Who Is My Neighbor?

Who Is My Neighbor? (Bubba)

Sometimes it’s not a human who most effectively reaches out to those who are hurting. Sometimes that care comes from a four-legged friend.  

Carol Denker retired a year and a half ago from Pekin Insurance and was home for about two months before realizing that wasn’t going to work for her.  That’s when she and Bubba got to know each other and became family.  Bubba is a four year old Golden Doodle (a poodle and golden retriever mix) who Al and Carol adopted when he was two years old.  But Carol didn’t just adopt Bubba…..she and Bubba went through extensive obedience training in order for him to become a Certified Therapy Dog.

God has given us so many forms of comfort and healing in this creation and animals are one of those gifts.  Carol and Bubba go to nursing homes where the residents just light up when seeing him.  Of course many of these residents have had special pets in their lives and having to give them up was another major loss.  Bubba helps to fill that void by allowing the residents to love on him all they want.

Carol and Bubba also go to Illinois State University for PAWsitively Stress Free.  The students can take study breaks and love on the various therapy dogs who are visiting.  Dogs aren’t just for petting, however.  At the Bloomington Public Library, children read to Bubba.  At Blair House, Bubba goes around the circle of residents to love on people and then folks are able to ask Carol questions about this ministry.

Carol lost her only daughter to a car accident on Christmas Day in 2004 and knows what it’s like to be at the lowest point possible.  When I asked her what prompted her to be a part of Hope Therapy Dogs, she said she wanted to give back.  “If I can bring a smile to someone who’s having a hard time, that’s what I want to do.  It gives me peace.”

Bubba’s neighbor is whoever needs him on that particular day…...what a gift of unconditional love to so many people who just need a furry friend. 

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path

About the Authors

Carol Denker is a member of Calvary UMC
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Who Is My Neighbor (Operation Christmas Child)

I am inspired by Lindsey Anderson.  One of her family’s favorite things to do around Christmas time has been to participate in the Operation Christmas Child Ministry by Samaritan’s Purse that Calvary supports every year.  This is a ministry that collects a some necessary items (like toothbrushes) as well as some fun items (like small toys) for children in need throughout the world.  Read more at:  https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/) 

Last year, Calvary filled 364 boxes to be sent wherever needed in the world.  However, Lindsey read on the Samaritan's Purse website of a girl who packs 20,000 boxes each year!  Lindsey thought, “That’s a lot…..what if I started with 100 and then maybe I work up from there.”  So for Christmas last year, what did she ask for?  She asked for 100 Operation Christmas Child Shoe boxes to fill!  As of the end of February, she’s already finished 25 boxes with lots of supplies on hand to pack more.

I asked Lindsey why she was so passionate about this.  “I love to go to the Operation Christmas Child website and see the kids’ faces when they open their shoebox and the joy it gives them.”  But that’s not all that Lindsey does.  Taking a page from her local FCA chapter (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) who suggested that some of the recipients won’t know who Jesus is, Lindsey always writes a personal note to each recipient which she puts in the shoeboxes!  Those notes tell the recipients about Jesus and that Jesus loves them!  Of course she doesn’t know who will receive any of the boxes, but that doesn’t matter.  She puts love in each box and knows that the recipient will be the person God wants for that particular box.

In fact, Lindsey sometimes puts hats or scarves in the boxes.  Her mom, Kristin Anderson asked, “But what if that box ends up in the hands of someone in a hot climate?”  Lindsey feels that each box is directed by God to go to the child who is supposed to receive it.  Done!  

Many people are helping Lindsey to reach her goal.  Through Facebook, her friends, and word of mouth, she is guiding people on what to collect, where to find things on sale, and when the best times are to buy certain items.  She even wrote letters to local business and got some cool things through that effort!  

Part of this process is providing money for the postage to mail the boxes.  Lindsey is saving her birthday money, babysitting money, and will be doing a garage sale this summer in order to earn enough money to send these boxes.

