COMMUNITY CARE He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 We believe that social justice was set into motion by God. That it is a natural response and overflow of the abounding grace and love we have each received. That it is a form of worship. Greatest Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31 We see throughout the Bible, in both new and old testaments, a common thread to help the vulnerable and oppressed - orphans, widows, prisoners, the foreigner and the poor. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:18 Wherever your passions, whatever your gifts, there is a need to be met. Below is a list of local outreach ministries that MBIC is already partnered with. Some of the websites list their practical and tangible needs or contact them to see how you could connect. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 REFUGEE/IMMIGRANTS The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:34 Church World Services Showing hospitality to strangers. CWS of Lancaster serves the refugee and immigrant communities of central Pennsylvania. http://cwslancaster.org/ (Ways to volunteer or donate needed items under Get Involved tab) 308 East King Street Lancaster, PA 17602-5013 ) 717-381-2890 * smastropietro@cwsglobal.org Bethany Christian Services In partnership with local churches and community agencies, Bethany Christian Services welcomes refugee and immigrant families and helps them adjust to a new life in the US. https://www.bethany.org/other-services/refugee-and-immigrant-services 1681 Crown Avenue; Suite 201 Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601-6314 ) 717-399-3213 Church Contacts: Jane Lundsten 1
GAIN (Global Aid Network) GAiN assembles meals, packs seeds, and procures nutritional foods for distribution by in-country partners, they provide wells, water filters and hygiene training, as well as critical aid medicine, temporary shelters, blankets, clothing and school supplies. http://gainusa.org/ GAiN Global Logistics Center 1506 Quarry Road Mount Joy, PA 17552 ) 717-285-4220 * info@gainusa.org Church Contacts: Deb Walton, Malita Heisey PRISON/FORMER INMATES...I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:36b Center for Community Peacemaking Restorative Justice for victims and offenders. Peace workshops for healthy communication. Peacemaking circles to transform divisions and community building. http://www.ccp.org/ 53 N Duke Street, Suite 303 Lancaster, PA 17602 ) 717-397-2404 * info@ccp.org Jubilee Ministries Christian discipleship to those incarcerated or in aftercare programs who are committed to seeking reconciliation with God. http://www.jub.org/ 235 S 12th Street Lebanon PA 17042 ) 717-274-7528 * jubilee@jub.org Justice & Mercy An inmate advocacy organization through case management, mentoring program, alternative sentencing and policy reform. http://www.justicemercy.org/ PO Box 187 Hopeland, PA 17533 ) 717-733-5130 * tzjusticemercy@gmail.com Transition to Community/Potter s House A faith-based re-entry ministry. Offers orientation classes, collaboration with the prison treatment staff, counseling and Potter s house transitional housing. http://www.transitiontocommunity.com/ 13 Brimmer Ave New Holland, PA 17557 ) 717-656-3222 * ttcph.director@gmail.com Church Contacts: John Wagner and Jay Mylin 2
ADOPTION/FOSTER/CRISIS PREGNANCY/ABORTION Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27 Blessing Innocent Children MBIC s Adoption and Foster Ministry. Link provides ways to support and more links to educate and outreaches to support. http://manheimbic.org/connect/adults77/community-care/blessing-innocent-children ) 717-665-2133 x207 * bill@manheimbic.org Church Contact: Bill Melone, Community Care Pastor Embracing Life Initiative To offer hope and healing to women and men from their past wound of abortion. Facilitates post-abortion healing groups, networks with local churches and pregnancy crisis centers. ) 717-538-4889 * lisa.mccoy@windstream.net Church Contact: Lisa McCoy, Founder & Director Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services Sexual integrity education, unplanned pregnancy intervention, and post-abortion restoration. http://www.svps.org/get-involved 131 South 8th Street Lebanon, PA 17042 Julie Baum, Director of Church & Community Relations ) 717-274-5128 ext 308 * jbaum@svps.org COBYS Family Services Adoption, Counseling, Education, Foster http://cobys.org/support-us/ 1417 Oregon Road Leola, PA 17540 ) 717-656-6580 Bethany Christian Services Since 1944, Bethany Christian Services has been reaching out to children who are alone or vulnerable. Foster care, Adoption, Pregnancy support, Refugee and Immigrant Foster Care, Training. https://www.bethany.org/lancaster 1681 Crown Avenue; Suite 201 Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601-6314 ) 717-399-3213 Church Contacts: Lynette Fasnacht 3
