Hope your December is going well! Toys can continue to be dropped off at Whispering Oak Elementary School through today. Socks and underwear can be dropped off with Scott B (call 407.654.9661). Grocery gift cards can be dropped off at HOUSE BLEND CAFE.

The next Church of West Orange mtg is January 6th at 9:30am at HOUSE BLEND CAFE. Hope to see you there.

BY THE WAY – Next Community Church is hosting David Bailey January 24th. Details below:

What an amazing mtg the Church of West Orange had this last Wednesday as we gave updates on all that’s going on with the Church of West Orange. It’s not even 2010 yet, and we already are focused big time with our 3 emphases for the coming year – the homeless, the hungry, and families in crisis. Here are some highlights from the meeting:

FOOD FOR FAMILIES_The Church of West Orange supported Mark Anthony and the Bread of Life ministry during the Food for Families Thanksgiving project. Mark shared that 1100 families were served with boxes of groceries delivered by volunteers from various church families in the area. One volunteer commented to her pastor after having delivered to a family that spoke a different language than her, “There’s no language barrier when you are loving somebody and caring for somebody.” That’s for sure! Be praying for Bread of Life, though. One of their main trucks is in need of an engine replacement. The cost is approximately $13,000. If you or someone you know may be willing to help, please let us know.

BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES_Alison with Bethany Christian Services gave us an update on their efforts to enlist families to be care families for kids from families in serious crisis. The goal was 10 families enlisted to serve by the end of 2009, and she said it looks like they will meet it! The Church of West Orange is encouraging people from our various local church families to get involved. The goal is to have 15 more families approved and ready to serve by June 2010. If you want more info, please comment below, and we will connect you with Alison.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD_Tom Welch gave an update on how the Operation Christmas Child effort went in November. There were over 1300 boxes submitted for delivery. There’s going to be a lot of happy kids all over the world this Christmas. He also shared a neat story that he learned during the project. A local family who had given a box last year sent a letter and contact information inside the box hoping to create some writing back and forth. Well, it did more than that. The orphan who received it wrote back, and the family eventually adopted him. Amazing!!!

FREEZE WARNING MINISTRY_Sarah Rosenburg updated us on the efforts to rally volunteers from among the Church of West Orange to be on call for the winter nights coming up when the temp falls below 42 degrees. The ministry is called “Freeze Warning,” and it provides sheltering in local church buildings for the homeless on those particularly cold and rainy nights. The next organizational meeting will be Thursday, DECEMBER 10TH at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden. Park in the parking lot at Boyd and Newell Streets for the Fellowship Hall. In case you need it, the address is 125 N. Lakeview Avenue, Winter Garden, 34787. For more info, comment below, and we will connect you with Sarah.

SERVING THE HOMELESS AT HOUSE BLEND CAFE ON THANKSGIVING_Josh Taylor, GM of the cafe gave us an update on how things went Thanksgiving day. Many homeless came and received showers, hair cuts, clothes, a meal (on china and real silver ware), and more. There was an abundance of volunteers. It was an amazing time! One neat tidbit – a boy who was part of a homeless family that was there commented, “It’s been so long since we’ve eaten with real silver ware instead of a spork.” Later, another person receiving clothes took only one item and said, “There will be people who come along who need this more than me.” Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall see the Kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3). The West Orange Times did a write up about the service project. You can read it by clicking here.

THE HOMELESS CD PROJECT_Mark Marsden shared an update on the homeless CD project. Things are falling into place for recording to be done by early January. The goal will be to make the CD available for purchase through the various local expressions of the Church of West Orange around Valentine’s Day. All proceeds will go to helping us purchase a shower trailer to provide showers for the homeless in the community. If you would be willing to help fund the production of the CD so that all of the proceeds can go to the shower trailer, please let us know by commenting below.

CAREER SEMINAR_Mark also mentioned that St. Pauls Pres (their campus is in Ocoee across from teh West Oaks Mall on hwy 50) will be hosting a Career Seminar on February 4th from 5:30 to 8:30. Comment below for more info, and we will connect you with Mark.

