Living the Mission: Panera Bread

My name is Brandi Terrell. My family and I have been helping with the Panera Bread ministry for several months. This involves picking up the unsold bread from Panera on Thursday nights and delivering it to Cloverleaf Apartments (a Virginia Supportive Housing facility for individuals who have been chronically homeless) on Fridays. When I first heard about the need for someone to take over the job, I was interested but didn't know how I'd find the time. God kept speaking though, so finally I volunteered. It's amazing to see how God worked out the details! The Lusk family, some good friends of ours, pick the bread up on Thursday nights and we all meet on Friday mornings to deliver it. I'm able to bring my kids with me and involve them. They LOVE knowing they are helping others and look forward to the opportunity to serve God every week. Although we don't get to see many of the tenants, those that we do see are always smiling and thankful. I have found it to be a true blessing to see God work in the lives of my children and myself, all while doing something to help others!

~Brandi Terrell

Living the Mission: USS Normandy

Spreading Christmas Cheer with the Crew and Families of the USS NORMANDY

Our church had the privilege of adopting the USS NORMANDY during their recent deployment. As part of our support we hosted and cared for their children in cooperation with their monthly Family Readiness Group (FRG) meetings, sent care packages to the single Sailors, and sent a huge signed 4th of July banner to the ship. On December 20 a team from our church delivered goodie bags to the single Sailors returning from deployment.

Bronson Simmons, Journey Ministry Intern, had the opportunity to take part in this outreach and found it to be a very meaningful time: "I got to participate in the excitement as loved ones greeted their Sailors at the deployment's end; hugs and kisses were passionately passed around and many thanks were given for the bags of treats we handed out to the single Sailors. A great moment was the appreciation from my good friend and fellow First Norfolk member when we welcomed him home; it was truly a great opportunity to bring the fragrance of Christ to the crew and families of the ship!"

Living the Mission: Women on Mission

Every month, WOM is involved in changing lives through local ministry projects. At Easter we collected and assembled 300+ Baskets of Blessings—Easter baskets filled with candy and gifts—for Edmarc Children's Hospice, Union Mission, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, and Outreach for Christ. In October, WOM assisted with bingo nights at Cloverleaf Apartments, a supportive housing complex in Virginia Beach. In November we assembled and distributed 200+ toiletry packets filled with items donated by church members to the Union Mission. In December we hosted a Christmas luncheon for Beacon House, a recreation facility for brain-injured adults. This month we are coordinating a baby bottle fundraiser for the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Elaine Johnson (a resident of Gosnold Apartments, a Virginia Supportive Housing facility in Norfolk) was impacted by the monthly bingo games hosted by our church in which the Women on Mission took part several years ago. She started attending First Baptist, joined a Bible Study group, gave her life to Christ, and was baptized. Elaine is now a member of our church and has participated in WOM activities and Big Serve.

Women on Mission invites YOU to join them on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Lynette Hare at 461-3226 or lhare@firstnorfolk.org for details.

Buckets of Hope flyer

Buckets of Hope

Buckets of Hope

St. Lucia is one of the Windward Islands located in the Eastern Caribbean. It lies just south of Martinique and is known for its ecotourism as a popular vacation destination.

On October 31, 2010 the island of Saint Lucia was ravaged by Hurricane Tomas. While no part of the island was left unscathed, the town of Soufriere was most affected. Thirty hours of rain on the small tropical island caused heavy damage to the town of Soufriere—the most recognized part of the island.

As a native of Soufriere, St. Lucia and a graduate of Regent University, I am asking churches to help put together I000 Buckets of Hope for the people of Soufriere, St.Lucia. I have patterned with Hope Charitable Services of Virginia Beach, VA. They are helping make this possible. See the flyer for details (also posted on the blog).


The Government of St. Lucia has already set-up various means of contributing support. It is the desire of this effort to work in a complementary fashion, if at all, as I consider how best to help. It is also known that many activities have taken place and others are being planned in the days and months to come.

We would like to have all hope buckets ready and available to be picked or delivered by Thursday, February 3rd at 1541 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 between the hours of 9:30 AM. TO 2:30 P.M.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I look forward to answering any further questions. For more information or to contact Hope Charitable Services or call one of the following individuals:

Frank Allan: 757-393-0664 or Cyril Mc Kenzie: 757-761-0971


Sincerely,



Harvey Cenac

cenacharvey@gmail.com

757-597-8863



Please refer to the list below for items that are urgently needed.

Many thanks for your generosity.



· Powdered milk

· Canned Fish/tuna/sardine/salmon

· Canned meat/corned beef/sausage

· Rice

· Pasta

· Flour, Sugar, Salt, Oil

· Vinegar

· Powder seasoning

· Canned soup

· Canned vegetables

· Dried peas and beans

· Hot & cold cereal

· Coffee/tea/hot chocolate

· Toilet paper, bath soap

· Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Combs/brushes

· Rubber gloves, bleach, disinfectant

GroupServe Newsletter [January/February]

gsjanuaryfebruary2011

Living the Mission: Project Comfort

Project Comfort was started in 2007 by members of the Women of the Word Bible Study class who wanted to learn how to quilt and has since grown into a church-wide local community mission. Items provided by Project Comfort include quilts, knit hats, breast cancer angel pins, comfort pillows used by cancer and surgical patients as well as children in wheelchairs, salvation bracelets, and bibs needed by young adults. These give the recipients comfort in times of stress, and the list continues to grow as God reveals needs in our community.

The arms of Project Comfort have reached far and wide. A 23rd Psalm quilt was sent to Korea to give strength to a pastor in need of uplifting. Our own Ruth Olbris received a special quilt which was prayed over as we petitioned the Father to hold Ruth in the palm of His great healing hands as He walks with her through her battle with cancer. Project Comfort’s goal is that the items provided to those in need cover them with our prayers, give them hope, and draw them to God so that they might experience His love and see their need of Him.

Contact Debbie Allen (757-318-0047) for more information or to get involved with this ministry.

Needs of Virginia Supportive Housing Residents

We received this email today listing needs at VSH. Consider helping these residents some of whom are in Portsmouth's new facility.

Great news! VSH is very excited to welcome five new clients into our permanent supportive properties this week, with another 15 scheduled to move in during January & February. These individuals have all experienced the hardships of chronic homelessness and own very few personal possessions. No furniture, no bedding, no dishes. What can you do to help? Your donations of everyday household items can give a warm welcome to these clients and transform their new housing into a Home. The following items will be gratefully accepted for immediate distribution to new VSH tenants: Gently Used: Pots & Pans Plates & Cups Cooking Utensils Eating Utensils New: Twin sheet sets Pillows Blankets Towels Other: Peanut Butter Pasta Cereal Canned vegetables Non-perishable food items To get more information, request a complete list of move-in items, or receive a list of needed non-perishable food items, just click here. On behalf of all of us at Virginia Supportive Housing, thank you for sharing your abundance with those in need!

Join Our Mailing List! Virginia Supportive Housing P.O. Box 8585 Richmond, Virginia 23226 804.788.6825