 |
Happy New Year!
Thank you to all of the volunteers that give an abundance of love, time, and efforts to "make a difference" in our local community!!
Quick Links...
NEED HELP??
Call Our 24/7 Helpline
301-482-0522
P.O. Box 28
Damascus, MD 20872
info@faith-connections.org
Please contact Debbie Tomlinson, Faith Connection's Program Director, at 301-512-7879 or Debbie@Faith-Connections.org if you are interested in serving in any of the Faith Connections ministries.
Volunteer Opportunity...
The Good Shepherd Team: Needs several volunteers to answer the help-line phone calls 2-3 days per month. This ministry provides assistance and referrals to families in our Damascus- Clarksburg community facing financial issues. You can serve from your home at your convenience.
This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need in your own local community.
For more information please call Debbie Tomlinson at 301-512-5130 or Debbie@Faith-Connections.org
Your Subscription:
|
|
|
Story of a "Nameless Servant" – Part 1
The needs within our local community bring us together as we work for the greater good of people. Since this is the case through Faith Connections, God is glorified and His church is seen as credible, not hypocritical. We aren't just talking the talk; we are walking the walk! As we serve people in need we become very real arms, hands, and the face of Jesus for those who do not know Him but desperately need Him. The special people that we serve may or may not recognize our faces because some of us work behind the scene. They may not necessarily know our names or the church from where they receive support, but when we serve in the right spirit, it doesn't matter who gets credit because it's really about God anyway.
I am a "nameless servant" and my life has been deeply touched by Jesus. He has broken my heart for the children that live in the Damascus Garden community. I've seen their lack of stability and witnessed the harsh environment where they reside. A place where sirens are often heard and the police are seen as the enemy. They are raised in an environment of distrust. The children are starved for affection. They need to be loved and protected. I know this because I show up each Tuesday to volunteer for the "Rock the House" after school program. I have become a familiar face over in the Gardens; not necessarily known by name, but the kids involved in the RTH program come up to me anyway they can...and they cling to me and want my undivided attention, which is why I know they are starved for affection. I play games with them and read with them, and offer my affections to the best of my ability...all of this happens by simply showing up.
Most likely if you are reading this newsletter you are a member of a church or our community, so this message is for each one of us, myself included. I'll close with a few thought provoking questions: How is God tugging at your heart? Who does your heart break for and how is God calling you to offer yourselves to make a difference in the lives of people that need Jesus?
Written by a Faith Connection' s "Nameless Servant" for Jesus
Holiday Giving
Thank you to all our Holiday Giving sponsors and donors! With your help, we blessed 263 local families in need with a Thanksgiving meal, and 333 families with gifts and food for Christmas! These gifts not only provided for their basic needs, but also gave these families hope in knowing that someone cares for them.
This year Greenridge Baptist Church, in Clarksburg, hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the residents of Clarksburg. The dinner provided a wonderful opportunity to meet new neighbors and to share a traditional Thanksgiving meal. We hope to continue this tradition as part of our annual Holiday Giving planning, so we can serve needy families with food and fellowship.
Thank you again for your support and love shared through the Holiday Giving project. You truly made a difference in the lives of many people, in our community.
The Damascus GED Program
The Damascus GED Program, sponsored by Faith Connections, celebrates Janice Cole's and Drew Taylor's accomplishment of passing the GED Exam, which is the equivalent of a high school diploma in Maryland. Pictured are Drew Taylor and Janice Cole.
Update on the Rock the House Program
Rock the House has had an amazing year so far! God has been so good and faithful in the big things and the little things! Our Christmas celebration was amazing! Let me share why!
Last year someone donated an amount of money to be used for RTH, it was a gift. We thought and tried to figure out what we could use the money for but nothing seemed right or was a good fit. Finally I knew that God wanted us to purchase Bibles for the kids and that's what we did. We purchased 30 Bibles for the children of RTH and I knew that we we could give them as Christmas gifts. As Christmas was approaching we were planning our party and getting the Bibles ready to give away as presents. One day I went to the program and there was a box of gender friendly toys! What a blessing, these toys were soon wrapped and ready to give with the Bibles. We figured each kid would have a Bible and a toy, which would be a blessing for them and for us. God was working things together! On the day of the party I have to run to the store about two hours before the party starts. On my way to the store I get a phone call from a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church saying they have two bags full of girl toys and they asked if I wanted them and I of course said yes! I went quickly to the church to pick them up and was amazed at the amount of toys that there was and the quality of toys! There were baby dolls, dress up, and more! It was amazing! I went back to the program and started putting the gifts around the tree and the tree was full of presents for these precious children of RTH. We decided that everyone would get a Bible, the boys would get two of the gender friendly toys, and the girls would get one of the large girl presents! It was so amazing how God worked everything out that day and it brought me to tears! The love that God has for us and for the children amazes me! The way he orchestrated everything, amazes me! We serve an amazing God who truly cares about us and the details of our lives! Let us never forget the love that God has for us and that He truly cares about us!
It is a true honor to work and to be the director of Rock the House! We would love for you to come join us one day for a day and to be with the kids! You will surely be blessed!
Thank you for all your support and prayers for Rock the House and we ask that you would continue to pray and support us! And remember...Jesus Loves You!
Happy New Year!
Thank you to all of the volunteers that give an abundance of love, time, and efforts to "make a difference" in our local community!!
It is with much thanks and appreciation from the Faith Connections Board, staff, volunteers, and community that we honor Jill Ochs in this month's newsletter for her time serving as the president of the Faith Connection's Board of Directors.
A Time of Transition
For the past few years I have been blessed to serve as the President of the Board for Faith Connections, working with so many wonderful volunteers and people who share a passion for serving needy families in our community. In recent years we have reorganized and refocused our efforts to help families become self-sufficient, and to improve their lives through education, emergency assistance and mentoring. We have expanded our volunteers, added three employees and strengthen our relationships with area churches and organizations, all leading to a deepened impact on our community.
Through my personal experience working with many children and families, I have decided to return to school to pursue a Master in the Art of Teaching degree and a career in education. In order to focus on my school work, I will be taking a leave of absence from the Faith Connections Board of Directors. I leave the Board in the competent hands of many other members, who will continue to grow and manage Faith Connections. During my studies, I will continue to serve as a member of the Good Shepherd team and as the Holiday Giving leader, and hope to return to serving on the Board in the future.
I encourage you to continue your support of Faith Connections during this time of transition. There are many opportunities for volunteering, leadership and support as Faith Connections continues to educate, encourage, and assist our needy neighbors. Thank you for your past and continued support for both Faith Connections and me.
Blessings,
Jill Ochs
|
|