HOMELESSNESS/FEEDING THE HUNGRY I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35 Water Street Rescue Mission Provides food, shelter, health services, spiritual care and the tools and resources to positively impact and renew the lives of the vulnerable in Lancaster county. https://wsm.org/make-an-impact/ 210 South Prince Street Lancaster, PA 17603 ) 717-393-7709 * contact@wsm.org Love INC Love INC s vision: To see every unmet need of the disadvantaged in our community met by Christ-honoring churches working in partnership. http://loveinclancaster.org/can-you-help/ 1925 Wheatland Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603 ) 717-735-7540 x1 Church Contacts: Doug & Terry Miller Bridge of Hope A Church-Based approach to ending family homelessness. Specifically for Single Mothers. http://lancasterchester.bridgeofhopeinc.org/ 1516 Olive St. Coatesville, PA 19320 Contact: Tamara Fox, Executive Director ) 610-380-1360 or 717-394-7406 * tamaraf@bridgeofhopelcc.org Manheim Central Food Pantry The pantry serves as a supplemental food program to needy families or individuals living in the MCSD. (MBIC collects donations in the month of November.) http://www.manheimcentralfoodpantry.org/menu.html 334 West Gramby Street Manheim, PA 17545 ) 717-665-2331 x13 * ManheimCFP@outlook.com GAiN (Global Aid Network) GAiN assembles meals, packs seeds, and procures nutritional foods for distribution by in-country partners, they provide wells, water filters and hygiene training, as well as critical aid medicine, temporary shelters, blankets, clothing and school supplies. http://gainusa.org/ GAiN Global Logistics Center 1506 Quarry Road Mount Joy, PA 17552 ) 717-285-4220 * info@gainusa.org 4
Hands of Hope (Philadelphia) A compassion ministry to bring restoration to the homeless who live in Philadelphia. Food, clothing and personal hygiene items are distributed to those in need. On occasion, groups from MBIC travel there to donate, make the meal and serve it. Donate: https://doveusa.org/mission/joetta-keefer/ fb.com/hands-of-hope-philadelphia-549034291889950/ Joetta Keefer, Founder & Director ) 215-715-8822 Church Contacts: Dustin Sauder, Executive Pastor SLAVERY/SEX TRAFFICKING The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. Luke 4:18-19 North Star Initiative Opening Lancaster County s first restoration home, The Harbor. Provides support to women who are survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation by addressing their physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs through a Christ-centered focus. http://www.northstarinitiative.org/ PO Box 315 Lititz, PA 17543 ) 717-399-7770 * info@northstarinitiative.org Church Contacts: Anna Horst, volunteer COMMUNITY BUILDING/RACIAL RECONCILIATION Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 Center for Community Peacemaking Restorative Justice for victims and offenders. Peace workshops for healthy communication. Peacemaking circles to transform divisions and community building. http://www.ccp.org/ 53 N Duke Street, Suite 303 Lancaster, PA 17602 ) (717) 397-2404 * info@ccp.org OTHER... Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 Teen Central Youth mentoring and discipleship, community building. http://teencentralmanheim.org/ 15 S. Wolf Street Manheim, PA 17565 ) (717) 664-2990 5
Don t overlook the connections you already have to develop relationships... volunteer at your kids school, pay-itforward for people you come in contact with at grocery stores or restaurants, talk with someone working out beside you at your gym, invite your neighbors for dinner, support a missionary, etc. 6