitted by: Rev. Tammie Rinker, Trinity Moravian Church Visit and Volunteer in Washington, D.C. Location: Trinity Moravian Church Date: August 2017 Ages: 16+, unless accompanied by a parent Cost: No set cost for facility use, but donations appreciated! Contact: Rev. Tammie Rinker at trinitymoravian@aol.com or by phone at (301) Trinity Moravian Church Trinity welcomes youth groups who want to visit DC. We are located just a few minutes outside DC in the Maryland suburbs.two Metro stations to downtown are very close by, so transportation is breeze! Youth Groups would need to create their own itinerary, but there are a lot of mission focused options in D.C. Groups can have full use of our building - including shower and kitchen.

23 Northeast Moravian Disaster Response Submitted by: Northeast Moravian Disaster Response Join North East Moravian Disaster Response! NEMDR is a volunteer group who participates in disaster relief and mission work throughout the United States and in Moravian communities abroad. NEMDR volunteers share a vision to help others in their time of need by providing caring, community, and physical assistance through construction work. Contact: John Edgerton, jegerton@ptd.net or by phone at & Mike Rampulla mikeff2310@rcn.com or by phone at For more information about upcoming NEMDR activities, requests for volunteers, and trip photos check out the NEMDR Facebook group. Join the group to stay up to date on all NEMDR activities.

24 Northeast Moravian Disaster Recovery Mission Trips Location: Various As Needed Date: On Going Age: 16+, unless accompanied by a parent. Cost: Varies according to location and length of trip Number of Participants: 6-10 Introduction to Mission Weekend Location: Hope Center Date: May 2017 usually the Friday and Saturday after Mother s Day Age: 16+, unless accompanied by a parent. Cost: $15.00 Number of Participants: 12 with some flexibility Service Mission Days Service Mission Days are organized by your local congregation. First identify the mission project, something that needs repair at the church or in the local community, then coordinate with NEMDR volunteers who share a vision to help others in their time of need by providing caring, community, and physical assistance through construction work. Location: Your Church or Church Community NEMDR comes to you Date: Upon Request Age: 16+, unless accompanied by a parent. Cost: Donuts, Coffee, and Lunch and Construction Supplies Number of Participants: at least 3 from the local congregation

25 New York Engage in Urban Ministry in New York. Location: New York, NY Dates Option 1: November 1-6, 2016 Age: 18+ Cost: $250 + Travel to site Take part in an Urban Ministry Experience Join with a team to connect with ministries in an urban setting. Housing will be at a Moravian Congregation on Staten Island, and service will take place across Manhattan. Learn and serve in the largest city in the United States. Specific opportunities will be finalized as the team fills up, but have included clothing ministries, food pantries and meal programs in the past. If you would like to take part in this experience as a part of the Antioch Leadership Cohort, please contact Jill Kolodziej (jill@moravianmission.org) to check availability!

26 Peru Build relationships with the new work area of Peru! Location: Peru Dates: September 2016, 10 day trip. Team Size: 4-8 people Cost: $1,800 Ages: 18+ Join a team to build relationships with Moravians in Peru. The group will visit four relatively new churches in two cities, Lima and Chiclayo. The congregations have been house churches and are transitioning to rented facilities. The teams will join in worship, foster personal relationships, and do other work according to the team's gifting and the local need, including construction-related projects and/or programming. HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in taking part in this experience, e- mail Director of Mission Engagement, Justin Rabbach at justin@moravianmission.org

27 Reading,PA Submitted by: Reading Moravian Church Volunteer at the Reading Moravian Church Food Pantry and Community Dinners. Location: Reading Moravian Church (1116 Perry Street, Reading, PA) Date: Various Dates Monthly for Food Pantry Last Tuesday of each month for community dinner (5-6:45pm) Age: All Welcome -- Youth with Adult Supervision Cost: Free Hub of Hope Pantry: Set up tables for fresh food and frozen meat. Register recipients. Hand out food. Free Community Dinner: Join as we being set up at 4pm and start serving food at 5pm. Jobs include greeting recipients at the door, keeping tables clean and setting up for next clients, filling drink dispensers, cutting desserts, serving food, cleaning up and getting to know those who come to dine with us! Contact: Rev. Ron Rice,

Schoeneck, PA to NYC Submitted by: Schoneck Moravian Church Visit and Decorate Moravian Open Door Location: Schoeneck, PA to Moravian Open Door in NYC Dates: First Sunday in December Age: Youth

28 Schoeneck, PA to NYC Submitted by: Schoneck Moravian Church Visit and Decorate Moravian Open Door Location: Schoeneck, PA to Moravian Open Door in NYC Dates: First Sunday in December Age: Youth (Individuals and Groups) accompanied by supervising adults Cost: Individuals and groups are responsible for their own travel expenses and meals while onsite (Kitchen Available), free lodging available. Number of Participants: Up to 12 Contact Person: Michael A Rampulla, mrampulla@ncem-pa.org Schoeneck Moravian Church Moravian Open Door Outreach Mission Under the guidance of a congregational coordinator, volunteers will gather needed supplies, travel to Moravian Open Door, decorate the facility for the holidays and interact with the residents there. This opportunity is available to individuals, families, and groups. The Moravian Open Door (MOD) ministry serves those individuals who are fifty and older with the goal of helping them regain their independence and security, and assisting them in moving to appropriate, permanent facilities.

29 Springfield Gardens, NY - Grace Moravian Church Volunteer at Grace Moravian Church. Location: Springfield Gardens, NY Date: Every 3rd Saturday of each month Age: 14+ Cost: Free Volunteers have the opportunity to work in the food pantry, and also to distribute clothes to all of those who need the resources of Grace Moravian Church. In addition to some of those tasks, basic health checks will also be given at this volunteer opportunity. HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in taking part in this experience, e- mail Patsy Walker at patsyewalker@yahoo.com

Staten Island, NY Submitted by: New Dorp Moravian Church Location: New Dorp Moravian Church (NDMC) Ages: All ages; minors must be accompanied by supervising adults Dates: August 17-19 (8am-4pm) &

30 Staten Island, NY Submitted by: New Dorp Moravian Church Location: New Dorp Moravian Church (NDMC) Ages: All ages; minors must be accompanied by supervising adults Dates: August (8am-4pm) & Other upon request Cost: Individuals and groups are responsible for their own travel expenses and meals while onsite (Kitchen Available), free lodging available. Number of Participants: Up to 20 Contact: -or- Rev. Tracy Pryor, Chair of the Central Elders of the UBC: and (718) The Staten Island clothing distribution seeks to be the hands and feet of Christ by offering free or low-cost clothing to residents in need. Under the guidance of a congregational coordinator, volunteers assist in sorting and collecting clothing while extending hospitality to guest. Personal shopping partners are needed - particularly with Spanish language skills. Sorting opportunities can be arranged in advance of the annual sort through NDMC. Stay can be arranged through NDMC or Great Kills Moravian Church

Join Us Today and Bring a Friend! Share this resource broadly as we invite as many who are interested to take part in a mission experience near and far.

31 Join Us Today and Bring a Friend! Share this resource broadly as we invite as many who are interested to take part in a mission experience near and far. Let's share Faith, Love and Hope with the world, together. Click below to view invitations, or to submit one of your own! MORAVIANMISSION.ORG/MISSIONBLAST

Helping People MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our World

16 To reproduce faith in Christ... Helping People MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our World How each member of the First Church of God can help make the difference in others earthly and eternal life! www.letsmakeadifference.net