Monday, March 11, 2013
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Roofing Crew Needed
This weekend, our Central Church of Christ Youth Ministry (CYM) are continuing tornado relief work throughout our community. This "Spring Into Action" weekend includes a variety of service projects to help those recovering from the April 27 storms.
As a part of that initiative, a need has been identified for a family who needs their roof tarped. We need four men, a ladder, and a large roof tarp. If you can work with our youth to help this family, please let us know.
As always, thank you for your continued support!
As a part of that initiative, a need has been identified for a family who needs their roof tarped. We need four men, a ladder, and a large roof tarp. If you can work with our youth to help this family, please let us know.
As always, thank you for your continued support!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Turning the Page
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! We cannot say it enough. What an incredible two and a half weeks we have had at Central Church of Christ. It all started bright and early on the morning after the storm with work crews meeting at the church and going out to clear debris, cut trees, salvage memories and love families within our own church who were impacted by the storm. Later that day, ladies gathered to cook a wonderful spaghetti supper for all of us who had been working all day and who were without power. The next day, hot dog lunches and coolers of bottled water were delivered to these families and another meal was prepared as many of our members came to the church building to wash clothes and enjoy a few moments in a building that had lights and air conditioning!
As each day passed, our outreach grew. Neighbors of church members began to be blessed by our chainsaw crews. Word got out that Central was "making a big difference" in the tornado relief effort, and donations started coming into the building. We set up two folding tables outside the kitchen and marveled at how generous everyone was. We had no idea what was about to happen!
Over the weekend, more donations came in, and on Sunday, we came together to cry together, comfort each other and worship our King. Our church family who had power were incredibly kind to prepare an outstanding lunch for all of us who did not have power. We enjoyed a much needed time of fellowship with each other. The bounty was so plentiful that we packed up plates and set out delivering them in devastated areas around Limestone County. By Sunday, the magnitude of how widespread the damage was became our new reality. The shock wore off, and we got serious about helping in a big way.
The following week, fliers were created and distributed all around the community. We had announcements placed on all the local radio and television stations. What started with some spaghetti, hot dogs, bottled water and 2 little tables quickly grew and grew each day. When half the gym was full, we couldn't believe it. By the end of the week, the entire gym was full of food, cleaning supplies, baby items, kitchen essentials, linens, personal hygiene items, toys, school supplies and furniture. We received donations from so many in our community and also from Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Complete strangers whom none of us knew drove up with truckloads of supplies and asked us to help get them out to people in need. We are so thankful for all of these donations, and we are happy to say that we did just that.
Throughout that week, we helped dozens of families find temporary housing. Through the monetary donations we received, we helped pay deposits, buy mattresses, and create new "homes" for so many who had lost everything. We had so many God moments--a huge need would arise, such as a need for a house or a washer and dryer, and literally within minutes, someone would call or email with the answer to our prayer. Such a blessing to witness God's influence and comfort for these families in need! We helped families in Limestone County, Madison County, Phil Campbell, Cullman and beyond. Countless meals were prepared and shared. As our food and supplies would run alarmingly low, another truck would call and come, replenishing what had been taken.
So many hours, so many volunteers, so many donations and so many memories--all for the glory of God. Our prayer is that all these families who have been helped will thank God, not us, for all these things have come from Him. We also pray that He will be glorified as His children have been about the business of serving our community. We praise Him in this storm!
Even today, a co-worker of one of our members drove up and gave us a car--just signed over the title and asked us to give it to someone who needs it, literally hours after we heard of a family who needed a car. So many amazing stories such as this prove to us that He is real and working in all of our lives. God is good all the time.
Now, we are turning the page in our tornado relief efforts. Tomorrow we will be boxing up the remaining items we have in our gym and moving them to a smaller storage room. It is time for us to shift gears, as most of the storm victims in our county are now in temporary housing and on their way. Our new focus in the coming week will be to provide ongoing support to these families as well as to expand our outreach to some of the smaller towns in North Alabama who have not received as much attention or help.
As we turn this page, we ask that you please let anyone affected by the storms know that we are still here for them. If someone has a need, please call 256-232-2014, and our members will work with you to help you in any way we can.