While most 14-year-old girls are asking for cool birthday parties where you stay up all night and tell stories, Lindsey asked her friends to bring items for shoeboxes and at her birthday slumber party, she and her friends packed boxes!  She asked her friends to bring pictures of themselves with their addresses to put in boxes so the recipients have the opportunity to stay in touch if they choose to do so.  Her enthusiasm is contagious…...not only is she a blessing to those children who will receive these boxes, she is teaching her friends that same gift of generosity!

Lindsey does a lot of research on what is most needed for this ministry and has found that the greatest need is for boxes directed to boys ages 10-14.  People apparently find it easier to shop for girls than for boys, so Lindsey has ‘specialized’ in ways that she can pack things that this age group of boys would appreciate.

One of the things that Lindsey wants to do in the future is to go to one of the processing centers for Operation Christmas Child…..Disney World?  Nah…….Lindsey has bigger dreams.

In 2016, there were 11 million boxes for Operation Christmas Child from the US.  Thanks to Lindsey, this year, there will be least 11 million, one hundred.

To help Lindsey reach her goal or to ask her more about this, just find her on Facebook or respond here and we’ll make sure she gets your support!

When I grow up, I want to be like Lindsey Anderson and change the world….one box at a time!

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light To My Path (Mark 11:1-11)

About the Authors

Lindsey Anderson is a member of Calvary UMC
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Who Is My Neighbor? (Calvary Garden)

Question:  How does a community collect 4,660 pounds of fresh produce to give to those who can’t afford to buy them in the stores?  
Answer:  One bean at a time.

Have you ever noticed what the most expensive items are in the grocery store?  Other than the obvious things like meats, it is expensive to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables.  If you are trying to feed a family on an income that barely pays the mandatory bills, it’s understandable that you would save money in the grocery store by purchasing items that are less expensive and stretch further…..usually highly processed foods.

In our ‘Who Is My Neighbor’ post about Home Sweet Home Ministries a few weeks ago, we told you that we donated 4,660 pounds of produce to Home Sweet Home’s Food Co-Op in 2016.  Pretty incredible, right?  But that food didn’t just appear at Calvary’s doorstep to be delivered to those in need.

It started with a vision in Fred Nimke’s heart…...a desire to use some of Calvary’s property to feed others.  This is truly a ministry of hard work, dirt, and lots of time.  I grew up on a farm and my brothers and I can still remember the dread of hearing my mother in the garden in the very early hours because we knew we would have jobs of breaking beans or shelling peas later in the day.  If only it were that easy.  The servants in Calvary’s Community Garden will soon be preparing the ground, planting seed, weeding, watering, building trellises, planting, weeding, watering, weeding (do you see a theme here?)....and finally…...harvesting one crop after.

Now let’s move to the other end of this process…….the shoppers at Home Sweet Home’s Food Co-Op.  This is much more than a food pantry where people can come in and pick up food when they need it.  This system invests in those using it and requires the participants to give back by volunteering somewhere in the community or Home Sweet Home for 2 hours per each shopping trip they make.  This builds a community of reciprocity in which people know they are not just recipients but active participants in the process.

I learned never to tell my mother that I was bored in the spring or summer…...there were always weeds to be pulled in the garden and I wasn’t interested in doing that!  I am so very grateful for the many people at Calvary who find time to get down on their knees in the dirt and pull those weeds, water the garden, and complete so many other crucial duties in our central Illinois hot and muggy summers…...all for produce that will be given to folks we may never meet.

What a great way to honor our neighbors throughout Bloomington/Normal as we partner with them to provide affordable fresh produce.

Thank you, planters and weeders alike!

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path

About the Author

Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Who Is My Neighbor? (Safe Harbor)

The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'  Matthew 25:40

Service at Safe Harbor gives us the opportunity to take Jesus’ words very literally; when we serve food and drink to the least in our community through serving a meal at Safe Harbor, we do it for Him.

Safe Harbor works with clients to identify barriers and move toward self sufficiency. Safe Harbor provides a safe warm environment to sleep, storage of some personal belongings, breakfast and dinner (some people have meals that are not residents), shower and laundry facilities and case management services, including access and referral to local resources. Safe Harbor also provides clients with clothes and personal hygiene products when available.

