Community Service Day 2010

Jesus said John 13:17, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” I think the simplest definition of maturity is to be a doer of the Word. You do what the Bible says. We must not only read the Word, we must heed the Word. -Rick Warren

Welcome to FCC’s Community service day!

I’m delighted that you’re considering a service project and I hope the sugges-tions gathered here will help your decision-making. If you don’t find a project that’s right for you or your small group, feel free to address some other need you’ve been concerned about. If you’re not in a small group but want to partici-pate in a service project, just contact the leader of the project you’re interested in. The main idea is that we serve God by serving others and we can do it better together.

You and I both know the main idea is that we serve God by serving others and we can do it better together.

Along with participating in a community service project, please consider donating Bibles or men’s warm clothing for inmates at the Farm (a correctional facility) in Lawrence. A collection box will be in the Rotunda early-November.

Thanks for sharing your time and talent,

Maureen Smith Missions and Community Service Director 978-475-6888 [email protected]

Sympathy is no substitute

for action.

-David Livingstone

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table of contents Selecting a Service Project ................................................................... 6

service projects:Andover Conservation Land: Meadow-clearing project..........................7 A Better Chance House: Home Repairs...................................................7 A Better Chance House: Leaf Raking.....................................................8 Alpha Cooking Teams..........................................................................8 Andover Youth Services: Christmas Wreath Project................................8 Cor Unum Meal Center: Kitchen Cleaning Crew...................................9 Cor Unum Meal Center: Dinner Team..................................................9 Esperanza Academy: Cooking Team.....................................................9 Esperanza Academy: Painting Team...................................................10 Esperanza Academy: Wish List..........................................................10 Habit for Humanity: Home Construction in Lawrence.........................10 Hospice House in Haverhill: Outdoor Work ........................................11 Hospice House in Haverhill: Music Team ...........................................11 Lawrence Jail: Bible & Winter Clothing Collection for Men.................11 Lazarus House Project........................................................................12 Lazarus House Food Drive.................................................................12 Neighbors in Need: Packing Christmas Dinners...................................12 Pregnancy Care Center Haverhill.......................................................13 Pregnancy Care Center: Project Baby Botttle.......................................13 Project Linus Quilting Team..............................................................13 Serving Senior Adults.........................................................................14 Tweksbury Community Pantry...........................................................14

ongoing service projects:Bread and Roses..................................................................................15 Care Corp...........................................................................................15 Casserole Ministry..............................................................................15 Cor Unum Meal Center....................................................................15 Daybreak Shelter and Lazarus House Breakfast Teams......................16 Esperanza Academy............................................................................16 Foster Care.........................................................................................16 God’s Provisions Food Pantry.............................................................17 Habitat for Humanity.........................................................................17 Parish Partners: Nursing Home Outreach Opportunities..................17 Pregnancy Care Center.......................................................................18 Tewksburg Community Pantry...........................................................18 Whole Foods and Stop & Shop Team................................................18 Women’s Prison Ministry.....................................................................19

keep checking the bulletin and website for updates on project details6

selecting a service project

1) Review the list of service projects and select one that is a good fit. If you’re in a small group, this should be done at your meeting before October 24th. Most of the projects listed here have a limited capacity for volunteers so you should come up with one or two back-up choices.

2) Small groups should each pick one person to represent them as their Service Project Coordinator. The Coordinator must contact the Project Leader ASAP to determine if there is still space available for your group. If your 1st choice project is at volunteer capacity, then your Coordinator should contact the Project Leader for your next choice. Once your group is matched with a service project, your Coordinator will report the details back to your small group. The Coordinator will be the liaison between your small group and the Project Leader.

If you are not volunteering with a small group, you can contact a Project Leader directly.

or3) Attend Match Morning on Sunday, October 31st in the Rotunda or the North Andover lobby after Sunday service. This is when volunteers will be matched up with their projects.

4) Alternatively your small group can come up with a project on your own. This is very much encouraged as well, especially if your small group is passionate about a particular need that is not listed. Be creative and go for it! Please contact Maureen Smith at 978-475-6888 or [email protected] to share your project ideas. Perhaps another small group may want to support your effort!