We also ask for your continued monetary support. The road to recovery is long, and we will continue to accept monetary donations to buy whatever supplies are needed for these families and for communities in North Alabama. You may continue to donate in two ways:
So many people have told us we were changing lives over these past weeks. Actually, the lives we have changed have been our own. Our eyes have been opened to the tremendous needs all around us for the love of Jesus, and we know we will never be the same. We pray that we will continue to serve as fountains of His love in a world starving for grace. May we continue to shine the light of hope and peace that only comes through Jesus Christ as we continue on our journey to Love God, Love Each Other and Serve the World.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! We cannot say it enough. What an incredible two and a half weeks we have had at Central Church of Christ. It all started bright and early on the morning after the storm with work crews meeting at the church and going out to clear debris, cut trees, salvage memories and love families within our own church who were impacted by the storm. Later that day, ladies gathered to cook a wonderful spaghetti supper for all of us who had been working all day and who were without power. The next day, hot dog lunches and coolers of bottled water were delivered to these families and another meal was prepared as many of our members came to the church building to wash clothes and enjoy a few moments in a building that had lights and air conditioning!
As each day passed, our outreach grew. Neighbors of church members began to be blessed by our chainsaw crews. Word got out that Central was "making a big difference" in the tornado relief effort, and donations started coming into the building. We set up two folding tables outside the kitchen and marveled at how generous everyone was. We had no idea what was about to happen!
Over the weekend, more donations came in, and on Sunday, we came together to cry together, comfort each other and worship our King. Our church family who had power were incredibly kind to prepare an outstanding lunch for all of us who did not have power. We enjoyed a much needed time of fellowship with each other. The bounty was so plentiful that we packed up plates and set out delivering them in devastated areas around Limestone County. By Sunday, the magnitude of how widespread the damage was became our new reality. The shock wore off, and we got serious about helping in a big way.
The following week, fliers were created and distributed all around the community. We had announcements placed on all the local radio and television stations. What started with some spaghetti, hot dogs, bottled water and 2 little tables quickly grew and grew each day. When half the gym was full, we couldn't believe it. By the end of the week, the entire gym was full of food, cleaning supplies, baby items, kitchen essentials, linens, personal hygiene items, toys, school supplies and furniture. We received donations from so many in our community and also from Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Complete strangers whom none of us knew drove up with truckloads of supplies and asked us to help get them out to people in need. We are so thankful for all of these donations, and we are happy to say that we did just that.
Throughout that week, we helped dozens of families find temporary housing. Through the monetary donations we received, we helped pay deposits, buy mattresses, and create new "homes" for so many who had lost everything. We had so many God moments--a huge need would arise, such as a need for a house or a washer and dryer, and literally within minutes, someone would call or email with the answer to our prayer. Such a blessing to witness God's influence and comfort for these families in need! We helped families in Limestone County, Madison County, Phil Campbell, Cullman and beyond. Countless meals were prepared and shared. As our food and supplies would run alarmingly low, another truck would call and come, replenishing what had been taken.
So many hours, so many volunteers, so many donations and so many memories--all for the glory of God. Our prayer is that all these families who have been helped will thank God, not us, for all these things have come from Him. We also pray that He will be glorified as His children have been about the business of serving our community. We praise Him in this storm!
Even today, a co-worker of one of our members drove up and gave us a car--just signed over the title and asked us to give it to someone who needs it, literally hours after we heard of a family who needed a car. So many amazing stories such as this prove to us that He is real and working in all of our lives. God is good all the time.
Now, we are turning the page in our tornado relief efforts. Tomorrow we will be boxing up the remaining items we have in our gym and moving them to a smaller storage room. It is time for us to shift gears, as most of the storm victims in our county are now in temporary housing and on their way. Our new focus in the coming week will be to provide ongoing support to these families as well as to expand our outreach to some of the smaller towns in North Alabama who have not received as much attention or help.
As we turn this page, we ask that you please let anyone affected by the storms know that we are still here for them. If someone has a need, please call 256-232-2014, and our members will work with you to help you in any way we can.
We also ask for your continued monetary support. The road to recovery is long, and we will continue to accept monetary donations to buy whatever supplies are needed for these families and for communities in North Alabama. You may continue to donate in two ways:
- Mail a check to Central Church of Christ Tornado Relief, 320 U.S. Highway 31, Athens, AL 35611.