Calvary UMC gets the privilege of partnering with Safe Harbor to provide one of these services, serving dinner to the residents and guests every first and third Friday night of the month.

Cathy Wentworth is a Calvary member who serves at Safe Harbor often.

“I LOVE Safe Harbor.  I love those people.  I would be there every week if I could.  The people we serve are so appreciative.  Rarely does someone go through the line that doesn’t say thank you.  
“I love coordinating meals and trying to think of something new and different for dinner. When I fix a meal, I try to plan the very best because God asks us to give our best!  So I serve things like Chicken Tetrazzini and ice cream with sprinkles and whipped cream.  There’s really no reason anyone in the U.S. should be hungry.
“Safe Harbor is a mission that I feel really passionate about,” she said.

Cathy serves at Safe Harbor with her Bible study group.  She uses online recipes to figure out how to scale her cooking for large groups and makes sure to make more than enough so everyone can have seconds.  The small group all pitch in on menu planning and purchasing and they always have enough.

Lurinda Venezia serves at Safe Harbor often as well.  She says she places a priority on this volunteer opportunity to serve others because it is our mission to help others in need.

“It is always good working with others in our church and community and providing meals for folks who are very appreciative of our efforts.  It is heartwarming to see a smile on their faces that someone cares for them,” she said.

If serving a meal at Safe Harbor seems like a good fit for your passions and callings, here are a couple of details you’ll need to consider:

  • This is not a show up and serve opportunity.  Serving a meal takes organizing a group of servers, planning a meal, shopping for ingredients, and cooking for 80 people.
  • This is a great opportunity for a small group or a couple of families together.
  • This can be a great opportunity for an individual, though finding a spot for an individual may take more time.  An individual should be patient waiting for the call to serve at Safe Harbor.
  • More info is available here
  • Contact Ralph Smith at 829-2004 or RESmith61@frontier.com if you’d like more information or want to sign up to help.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path

About the Author

Lindsay Mitchell is a member of Calvary UMC.

Who Is My Neighbor? (Home Sweet Home Ministries)

(5 minute read)

Where can we see Calvary folks teaching art, remodeling rooms, teaching job skills, and being a shopper?  These, as well as many other opportunities to serve are at Home Sweet Home Ministries right here in town.  According to their website,

“Home Sweet Home Ministries has been serving the homeless and hungry with Christ's love in Bloomington, Illinois since 1917. We provide case management and other supportive services to the homeless such as shelter, hot meals, clothing and toiletries, and children's programming. Our goal is to help people find independence, restore their hope and share the love of Jesus Christ with them.”

Calvary has a special relationship with Home Sweet Home Ministries (HSHM), providing not only financial support, but also the opportunities for people to serve there in a variety of ways.  Here are some of the stories from our Calvary family who see their neighbors at HSHM.

From Eric Hoss:

“My personal mission at Home Sweet Home mission is to provide career and job interview services. I help clients learn how to research job options, write a resume, and have the interview skills to land the job. I have many rewarding experiences where someone homeless is able to secure a job and become independent.”

Eric and his wife, Terri, will be participating in HSHM’s “Night in a Car” Fundraiser on Friday, February 3, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington.  Stop by and see them if you read this by then!

From Anne Powell:

I volunteered at HSHM in response to a plea Amanda Nesby sent out a year and a half ago.  Can you believe it, they were looking for a shopper!  A hard (not) job, but somebody has to do it!
Every Thursday morning, I go to the mission to pick up the shopping list and the big blue van.  I wish we had a picture of it because it is striking with pictures of fruits and vegetables and the words, Bread for Life Co-Op.  Co-Op.  Not pantry.  Because HSHM works to provide a "hand up," not a "hand-out."  That's what I like about this place; they allow people to build self esteem at a time in their lives when they may have lost their pride.
Anyway, back to my job.  All I really do is go to Sam's and Walmart and spend the Mission's money.  I have a friend who volunteers with me.  We shop and bring the food back and put it away.  Not hard at all, but we're always told we're appreciated.  And every week, we see that the local homeless are well fed.  In the time we've done this job, we've also seen shelter residents move to jobs first within the shelter and later, in the community.  And in the halls of the Mission, we see hope.
I have limited experience with the Co-Op, but it's an amazing place.  It's set up like a grocery store and shoppers, who have volunteered to "pay" for their purchases, make their own choices rather than just picking up a box.  Food comes from the Midwest Food Bank and food donations from local stores and gardeners.  [Editorial comment:  Last year, Calvary donated over 2 tons of fresh produce from our Community Garden to the Food Co-Op and HSHM’s kitchen.]  
At some point, I'd like to be more "hands on" and work directly with residents, possibly teaching sewing.  But for now, I fill a need and it really isn't a hard job.  If anyone else is interested, I know there are frequent pick-ups at various local stores and the volunteer coordinator is always looking for help.

From Fred Nimke and Richard Nielsen:

Fred Nimke and Richard Nielsen are currently replacing the ceilings in one of the rooms reserved for veterans.  The  materials were donated by the VFW and it’s a great connection since Richard is a veteran and Fred is a carpenter.  Previously, Fred worked in Home Sweet Home’s Mission Mart to put up special walls to hold shelves.  He also built a shed last year for their garden at the warehouse.  When asked why Fred likes to serve at HSHM he said, “Because that’s what I’m called you to.”

From Joe Landon:

Joe teaches art classes at HSHM every Thursday and has been doing so for several years.  Joe shares his God-given talent so that others can discover theirs!

Mary Ann Pullin, CEO of HSHM said,

“The thing I love most about Home Sweet Home Ministries is that you can come here with your God-given gifts and find a place to be a neighbor to others. This applies to service recipients, volunteers, and employees.”

Want to serve?  Call the church and we’ll set you up to be blessed as you are a blessing to others.

Who Is My Neighbor? (Fibers of Love)

Could it be a veteran in Danville?  A baby in the hospital nursery in Bloomington?  Someone who doesn’t even a place to keep a toothbrush in Normal?  Maybe children in South Africa or an elderly person in McLean County?  Could it even be one of God’s 4-legged creatures?

These are just a few of our neighbors served by Fibers of Love, a Sewing Ministry started by one woman passionate about sewing with a purpose back in the 1990’s.  Trisha Horner joined Calvary in 1995 and even before that had a vision of using the gifts of people who could sew to make a difference in our world.  

A woman at the local Community Cancer Center said, “I have been having treatments at the Cancer Center. I see some of what these ladies are doing for patients. Great job, ladies!”

When I broke my leg and found myself dependent upon a walker, I caught Trish Horner at church and asked if I could score a walker bag.  She immediately went to her car and pulled out a huge ‘bag of bags’.....walker bags made out of every fabric you could imagine!  I proudly sport that bag as I carry my phone and lipstick around the church.  “Do you want a phone caddy, too?” Trish asked.  I didn’t….the walker bag did the trick…...and I was very grateful.

I was touring Home Sweet Home Mission one day when the director told me that they were just about out of their Fibers of Love Welcome Bags for their residents…..bags to hold the incidentals that Home Sweet Home provides the homeless neighbors when they arrive.  I asked the director if she wanted me to contact Trisha to get more and she said, “Oh, no!  We’re in contact all the time.  She’ll be by soon with more.”  I was one proud pastor!

As of the end of November, Fibers had made and distributed over 5,200 items. With the work they completed in December, they easily surpassed 2015’s record of 5,400+ items.  

What are some other things they provide?  Clothing protectors for the veteran’s hospital in Danville, quilt squares to be made into quilts for children in South Africa, dresses for little girls in Haiti and Buliisa, seat belt protectors, fidget blankets, prayer shawls, and even dog beds for Wishbone Canine Rescue.