projects for fcc service day

andover conservation land: Bald Hill-Wood Hill Meadow Clearing The FCC team will work with Andover Conservation Commission volunteers cutting and stacking small sumac trees to clear a meadow. (These are not poison sumac). The meadow area is near Bald Hill – Wood Hill on High Plain Road (near the entrance of Bald Hill Composting Facility). project leader: Bryan Long, 978.475.9500 x103, [email protected] location: Bald Hill Trail, High Plain Road, Andover date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13, 8:30am–noon supplies needed: work gloves, rakes, loppers, snacks, water bottles, good sturdy shoes! number of volunteers: 15-20 people a better chance house in andover (abc) was built on a simple idea: better educational opportunities lead to better lives. ABC in Andover is part of a national movement that started as an experiment in 1963, the height of the civil rights movement: Select academically talented children from the coun-try’s roughest neighborhoods and move them at the ages of 13 and 14 into the nation’s finest public and private schools. Today the ABC program boasts over 11,000 alumni, including Governor Deval Patrick, who credits his experience at Milton Academy with setting him on the path to become the state’s first black governor. Learn more at www.abetterchance.org For 40 years, Andover volunteers have supported inner-city students at the ABC house on Main Street while these scholars attend Andover High School. On Nov. 13, FCC volunteers will take on two projects: home repairs and leaf raking. The Home Repairs Team may paint, roof a small porch, repair a sump pump, weatherize windows/doors or hang shelves. Handy-people needed. All willing workers welcome! project leader: Bill Perkins, 978-475-5400, [email protected] location: 134 Main Street, Andover date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13, 9:00am–1:00pm supplies needed: Various Tools. Please contact Bill for Details. number of volunteers: 10 people


Leaf Raking at ABC House will be a joint effort of FCC high school students and ABC scholars. Adults and families welcome too! project leader: Bryan Long, 978.475.9500 x103, [email protected] location: 134 Main Street, Andover date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13, 9:00am–noon supplies needed: work gloves, rakes, paper leaf bags number of volunteers: 10+ people

alpha cooking teams Cooks for the current Alpha group are needed for Tuesday evenings in October, November and early December. This project involves shopping, cooking, serving and clean-up for simple meals. Help is available for planning and carrying out this service. Any amount of time you give will be appreciated. project leader: Laurel Cacace, 615 -308-3938, [email protected] location: FCC Kitchen date & timeframe: Dinner for a Tues. evening in Oct., Nov. and early Dec. supplies needed: dinner for 70 people number of volunteers: 1-8 people

andover youth services: Christmas Wreath Project AYS is a dynamic youth program that consistently addresses the challenges and needs of teens in Andover. AYS provides our youth with programs, services and activities throughout the year and offers a direct link that connects youth to their community. On Nov. 13th, FCC middle school youth and adults will work with AYS to prepare for their upcoming Christmas tree/wreath sale, a major fundraiser for AYS programming. We will be making bows and decorations for the Christmas wreaths. project leader: Bryan Long, 978.475.9500 x103, [email protected] location: AYS Center in Andover date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9:00am-noon number of volunteers: 15 people (middle school youth group and leaders)


cor unum meal center: Kitchen Cleaning Crew In Lawrence, many thousands of people suffer from hunger. At Cor Unum, every day they work to eliminate hunger. Their volunteers welcome and serve all who are in need with the utmost dignity, love, and respect. On November 13, FCC volunteers are needed to clean the kitchen and walk-in refrigerator at the Meal Center. Learn more at www.corunummealcenter.org

project leader: Maureen Smith at 978-475-6888, [email protected] location: Cor Unum Meal Center, 118 So. Broadway, Lawrence date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9:00am-noon number of volunteers: 10+ people

cor unum meal center: Dinner Team FCC volunteers will be cooking and serving dinner on Saturday, Nov. 13. Join us! Great family project (children older than 5th grade with adult supervision). Cooks are needed between 1:00 – 4:00 pm to prepare dinner. Contact Bob Kinsmen at [email protected] or 978-382-0016. Dining room volunteers needed between 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Contact Maureen at 978-475-6888 or [email protected] location: Cor Unum Meal Center, 118 So. Broadway, Lawrence date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 4:00pm-7:00pm number of volunteers: 20 people

esperanza academy: Cooking Team Esperanza Academy in Lawrence is a tuition-free middle school for economically disadvantaged girls. The school creates an enriched academic and social environment that fosters individual success and community commitment.