- Donate via Paypal at www.central-churchofchrist.com
So many people have told us we were changing lives over these past weeks. Actually, the lives we have changed have been our own. Our eyes have been opened to the tremendous needs all around us for the love of Jesus, and we know we will never be the same. We pray that we will continue to serve as fountains of His love in a world starving for grace. May we continue to shine the light of hope and peace that only comes through Jesus Christ as we continue on our journey to Love God, Love Each Other and Serve the World.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Weekend Challenge
"They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." 1 Timothy 6: 18-19
As the weekend approaches, those of us who have jobs look forward to a few days off. Those of us who have kitchens full of food look forward to a night out at a restaurant. Those of us with children look forward to spending time with our families at the baseball and soccer fields. Those of us who were not devastated by the force of nature two weeks ago, in other words, are getting on with our lives as normal.
All around us, though, are families who were devastated by the storms of 4-27-11. Daddies have lost their jobs because their business was blown away. Mommies don't know what to cook because just before the storm, they spent all their grocery money filling the refrigerator and freezer, and then they had to throw it all away after days without power. Children who once played weekend sports no longer can because there is no extra gas money in the family budget for all those trips to town, and Mommy and Daddy are too busy anyway trying to clean up all those trees that fell in the yard or on their house.
What is "normal" for these families? Will they ever feel "normal" again, ever look forward to a Friday night meal out at a restaurant again? How many months will it take to find a new job? How will they make the ends meet in the meantime? How will they survive now that they have "survived" this storm?
This weekend, I challenge you to do something a little different. Gather your family together and go spend a few hours with a family affected by the storm. Just show up with your chainsaw, rakes, and garbage bags and help them clean up their yard. Don't call first--they will tell you they are "fine" and don't need the help, but they will love you for helping. Invite some friends over who have lost their job and feed them a great meal, or take them out to eat your treat.
If you live out of state and cannot do any of these things, accept our weekend challenge this way: instead of spending your money on a meal out at a restaurant, donate the amount you would have spent to Central Church of Christ via Paypal at http://www.central-churchofchrist.com/. One hundred percent of the donations we are receiving towards Tornado Relief are going to the people who need our help. We are using this money to help them pay their rent, their utility bills, and their grocery bills. Tell your family why you are donating the money instead of going out to eat, and then stop and pray together as a family for your Christian family living in areas impacted by the storms. Your prayers will sustain and uplift, and our Father will continue to provide the comfort and reassurance they so desperately need.
May God bless you all--have a great weekend!
As the weekend approaches, those of us who have jobs look forward to a few days off. Those of us who have kitchens full of food look forward to a night out at a restaurant. Those of us with children look forward to spending time with our families at the baseball and soccer fields. Those of us who were not devastated by the force of nature two weeks ago, in other words, are getting on with our lives as normal.
All around us, though, are families who were devastated by the storms of 4-27-11. Daddies have lost their jobs because their business was blown away. Mommies don't know what to cook because just before the storm, they spent all their grocery money filling the refrigerator and freezer, and then they had to throw it all away after days without power. Children who once played weekend sports no longer can because there is no extra gas money in the family budget for all those trips to town, and Mommy and Daddy are too busy anyway trying to clean up all those trees that fell in the yard or on their house.
What is "normal" for these families? Will they ever feel "normal" again, ever look forward to a Friday night meal out at a restaurant again? How many months will it take to find a new job? How will they make the ends meet in the meantime? How will they survive now that they have "survived" this storm?
This weekend, I challenge you to do something a little different. Gather your family together and go spend a few hours with a family affected by the storm. Just show up with your chainsaw, rakes, and garbage bags and help them clean up their yard. Don't call first--they will tell you they are "fine" and don't need the help, but they will love you for helping. Invite some friends over who have lost their job and feed them a great meal, or take them out to eat your treat.
If you live out of state and cannot do any of these things, accept our weekend challenge this way: instead of spending your money on a meal out at a restaurant, donate the amount you would have spent to Central Church of Christ via Paypal at http://www.central-churchofchrist.com/. One hundred percent of the donations we are receiving towards Tornado Relief are going to the people who need our help. We are using this money to help them pay their rent, their utility bills, and their grocery bills. Tell your family why you are donating the money instead of going out to eat, and then stop and pray together as a family for your Christian family living in areas impacted by the storms. Your prayers will sustain and uplift, and our Father will continue to provide the comfort and reassurance they so desperately need.
May God bless you all--have a great weekend!
Supplies and Donations Needed for our Relief Center
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we do not give up." Galations 6:9
The energy of our volunteers is unbelieveable. In particular, Central Church of Christ has been blessed with some AMAZING ladies whose spirit of generosity and love is inspirational. Please stop reading this blog and bow your head to thank God right now for the blessings of these incredible women. Praise Him for creating these women who have worked morning, noon and night organizing, re-organizing, giving, gathering, praying, crying, laughing, and LOVING their community. Our Relief Center has been a blessing for so many in our area, and these women have made it all happen. THANK YOU to our ladies!