SUNDAY EMPHASES IN DECEMBER_as we announced last month, every Sunday in December (and some at other times), church families with the Church of West Orange are trying to collect toys (Dec 6th), socks (Dec 13th), underwear (Dec 20th), and grocery gift cards (Dec 27th) for impoverished families in the community. The TOYS can be dropped off to the office lobby of Whispering Oak Elementary School up to December 16th during school hours. We are working on the details for where to drop off the socks and underwear and grocery cards and will let you know ASAP. Be looking in 2010 for various weekly emphasis for collecting items, as well.

PRAYER AND PRAISE TOGETHER FOR THE WEST ORANGE COMMUNITY_plans are in the works for the Church of West Orange to gather together January 28th at 7pm to simply pray for and praise God for our local community, seeking wisdom as to how we can better be the church together to West Orange County and beyond. Please make plans to join us. We will let you know the location in the coming week.

We closed the meeting by asking a question for us all to ponder in the coming weeks – what if we resourced together to create a shared church facility that was not just for gathering?

What if we resourced together to create a shared church facility that embodied the essence of Luke 4:14-21 and Matthew 25:31-46?

Feeding the hungry. Sheltering the homeless. Providing help to families in crisis. Educating in basic life skills. Enabling reentry through job placement and financial counseling. And more. Pray with us. It just seems to me that God would smile on that.

Love y’all. Let’s keep being the church together.

-jason

The Church of West Orange will be serving the homeless of our community together on Thanksgiving Day at HOUSE BLEND CAFE. There will be services like showers and haircuts and more for the homeless from 1:00 to 4:30. Then, from 5:00 to 8:30, we will serve Thanksgiving supper.

Below are items we will need that day. If you can help to provide them, please drop them off at HOUSE BLEND CAFE. If you are able to make it that day to serve, please let Josh Taylor know (JoshT@houseblendcafe.com).

PLEASE BAG THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN QUART SIZE, ZIP-LOCK BAGGIES (all items are to be miniature size, like the items you get in a hotel):

• shampoo
• conditioner
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• disposable razor
• body soap (liquid preferred)
• lotion

OTHER ITEMS:

• towels, so that each individual can dry off
• clothing that is clean, not torn or tattered
• sweaters and jackets
• socks and underwear

Please drop off the items at the cafe by November 24th.

 

Another amazing time together November 4th. Here’s a run down:

_we began with an update from Alison about Bethany Christian Services and the upcoming mtg for families interested in serving families in crisis. November 10th at HOUSE BLEND CAFE at 6pm. Please email Alison (ASchminke@bethany.org) to RSVP and for details. Also, PICK UP A BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES DVD short film to share with your church family this Sunday at HOUSE BLEND CAFE!!!

_we then discussed how the meals at HOUSE BLEND CAFE are coming together for Friday nights in November. Everyone was encouraged to get the word out. $2.99 per plate, unless a family simply can’t afford. But, we are sharing with all who have need. So, those who come who can give more will cover the cost of those who come and can’t afford it. Thanks to Josh Taylor and the cafe team and so many awesome volunteers from the Church of West Orange!!!

_we also discussed how things are coming together for Thanksgiving Day when we will provide services for the homeless of the community. Showers. Haircuts. Meals. Clothes. And more. Volunteer by commenting here or stopping by HOUSE BLEND CAFE.

_we then heard from Mark Anthony about an opportunity for families to deliver groceries to families who need them on Thanksgiving Day. On the night of November 25th @ Ocoee HS from 7 to midnight, people will be sorting and packing food. They also need drivers that night to pick up items from 17 different stores supporting the program. Then, people can come by from 8 to 10 on Thanksgiving Day to grab groceries and destinations and deliver the packed up food out to families in Ocoee, Winter Garden, and Oakland. THEY STILL NEED MORE FOOD, so please stop by Publix and purchase a “food bag” to support the ministry. Contact Mark Anthony for more details – breadoflifefellowship@embarqmail.com.

_we then gave an update on the production of a CD full of music from the homeless of Orlando Metro that will be sold after the New Year in order to raise funds for two shower trailers for the homeless. Please pray for this endeavor and stay tuned for more details.