The Academy provides the students three meals a day five days a week. FCC volunteers will prepare and freeze a meal for 50 students on Thursday, Nov. 11th in our church kitchen. project leader: Debbie Garone, 978-475-9069, [email protected] location: FCC Kitchen, Andover date & timeframe: Thursday, Nov. 11 from 12:00pm-2:00pm number of volunteers: 4-6 people


esperanza academy: Painting Team FCC volunteers will be painting in the library area on November 13.

project leader: Susan Cooke, [email protected], 978-886-2838 location: 172 Garden Street, Lawrence date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9:00am-noon number of volunteers: 10 people

esperanza academy: Wish List The tuition-free school is completely dependent on donations. If you want to provide items on their wish list, contact the school at EsperanzaAcademy.org Wish List: 12 digital voice recorders to assist students on their literary journey. graph paper flash drives TI-81 scientific calculators, copy paper gift cards for book stores or office supply stores

project leader: Maureen Smith, 978-475-6888, [email protected]

habitat for humanity: Home Construction in Lawrence Bob Neil coordinates FCC volunteers (adults only) one Saturday per month to work on new homes that are under construction in Lawrence. Tasks may include installing windows, framing and decking porches, framing interior walls, roofing, or siding. Some experience doing repairs around your own home is useful but the Habitat people can quickly teach you what you need to know. project leaders: Bob Neil, 978-621-0655, [email protected] location: Lawrence date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 from 8:30am-4:00pm number of volunteers: 10+ people


hospice house in haverhill: Outdoor Work Merrimack Valley Hospice House is the first licensed inpatient hospice residence servicing the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire and the only hospice residence in Massachusetts licensed to care for pediatric patients. Learn more at merrimackvalleyhospice.org

The House is nestled in a wooded area in Haverhill. On Nov. 13, FCC volunteers will cut and move fallen tree limbs away from a walking path, rake the path and possibly build a bench for patients and family members to enjoy near a small pond. Good family project! project leader: Emily Nahlik, 978-686-1125, [email protected] location: 360 North Avenue, Haverhill date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9:00am-noon supplies needed: rakes, wheelbarrows, chain saw, hand saw, work gloves, materials to build bench number of volunteers: 10+ people

hospice house in haverhill: Music Team A small group of singers and musicians will perform for patients and their families in an intimate café setting at Merrimack Valley Hospice House. project leader: Robert Bloodworth, [email protected] location: 360 North Avenue, Haverhill date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 1:00pm-3:00pm number of volunteers: 3-4 people

lawrence jail: Bible & Winter Clothing Collection for Men Men at the Lawrence Correctional Alternative Center need warm clothing for the winter. The facility (aka The Farm near Rt. 495) does not provide winter clothing for inmates. There will be collection boxes in the Rotunda from Oct. 31 – Nov. 13th for soft-cover Bibles and the following gently-used laundered men’s winter clothing. NO hoods allowed. Sweatshirts Jeans Flannel Shirts Coats Sweat Pants Jackets Gloves Socks Spanish or English Bibles MUST BE SOFTCOVER. Hardcover books are not allowed in the prison. Large print Bibles are also needed, because many men need glasses, but do not have the resources to buy them. Continued -->


Volunteers are needed on Nov. 13 to sort and bag donated clothes and bibles and transport them to NBF Chaplain Doug Gregan in Haverhill. Donated items will be given to inmates in both Lawrence and Middleton facilities. This project is in collaboration with New Brother’s Fellowship, a local prison ministry partnering with FCC to host Alpha at the Farm. project leader: Maureen Smith, 978-475-6888, [email protected] location: FCC Rotunda date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9:00am until completed supplies: clear plastic trash bages and permanent markers number of volunteers: 4+ people

lazarus house project: Food Pantry and Packing Thanksgiving Dinners The nine ministries of Lazarus House help people rebuild their families and move beyond poverty, out of crisis and into the mainstream. On two Saturdays (either Nov. 13th or 20th), FCC volunteers will support this effort by unloading grocery trucks and packing Thanksgiving food boxes. project leader: Dino Sarantos, 978-749-7084, [email protected] location: 412 Hampshire Street, Lawrence date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 & Nov. 20 from 9:00am-noon number of volunteers: 20 people each day

lazarus house food drive: Club 365 FCC 5th and 6th graders will be collecting Thanksgiving food items for Lazarus House food pantry on Friday, Nov. 12. More details to come! project leader: Kathy Shannon, [email protected] date & timeframe: Friday, Nov. 12 neighbors in need: Packing Christmas Dinners NIN has fed the poor and hungry of Greater Lawrence for over 22 years. They need our help on Saturday, Dec. 18th to pack Christmas dinner boxes for hundreds of families. This is a good family project (children age 5 and older can help). Visit their website at www.neighborsinneed.net project leader: Alan Carroll, 978-902-0131, [email protected] location: Dundee Park, Building 18, Door 8, Andover, date & timeframe: Saturday, Dec. 18 from 9:00am–noon number of volunteers: 8-10 people