Now that you have praised God for these volunteers, please come and help us help our neighbors. These ladies are not growing weary of doing good--in fact, their energy seems to be growing as they are fueled to serve the Lord in this work. The word has gotten out, and so many families impacted by the storm have found refuge and help in our Relief Center. Some of our supplies have gotten low, so please stop by and donate the following items:
The energy of our volunteers is unbelieveable. In particular, Central Church of Christ has been blessed with some AMAZING ladies whose spirit of generosity and love is inspirational. Please stop reading this blog and bow your head to thank God right now for the blessings of these incredible women. Praise Him for creating these women who have worked morning, noon and night organizing, re-organizing, giving, gathering, praying, crying, laughing, and LOVING their community. Our Relief Center has been a blessing for so many in our area, and these women have made it all happen. THANK YOU to our ladies!
Now that you have praised God for these volunteers, please come and help us help our neighbors. These ladies are not growing weary of doing good--in fact, their energy seems to be growing as they are fueled to serve the Lord in this work. The word has gotten out, and so many families impacted by the storm have found refuge and help in our Relief Center. Some of our supplies have gotten low, so please stop by and donate the following items:
- Non-perishable foods: cereal, tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, granola bars, breakfast bars, snack crackers like Goldfish or Cheese-Its, drinks other than water such as Gatorade or juice boxes, peanut butter and jelly.
- Baby items
- Cleaning supplies: spray cleaners, trash bags, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, Comet, etc.
- Personal hygiene items: shampoo, conditioner, brushes, deodorant, feminine products, shaving cream, razors, soap, etc.
- Pet supplies: dog and cat food
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Shelter In the Storm
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalms 91:1
One of the most rewarding experiences of the past week (and there have been many) has been the opportunity to help families and children who were displaced by the storm find temporary housing. So many families escaped from closets, storm shelters, basements and cellars to walk into a nightmare. In a matter of a few terrifying seconds, the storms of April 27 ripped through wood, bricks and steel, leveling entire neighborhoods and destroying property all over Limestone County and the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
In those first few hours and days, story after story about lives spared or only one closet still standing in a house were passed around the community. Families were thankful for God's hand of protection over their lives. However, soon the reality set in that they were now, impossibly, homeless. Many of these new homeless families have moved in with relatives or friends, some took refuge in a hotel room, while still others struggled to rest on a cot in a makeshift shelter. Some slept for a few nights in a tent in their former yard, while still others slept in their cars.
We at Central are so proud to have worked with different teams of volunteers to help place families in temporary housing. As of this posting, all the children in the Athens City School system who were displaced by the storm are now sleeping in a safe place. As I was relaying this story to a friend today, she asked, "Where did you find all those rental houses?" My answer--God found them! Technology has been a wonderful tool for good over the past few days. When we discovered a need, our volunteers instantly sent out text message blasts, we posted a need on Facebook, listed the need on this blog, or simply worked the phones, calling everyone in our respective networks to find available housing. Within a few hours, in some cases minutes, we would receive answers to our requests. God has answered many prayers with Facebook postings this week!
Another blessing has been to see how Central volunteers have worked with volunteers from other organizations to secure property, furniture, and even toys for these families and children. Teachers, administrators, room Moms, and strangers, all tirelessly worked together to clean rental houses, set up furniture, hang blinds, make beds, stock pantries, buy new toys and bicycles, and even find washers and dryers to create a new home for these families who have suffered so much tragedy. What a blessing for that family to walk into a clean and furnished home and to be able to rest in a bed lovingly made by a stranger who only wants the best for them!
So many of you have been so kind to send us monetary donations, and we sincerely appreciate your generosity. We have been able to instantly use that money to bless these families, paying for security deposits, utility hook ups, first and second months' rent, etc. We are also so thankful to all of you who have donated furniture, appliances, kitchen essentials, and even linens, pillows and blankets. These resources have quickly gone to these families in their "new" homes, and we couldn't have done it without working together with so many in our community. As many of you know, it takes weeks for insurance or FEMA to come through with payouts for storm victims, and your generosity has made it possible for us to alleviate that financial stress and strain and just take care of these families in their time of need.