On their Facebook page are lots of pictures of projects that the Fibers team has completed as well as updates on their projects.  They break in January and February and return in March.  You don’t even have to be present at their gatherings each Monday…...Fibers provides kits for church folks to take home and work on their own in their own time.  You, too, can make a difference in the lives of people you’ll probably never meet.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path (Joshua and Rahab)

About the Author

Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Who Is My Neighbor? (Junior Cineas)

(3 minute read)

We had the privilege of Junior Cineas, our Missionary from Haiti, being with us this last week in Bloomington/Normal.  Junior and I had a great conversation about ‘Who Is My Neighbor’ and what follows are Junior’s reflections on this topic.

Who is my “Neighbor” is an important topic this days. However the church around the world is still missing it. Sometimes the church gets it mixed up with only people living next to one another. Your neighbor goes beyond just the person who lives next to you. The Bible puts a great emphasis on how you should treat “your Neighbor”-- “love your neighbor as yourself”(Lev. 19:9-19). In the Old Testament, God gives his people the responsibility toward their neighbors:  “If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body.  What else will he sleep in?  When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”  (Exodus 22:26-27)   

Jesus teaches us that our neighbor goes even beyond those people who live next to you or those you might know….or even like or who don’t like you!  The Great Commandment says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and  mind and the second is like it:  Love your neighbor as yourself.”   (Matthew 22:37-39)  The church will be judged for that…...Matthew 25…….did we meet the needs of our neighbors?  The hungry, the sick, those in prison…...all are our neighbors.  This goes way beyond the love we have for those who love us back.  Jesus makes it clear that we are to love those who hate us.

Jesus is our neighbor…..each time we help one of those people in need, we’re helping Jesus.  Visiting someone in the hospital is visiting Jesus himself…...that person is your neighbor.  Every person who is in need is our neighbor.  How are we to know what people need if we never go to them to determine what they need?  Jesus relocated himself in order to be our neighbor…...relocated from Heaven to earth…...so that we would know that Jesus understood us.  Everyone around us is our neighbor….we don’t need to know where the person is from or what their experience has been:  we just need to see their need.  Because of our love for God and our neighbor, everyone is our neighbor.

Do people think they need to go far away in order to find their ‘neighbor’?  Junior came to the United States:  and found his neighbors.  Some of us have gone to Haiti:  and found our neighbors.  Do we feel pity for others far away, but not for the people we see around us all the time?  So, maybe we need to look at others as Jesus sees them.  We can’t meet all the needs, but we can do whatever it is that Jesus tells us.  Could those needs be next door to you?  Across town?  At the hospital?  In the prison?  At the homeless shelter?  A foreigner?  A widow?  An orphan?  

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”  (Matthew 25:37-40)

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Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path (Exodus)

About the Authors

Junior Cineas is a pastor in Haiti. Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor at Calvary UMC.

Who Is My Neighbor? (The Babyfold's Healthy Start and Evergreen Village)

As a way to honor our Lord, KidVenture held a Birthday Party for Jesus on Wednesday, December 21. Families were invited to participate in games, make ornaments, decorate cookies, and create Christmas cards for our friends at Evergreen Village. Parents and children enjoyed doing these things together and with other families.  The night concluded with a time of worship which included a live nativity and Christmas carols. Families brought gifts of baby items like diapers, wipes, clothing, and gift cards that were delivered to the Baby Fold Healthy Start program.

Healthy Start connects young, at-risk moms with a Family Support Worker even before the child’s birth and includes home visits for the first 5 years of the child’s life.  Diapers, wipes, clothing, etc. are consistent needs for these moms and we are excited to help the Baby Fold supply these items.  Our KidVenture families had a great time providing baby items during this party to share Jesus’ love with Healthy Start.  We had feedback from a mother who is a part of Healthy Start, stating that she felt that Calvary and the Baby Fold were such blessings to her and she saw Jesus through Healthy Start.

The Christmas cards were delivered to Evergreen residents on Christmas Eve during worship that night. Those residents loved them!  Our Evergreen friends are a blessing to us and we love sharing Jesus with them.