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pregnancy care center in haverhill The PCC is a Christian organization providing confidential support to individuals experiencing unplanned pregnancies. The Center is located in a house in Haverhill and it’s in need of some repairs. The PCC staff asked for help with raking, cleaning gutters, minor repairs, and organizing kitchen cabinets/food pantry. Visit their website: www.pccnortheast.org project leader: Carolyn Williams, 978-685-0620, [email protected] location: 496 Main Street, Haverhill date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13, 9:00am-1:00pm supplies needed: rubber gloves, tools (task specific), rakes number of volunteers: 10-15 people

pregnancy care center in haverhill: Project Baby Bottle The PCC has asked Senior Link members to help prepare 1800 baby bottles for a promotional campaign this winter. On two Fridays in November, volunteers will process and pack the bottles in the Lower Hall after Senior Link. project leader: Laurie Lawliss, [email protected] location: FCC Lower Hall date & timeframe: Friday, Nov. 5 & Nov. 12 (if necessary) supplies needed: rubber gloves, tools (task specific), rakes number of volunteers: All Hands on Deck!

project linus Quilting team Janice Jones will be organizing a team of quilters to meet in the FCC basement to sew warm colorful quilts for Project Linus. These comfort quilts are given to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. project leader: Janice Jones, 978-738-1924, [email protected] location: FCC classrooms LL05-07 date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9:00am–1:00pm supplies needed: sewing machines, basic sewing supplies number of volunteers: beginner to advanced sewers welcome


serving senior adults Projects include, but not limited to, yard clean-up, minor home repairs, window-washing, furniture moving, and nursing home visitation opportunities. There are several on-going service opportunities to assist seniors in our community. These projects don’t have to just happen on November 13! project leader: Wendy Nevin, 978-475-0540, [email protected] location: various sites in Andover date & timeframe: Sat, Nov. 13 from 9:00am–2:00pm or until job is done supplies needed: rakes, drills, ladders, trash bags, etc. number of volunteers: 10+ people

tewksbury community pantry The Pantry provides food assistance to Tewksbury residents in financial need and advocates for the disadvantaged. On Saturday, Nov. 20th, FCC volunteers will sort and pack food boxes for Thanksgiving. project leader: Greg Reynolds, 978-858-0936, [email protected] location: 999 Whipple Road in Tewksbury date & timeframe: Saturday, Nov. 20 from 11:00am-2:00pm number of volunteers: 8-10 people


ongoing projects

bread and roses is a Lawrence soup kitchen for people who are homeless or families just having a hard time making ends meet each month. FCC volun-teers bake brownies at home, cook the meal at the church kitchen on the first Monday of each month and deliver it on Tuesday. Cooks and delivery people always welcome! For more information about how you can help... contact: Jennifer Pollina at 978-687-1063

care corp From time to time some folks may need a little extra assistance. Care Corp Ministry volunteers are ready to lend a hand. Some of their gifts of service include; rides to worship or other church functions, rides to appoint-ments, running errands, help with shopping - just to name a few. contact: Wendy Nevin at [email protected]

casserole ministry A team of folks from FCC cook and deliver meals to families or individuals who are in need due to illness, new baby, relocation, loss of job, death in family or any one of life’s many stresses. A warm meal at a time of crisis does more than just nourish the body. contact: Wendy Nevin at [email protected]

cor unum meal center The second Saturday of every month is FCC night at Cor Unum. We need 20 volunteers to serve dinner at their Lawrence meal center from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Join us! contact: Maureen Smith, 978.475.6888, [email protected]


daybreak shelter and lazarus house breakfast teams On Tuesday mornings from 6:00 – 7:30 a.m., breakfast is prepared and served at Daybreak Shelter which provides temporary shelter to adults with addiction or mental health diagnoses. On Thursday morning from 6:00 – 7:30, a team cooks breakfast and serves the guests at Lazarus House which is a shelter for individuals and families. contact: Nick Warne at [email protected]

esperanza academy, school of hope is a tuition-free middle school for economically disadvantaged girls in the fifth through eighth grades in Lawrence. The Academy provides the students three meals a day five days a week. Throughout the school year, the Academy could use two people per meal to prepare the food, set-up and clean-up all with a small student team assisting so the girls gain skills, responsibility and receive fellowship.Tutoring opportunities are also available. To learn more about the school visit www.EsperanzaAcademy.org contact: Waleska Caceres at 978- 686-HOPE or [email protected]

foster care The Foster Care program is looking for compassionate adults to be tutors, teen mentors, volunteer case reviewers, foster parents, and adoptive parents. They are also in need of hotline emergency homes for when children are removed from their home and need temporary care until a more long-lasting situation is found. This commitment is usually for 1-3 days on an as needed basis. For more information you can contact FCC members Joan Neil at 978-687-9456 or [email protected] and Ildelisa Ortiz at 978-688-3073 or [email protected]. contact: Mary Ward at the Department of Social Services at 617-748-2243 or [email protected]


