fall 2011 Service Opportunities

Please make a note of the dates and plan to take part! More details will be publicized for all the events as they come closer, including additional food prep dates when we’re providing a meal.

Saturday, September 24—Rejoicing Spirits 5K Walk Run—As a participating congregation, we receive materials and guidance from Rejoicing Spirits to host these special services. Let’s support their outreach, and reach more and more congregations!

Sunday, October 2, 1-4pm—Animal Lifeline Thrift Shop, Warrington (Please gather in the lower church parking lot at 12:30.)—This thrift shop is part of a chain of thrift shops which support animal rescue efforts. The chain was started by an animal rescue worker who found the job so emotionally draining that she started a store to support rescue work rather than continue doing it herself. The shop is totally volunteer-run and provides veterinary care in poor communities, including a low cost spay and neuter program. They have a small cat shelter (currently housing 4 cats), support other animal shelters with financial donations and items from their animal food bank, and have supported various programs in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties. Additionally, they have sent donations to projects in Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, North & South Carolina, and Oklahoma.  It’s amazing to think this little shop has been able to have such far-reaching effects!

Their wish, when asked how a group from our church could help, was physical help because their volunteers cannot manage to keep the store clean! It is jam-packed and the only day it is closed is Sunday. Please plan to come and support this worthy cause!  We’ll also be returning in November to set up their “Holiday Shop” as well, which is an especially profitable time for them.

Brochures about the shop and a sign-up sheet are in the Narthex.

Monday, October 17—Providing dinner to 320 homeless at Chosen 300 in Spring Garden—Cooking sessions will be held after church on Sunday, October 9 and 16.  Please sign up in the Narthex. We will leave the church as a group at 4:00pm on October 17, or people can join us at the site after work to help serve, beginning at 6:30pm.

There are specially-marked envelopes in the pews with which you can contribute to the meals we prepare for the homeless guests of Chosen 300 Ministries. And, of course, always feel free to mail a check to the church office, payable to the church but indicating this is where you want the money to go!

There are two things that separate Chosen 300 from other food programs/soup kitchens. 1) Their focus is not just on feeding the hungry, as meals are preceded by worship services to share the Good News and feelings of hope. 2) The staff also promotes the idea that the homeless are not helpless and actively publicize job opportunities, offer counseling, and work to empower their guests with the idea that they are responsible for helping themselves as well as accepting help from others. We hope you’ll feel moved to contribute to this wonderful outreach ministry!

Tuesday, October 25—Providing dinner at University Lutheran for a mere 100 people this time!—These dinners serve HIV+ or AIDS victims, some of whom are also homeless. This ministry has been in place for 20+ years! We are looking for cooks to do some food prep at home to prepare for this meal. We’ll leave the church as a group at 3:30pm that afternoon.

Saturday, November 5—Special Olympics—Come to Villanova to support Scott Otterbein’s walking and running team.

Sunday, November 13—Animal Lifeline Thrift Shop—1:00-4:00. Our return trip will be to help set up their shop for the holidays, when they anticipate plentiful holiday decoration sales.

If you have questions about any of these events,

please contact Dorie Ramsdell (215-886-0753 or tadramsdell@aol.com).