_Tom Welch then shared with us about Operation Christmas Child collection going on at the Roper YMCA. Volunteers are needed the week of Nov 16th to help pack up boxes. Then, the BIG DAY is Nov 22nd when all the boxes are loaded up and taken to be shipped off for distribution. Please contact Deb Thompson through the Y to volunteer. And get those boxes in!!!

_next, we talked about making Sundays in December an emphasis Sunday for giving ourselves away locally as the Church of West Orange. Here’s the run down:

• December 6th – Toy Sunday – to provide toys for families in need this Christmas
• December 13th – Sock Sunday – to provide socks for those who need them
• December 20th – Undy Sunday – to provide underwear for those who need it
• December 27th – Grocery Card Sunday – to kick off the new year by providing groceries to families

_finally, we talked about gathering to PRAY AND PRAISE together on New Years Eve from 5 to 6:30. Location TBA. It will simply be a time to join with anyone from the community who wants to come to seek the Lord for wisdom on how we can best be the church here in this community along with praising Him for letting us be a part of His loving and restorative work among us.

It is such a blessing to be the church together with you. 2010 is gonna rock the house. Let’s keep living beyond self together.

BTW – here’s a thought I heard from a friend in September:

What would happen if every church in our community put the needs of the other churches above their own? Humbled themselves? I bet God would bless their church family and the community in ways they never ever imagined.

Let’s do that. I love you.

-jason

We have an opportunity to help families in crisis RIGHT NOW. Bethany Christian Services, primarily out of Chicago, has opened a chapter here in Central Florida. They are looking for 10 qualified families right here in our community who can serve families in crisis as intervention prior to children entering the Foster Care system. It is a chance to help families in crisis to regroup and refocus and bounce back, taking care of the kids so that can happen.

Click here to watch a video about Bethany Christian Services.

SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?

• Share with your friends and church family about the need for 10 families by the end of the year.
• Invite those families interested to come to a mtg on November 10th at HOUSE BLEND CAFE.
• Supper starts at 6pm. The info session begins at 6:30.
• It’s an amazing chance to be a home and to be hope and to be a mentor to children in crisis and to to a family in need.
• CONTACT ALISON (ASchminke@bethany.org) with Bethany Christian Services to RSVP for the meeting on November 10th.

Before 2010 begins, we have the chance to prepare to be the church to families in crisis.

Here are two resrouces to help you share with friends and family (CLICK ON THEM):

• Safe Families print poster
• Safe Families 2nd print poster

What an exciting last meeting together. Not only did we talk about a few pressing issues, which I will post about here in a just a few minutes, but we forecasted a plan for 2010 in which we decided to emphasize a few basic things. We said we would focus together in 2010 on these three specific issues facing our community:

• HUNGER
• HOMELESSNESS
• FAMILIES IN CRISIS

More details to come in the coming weeks on exactly how. We also said we would look to serve the community together on a grand scale in both April and October. AND, we said we would gather to pray for our community and worship together at least twice – probably January and June.

How awesome it will be for the community to know that we follow Jesus because of our love for one another!!! How awesome it will be for the unity of our community to be cultivated by the unity of the church families of our community!!! How awesome it will be for our community to taste the love and hope and purpose and significance of the God who came near!!!

Let’s keep being the church together!

NEXT MTG: November 4th at 9:30am @ HOUSE BLEND CAFE.

Tammy Combs was with us for the first time. Heart is for students in the West Orange community. She would like to see a skate park and other community concepts for students out here. We connected her with David Buckles and some other resources. Can’t wait to see what blossoms out of that togetherness.

Mark Anthony with Bread of Life was with us for the first time, too. He shared with us how Bread of Life is helping the hunger issues of Central Florida. He also shared with us about the danger of the Food for Families program being threatened by decisions made from one of their major suppliers. He will keep us posted there and continue to connect and serve with us.

Sarah from Ocoee Oaks reminded us of their AngelFood distribution that happens the 3rd Saturday of each month. We are hoping to work together to see other distribution times and locations.

St. Luke’s Church is offering several seminars for folks job hunting. They are at 7pm three different nights coming up. The dates and focuses are:

• 9-15 – resumes
• 9-29 – networking
• 10-13 – behavioral interviewing

It was announced for those interested that the next “Freeze Warning Ministry” mtg is Sept 17th. This ministry focus is preparing to serve the homeless during the coming winter months by organizing to provide cold weather items and housing for the homeless. Contact Tommy Novak for more details. 