As we were out driving and handing out food and supplies to storm victims the weekend after the storm, I started crying. My 9-year-old son asked me what was wrong. I told him that I was so thankful we were all safe, and it made me so sad to see so many homes lost, in some cases just a few blocks away from where we live. He said, "Mommy, sticks and bricks don't make homes. It's the people who live inside who make it home." He was so right and so wise in his comforting words to me, and we are praying blesssings on these families in the weeks ahead in their new homes.
We describe people as being "tough as nails," "having nerves of steel," or being "stronger than a brick wall." On April 27, nails, steel and bricks were no match for these horrible storms. The true strength of those storms; however, came not in a description of the weather. The strength that has been amazing to witness is the true grit of these survivors and the volunteers who have been fighting for them. The strength of our community in this time of crisis has been a mighty force for good. And, most important of all, the strength of faith in our Father has been proven, as we have learned that true shelter can only be found in Him. Home is truly where the heart is, and our heart is with all of you. May God bless you all!
One of the most rewarding experiences of the past week (and there have been many) has been the opportunity to help families and children who were displaced by the storm find temporary housing. So many families escaped from closets, storm shelters, basements and cellars to walk into a nightmare. In a matter of a few terrifying seconds, the storms of April 27 ripped through wood, bricks and steel, leveling entire neighborhoods and destroying property all over Limestone County and the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
In those first few hours and days, story after story about lives spared or only one closet still standing in a house were passed around the community. Families were thankful for God's hand of protection over their lives. However, soon the reality set in that they were now, impossibly, homeless. Many of these new homeless families have moved in with relatives or friends, some took refuge in a hotel room, while still others struggled to rest on a cot in a makeshift shelter. Some slept for a few nights in a tent in their former yard, while still others slept in their cars.
We at Central are so proud to have worked with different teams of volunteers to help place families in temporary housing. As of this posting, all the children in the Athens City School system who were displaced by the storm are now sleeping in a safe place. As I was relaying this story to a friend today, she asked, "Where did you find all those rental houses?" My answer--God found them! Technology has been a wonderful tool for good over the past few days. When we discovered a need, our volunteers instantly sent out text message blasts, we posted a need on Facebook, listed the need on this blog, or simply worked the phones, calling everyone in our respective networks to find available housing. Within a few hours, in some cases minutes, we would receive answers to our requests. God has answered many prayers with Facebook postings this week!
Another blessing has been to see how Central volunteers have worked with volunteers from other organizations to secure property, furniture, and even toys for these families and children. Teachers, administrators, room Moms, and strangers, all tirelessly worked together to clean rental houses, set up furniture, hang blinds, make beds, stock pantries, buy new toys and bicycles, and even find washers and dryers to create a new home for these families who have suffered so much tragedy. What a blessing for that family to walk into a clean and furnished home and to be able to rest in a bed lovingly made by a stranger who only wants the best for them!
So many of you have been so kind to send us monetary donations, and we sincerely appreciate your generosity. We have been able to instantly use that money to bless these families, paying for security deposits, utility hook ups, first and second months' rent, etc. We are also so thankful to all of you who have donated furniture, appliances, kitchen essentials, and even linens, pillows and blankets. These resources have quickly gone to these families in their "new" homes, and we couldn't have done it without working together with so many in our community. As many of you know, it takes weeks for insurance or FEMA to come through with payouts for storm victims, and your generosity has made it possible for us to alleviate that financial stress and strain and just take care of these families in their time of need.
As we were out driving and handing out food and supplies to storm victims the weekend after the storm, I started crying. My 9-year-old son asked me what was wrong. I told him that I was so thankful we were all safe, and it made me so sad to see so many homes lost, in some cases just a few blocks away from where we live. He said, "Mommy, sticks and bricks don't make homes. It's the people who live inside who make it home." He was so right and so wise in his comforting words to me, and we are praying blesssings on these families in the weeks ahead in their new homes.
We describe people as being "tough as nails," "having nerves of steel," or being "stronger than a brick wall." On April 27, nails, steel and bricks were no match for these horrible storms. The true strength of those storms; however, came not in a description of the weather. The strength that has been amazing to witness is the true grit of these survivors and the volunteers who have been fighting for them. The strength of our community in this time of crisis has been a mighty force for good. And, most important of all, the strength of faith in our Father has been proven, as we have learned that true shelter can only be found in Him. Home is truly where the heart is, and our heart is with all of you. May God bless you all!
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