Who Is My Neighbor? (Fev, Haiti)

We aren’t always the ones reaching out to others…..often, others are reaching out to us.  Romual Jacques, the Youth Pastor in Fev, Haiti where Calvary’s team has been active, is praying for us.  I’m sure he isn’t the only person in Fev praying for Calvary, but he is being very intentional in his prayers by signing up on the Calvary Prayer Room Schedule every day this week at 7:00 a.m.!  Michael Pitzer, Calvary’s Director of Student Ministries has been mentoring Romual who is new to youth ministry.  With Michael in Normal and Romaul in Fev, a mutual relationship of prayer and support has developed.

In our zeal to serve Christ, let us not forget that we are also blessed by those who are ‘supposed to be’ on the receiving end of our ministry.  I am friends on Facebook with many of our brothers and sisters in Haiti and it is such a blessing to read their promises to pray for us at Calvary.

Who is our neighbor?  Romual would answer, “My brothers and sisters of Calvary UMC, in Normal, Illinois.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path (Genesis 1)

About the Author

Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Who Is My Neighbor (2016 Recap)

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I always enjoy those ‘year in review’ pieces that cover a variety of subjects.  As I thought about how God has allowed us to meet and be in ministry with lots of different neighbors this year, I thought it might be good to do our own, “Who Is My Neighbor: 2016”.

Our neighbor is:

  • The family who had a job loss and needed help from the Good Samaritan Fund to pay their power bill.
  • The children who depend on school lunches for food and the Backpack Food Ministry keeps them fed throughout the weekend.
  • The many folks who experienced the power of prayer by spending time in the Calvary Prayer Room sponsored by Calvary Student Ministries:  and those who were the recipients of those prayers.
  • Those who lost everything in the Louisiana floods who received a Flood Bucket full of supplies to get their homes back into habitable space again.
  • The men, women, and children who are homeless and living at Home Sweet Home as they are provided the basic necessities to help them get back on their feet and into their own housing.
  • Those living at Home Sweet Home who were able to eat fresh produce thanks to Calvary’s Garden as well as those in the Food Pantry who were able to receive that produce.
  • Children who struggle enough with day to day needs like food and shelter received a special Easter Smiles Basket.
  • A single mom and her daughter were able to take a huge step forward and help Habitat for Humanity build their first house which they are now making into a home.
  • Walnique, Jonas, Rujerry, Phida, and so many more whose ministry in Fev, Haiti was strengthened as several Calvary folks walked with them to share the love of Jesus and to connect with their children through worship and play.
  • The many neighbors in Hurricane, West Virginia whose homes and hearts got makeovers from Calvary’s High School Workcamp as well as those in Bloomington/Normal who were served by a Group Workcamp that Calvary helped to support.

I’m quickly running out of space, so let’s celebrate the neighbors who were touched by those serving in the following ministries:

Fibers of Love, VBS Shoes for Haiti, Buliisa Child Sponsorship and Clean Water Project, The Baby Fold, Various Healthy Start collections, the Midwest Food Bank, Food Packaging for Illini Fighting Hunger, Calendars to Liberia, Faith in Action, Calvary’s own Food Box, Mom and Me Camp, Operation Christmas Child, The Angel Tree, Elmira Sellu, our missionary in Sierra Leone, Linda Unger, our missionary in Nairobi, Kenya, African University Scholarships, Disaster Response through the United Methodist Committee On Relief, Redbird Mission School, Alternative seating for Hammitt School, helping students connect with God through the ISU Wesley Foundation…..and SO many more!!!

Yes, these and MANY more people are our neighbors!  Thank you for making a difference in their lives in 2016!

About the Author

Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Who Is My Neighbor (Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education)

In the spirit of giving and service, the Calvary Senior High youth and their leaders made a significant impact on the students and families at Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education. Sarah E. Raymond School services at-risk and special needs children ranging from 3-5 years of age in Bloomington District 87.  

On Wednesday, December 14th, the Sr. High youth and their leaders took on two major projects at Sarah E. Raymond. First, the group wrapped 150 Christmas presents that will be opened by the children on “Santa Day” at the school. The gifts were provided by the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots program, and varied from baby dolls to farm sets. The youth group had fun wrapping the toys, as well as keeping an inventory to assure that there would be enough boy and girl toys for each child at the school.  