Al Tollinchi visited with us for the first time, too. His heart is to purchase two shower trailers for the homeless and coordinate monthly (maybe twice a month) events for the homeless. His hopes are to one day offer showers, hair cuts, dental work, medical attention, social services, food, laundry assistance, and more at each event. Mark Marsden mentioned an opportunity coming up that might help to fund this. WE WILL GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS SOON WHEN MARK GETS BACK WITH US!

NEXT MTG is SEPTEMBER 30th @ House Blend Cafe at 9:30. The agenda for that meeting will be to update on the above, as well as set three to five priorities for 2010 and begin organizing to be the church together through to West Orange county. Please carve out time to be there.

Post at you later.

-jason

PS: check out HumanityBeautiful.com for some upcoming news and resources to encourage the people you do life with to live beyond self.

Hey guys and gals…so looking forward to connecting tomorrow morning at House Blend Cafe. See you there at 9:30am. Can’t wait to hear about what you’ve been prepping for and looking ahead to already while I was absent for four months. Thanks so much for your prayers and notes during that time. This truly is a together thing. I was so thankful to see our togetherness continue over the summer. It seems to me now more than ever so significant to be the church together and really affect city change. Let’s come ready to pray and dream and strategize.

Also, I’m launching a new online news site. Check it out and let me know your thoughts – HumanityBeautiful.com.

 See you @ House Blend Cafe!

-jason

St. Luke’s wanted us to make sure to communicate with you about an upcoming job seminar. Probably very meaningful for a lot of folks in the West Orange area. Let your church families know!

Here’s the flier:

St. Luke’s UMC Job Search Seminar

Skill & Strategies for Finding a Job in Today’s Tough Economy

When: Saturday, May 9, 16, 23

Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Where: Building C – Attic

Cost: FREE

Seminar Overview:  

• All about referrals 
• Researching job boards 
• Using newspapers &
• Corporation’s websites 
• Job fairs 
• Resume styles
• Cover letters 
• Interview techniques 
• Telephone follow-up

Call Carol for information/reservation - 407-876-4991 x262

Thanks to everyone planning on “SERVING TOGETHER” April 18th!!! It’s easy to sign up and get connected to serve. Here’s how to join the service project of your choice. PLEASE READ ALL THE DIRECTIONS BEFORE CLICKING THE LINK BELOW:

• After you click on the link to the website below, click on the dropdown in the middle of the page “select your organization.”
• Scroll all the way down to the “T’s.” 
• Click on “The Church of West Orange.”
• Type in “member” for the password.
• Click “login.” This will bring you to a page entitled “Group Finder Main Menu.”
• Click on “Browse Service Projects.”
• Read through the groups available. Once you find the group you want to join, click on “join the group.” A pop-up window will come up entitled “Select your name from the list.”
• More than likely, your name will not be on that list, so select either “add yourself as an individual” or “add yourself as a couple.”
• Enter your information thoroughly so that the group leader can contact you. Then, click “continue.”
• You have at that time joined the group and submitted your info. You should get a confirmation email from “groupfinder@churchteams.com”
• THE GROUP LEADER WILL BE CONTACTING YOU SOON to talk about the details of  serving April 18th.
• CLICK HERE to visit the website where you can find a group.

Here’s the plan for April 18th:

• Show up to your project site for your service project at the location and time your group leader communicates to you.
• Serve together.
• Arrive at the “Bloom and Grow Festival” in downtown Winter Garden on Plant Street by 12:30. Pick up some food and head over to the gymnasium on the campus of First Baptist Church of Winter Garden. 
• Celebrate together the awesome opportunity we have had to serve together. Share stories and be grateful for what we’ve had the chance to do.
• Head back out and enjoy the festival while connecting with the people of the community!!!

We can’t wait to serve together and to celebrate together. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions. We will try to get back with you as soon as possible! 

What a blessing to BE THE CHURCH TOGETHER to West Orange County and beyond.

In case you want to print out a flyer and share it with others OR need a promo slide for your media for Sunday gathering, here’s the sign up promo in PDF format:

sign up to serve together