god’s provisions food pantry FCC has non-perishable food items available to anyone in need. Stop by the church office Tues-Fri 9:00 - 5:00 p.m. or visit the welcome desk on Sunday, bags of groceries are all packed and ready to go. contact: Wendy Nevin at [email protected]

habitat for humanity Bob Neil coordinates FCC volunteers (adults only) one Saturday per month to work on new homes that are under construction in Lawrence. Tasks may include installing windows, framing and decking porches, framing interior walls, roofing, or siding. Some experience doing repairs around your own home is useful but the Habitat people can quickly teach you what you need to know. contact: Bob Neil, 978.687.9456, [email protected]

parish partners - nursing home outreach opportunities Parish Partners is the senior adult outreach program at Free Christian Church. The ministry consists of men, women and children who share the hope and the message of the Gospel with senior adults who are in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or senior housing. Many of these dear folks are not able to go out and enjoy fellowship, so our teams go to them and remind that they are not forgotten. Knowing the love of Christ and experiencing community is especially important for senior adults within our church family and also within the community. Currently there are approximately 50 volunteers who partner in sharing the Gospel with nursing home residents in Andover and North Andover. Every Saturday of the month there is a group of folks from FCC who bring the joy of the Lord into area nursing homes and share in Christian fellowship through song and Bible teachings. A typical nursing home service begins with an opening prayer and then all the residents saying the Lord’s Prayer together. The “congregation” then sings the beloved hymns of the faith followed by a devotional. There is opportunity for individual prayer and some of the teams are able to bring communion to the residents. Continued -->


There is such a need and we can never have too many volunteers. You can go and spend one hour a month or one hour a week or one hour a day. You can go alone or with your family or with your small group. The teams participate in the services on Saturday mornings from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. If Saturdays do not fit into your schedule, there are many other times during the week that you can go and there is always someone that will be happy to see you! Please pray about it and see if the Lord is calling you to minister to these dear folks contact: Wendy Nevin at [email protected]

pregnancy care center provides help to anyone facing an unintended pregnancy. We can help by giving bags of groceries, baby items or maternity clothes to needy women and their families. To donate or volunteer at the Center... contact: Carolyn Williams at 978-373-5700

tewksbury community pantry provides short and long-term food assistance to Tewksbury residents in financial need. To donate or help at the pantry... contact: Carolyn Williams at 978-373-5700

whole foods (andover) & stop & shop (north andover) team: Now more that ever there are people and families in need of food. Whole Foods Market, Stop & Shop and Free Christian Church don’t want delicious food to be wasted! The stores are donating their overstock bakery goods to local homeless shelters and we are seeking FCC people to help with the delivery. We need volunteers to pick up the baked goods every day (7 days per week) anytime between 6:00 am and 11:00 am at the store and to deliver them that same day to Cor Unum Meal Center, Daybreak Shelter, Bread and Roses or Lazarus House in Lawrence. Feel free to make time to introduce yourself and get to know the staff and their clients, and pray if the Spirit moves you. This is a wonderful opportunity to become involved with serving our neighbors who are in need of this food, and at a time that is convenient for you. We also need

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volunteers to help when one of the team is sick or on vacation. The round trip takes less than 1 hour and brings a day full of joy! By the first of the year there are two more Stop and Shops planned to open in North Reading and Andover. Our prayer is that this overstocked food is not wasted and we have enough volunteers to deliver to those in need. We are seeking those who can make a commitment for one day a week for a period of a few months or longer, if possible. Please consider signing up for one day a week or sharing a day with another volunteer. contact: Mike, [email protected], 978.470.3108

women’s prison ministry This group ministers to WIT, “Women In Transition”, a small minimum security correctional facility in Salisbury. The Alpha course is offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:30-11:30 am from during the school year. There are opportunities, for those who have taken the Alpha course at FCC, to serve as either a regular weekly visitor or as a substitute on an occasional basis. Training is provided and is required for either the regular or occasional visitor. A group may also host a craft night (knitting, scrapbooking, card-making, etc.) for the women. This provides an opportunity for volunteers to socialize with the women, while helping them make a craft. Any woman at FCC who can share a craft and provide the necessary supplies for up to 24 women or who would be willing to help with such an activity should contact Roselle Heckendorn to arrange a suitable evening. Extensive training is not necessary but everyone must submit an application to the prison at least 3 weeks before their first visit. contact: Roselle Heckendorn, 978.475.9500, [email protected]

www.freechristian.org

Community Service Day 2010

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Transcript of Community Service Day 2010