In addition to wrapping presents, the youth group prepared about 100 food bags. The bags will be sent home with the students on their busses to provide nutritious snacks for the preschoolers and their families to have after school hours. Sarah E. Raymond is a member of the Midwest Food Bank’s “Backpack Program.” This amazing program provides food each month for schools throughout McLean County and beyond. Food items vary month to month, but usually include items such as pasta, fruit, and cereal. Good nutrition is critical to good health and success at school, and the Backpack Program has made a significant difference for the students and their families. Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education was very grateful to have the many hands of our youth group to sort, tear apart/recycle food boxes, and fill bags for their students! 

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path (John 1:16-18)

About the Author

Danel J. Behrends Harr is the Principal at Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education and a member of Calvary UMC.

Who Is My Neighbor? (Habitat for Humanity)

Is it winter yet?  Brrrrrr!!!!  Aren’t you glad that you have a nice warm place in which to live?  As a part of Calvary United Methodist Church, you’ve also given Katie Lane and her daughter, Elena, a warm place to call home!  Through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we had the privilege of donating one quarter of the cost of that house ($10,000) as well as 280 hours of volunteer ministry from our congregation.  Calvary provided volunteers one Saturday morning a month from May through November and there was no shortage of people willing to help.

Larry Oleson, one of Calvary’s volunteers is a contractor by profession.  “It was nice to be able to use my skills and abilities to help someone else in this way.  It was also fun to teach other volunteers how to do particular things and watch the smiles on their faces as they completed different parts of the project.  We had fun working together and alongside Katie and Elena.  Katie was so appreciative of our help and even prayed for me when I was unable to help because of an unrelated injury.”

Part of Habitat’s philosophy is that the homeowner must also work on their home in order to qualify for the build.  As a single mom, Katie had to get special permission from her job at McDonald’s to be off on Saturdays to work on her house…..and that permission was granted.  In fact, her boss was at both the groundbreaking for the house as well as the dedication when it was finished.  We hear so much about what is wrong with our world, it’s nice to hear the good stories about people helping each other.

We put aside $5,000 from the outreach budget in 2015, and added another $5,000 out of the 2016 outreach budget in order to get to that $10,000 sponsorship point.  At that level, we are guaranteed to be able to work one Saturday a month (and our people love to be hands on in these builds!).  Because of your generosity, in 2017, we hope to be able to sponsor at least one quarter of a house rather than having to wait until 2018 to come up with the full $10,000.  

As I sit in my warm home, I think about Katie and Elena and I smile.  What a blessing that we get to be a part of their sharing this first Christmas in their own home.  Thank you for making this happen!

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: A Light to My Path (John 1:14-17)

About the Author

Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Who Is My Neighbor? (Parkside Elementary)

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In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches us the critical importance of feeding the hunger, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, and visiting those sick and in prison.  As we strive to do just that in our own community, we have partnered with Parkside Elementary School in Normal.  Our partnership includes a Backpack Ministry in which we give 100 students a backpack of food to eat over the weekend when they’re not in school to receive school lunches.

But our partnership with Parkside goes beyond meeting the physical need of food.  We also want to support the teachers and students in whatever way possible to let them know that they are loved by the church of Jesus Christ called Calvary United Methodist Church.  We have purchased supplies for school parties, lice kits for families unable to afford them, and special clothing items for children in need.

On Monday, December 5, we were invited to be a part of an event called “100 Caring Adults” at Parkside.  Several Calvary folks joined community members who lined the hallways and welcomed children as they returned to school after Thanksgiving break and let them know that we were cheering for them!  The idea was to remind the students that others were thinking of them while they were at school and were their support system, even if the students didn’t see them everyday in the classroom.  A special surprise went to a student whose first day at Parkside was Monday: a nervous little girl was welcomed onto the ‘red carpet’ by lots of adults cheering her on!

To protect the privacy of the students, no children are in the pictures here, but this gives you an idea of the adults who came to support these children in a very special way.  I think Jesus smiled upon this group of adults loving on God’s children.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Reflecting on next week's text

About the Author

Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor at Calvary UMC