March 2022
Dear College Church Friends,
It has been several months since we have communicated to the church via a Mission Moment, and we would like to recap this month with several wonderful things that have been happening, but also look forward to what is to come in the life of the church and our community and the impact we are having around the globe.
ALABASTER OFFERING
Thank you for contributing to the Alabaster offering this past week. Our church goal is $5500; we have received $2,110. This offering goes directly to building churches around the world. If you have not handed in your alabaster box yet, it is not too late to drop it off in the next offering.
Here is some fascinating history of the Alabaster Box offering. It began in the late 1940s, the creative idea of Elizabeth Vennum, who served on the Nazarene Missions International Global Council. The Alabaster Box offering is based on the story of the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet from an alabaster container just before his crucifixion. Mrs. Vennum asked women to give up buying nonessential things for themselves and give the money to world missions instead. Since the creation of the Alabaster Gift for World Missions, over 100 million dollars has been raised to purchase land and construction of buildings to facilitate mission work throughout the world.
CRISIS CARE KITS
The Church of the Nazarene has called for Crisis Care Kits as they have been distributing the kits and are running low. This is a tangible way to help support those whose lives are in crisis. So far, our church has collected 61 kits with a goal of 100. Kits must be returned to the church office by Sunday, April 3rd. If you would like to complete a kit, please pick up the ziplock bag at any sanctuary entrance. A list is also attached.
THE LAUN’S TRIP TO ROMANIA
This past Sunday, we heard that George Laun and Jan Hockensmith Laun will travel to Sighisoara, Romania April 3 to work with Veritas, a Romanian nonprofit organization. Currently, Veritas is assisting Ukrainian refugees in making their way to Bucharest, where they will travel to other European countries where they have connections or family. During refugees’ short stay in Sighisoara, individuals and families are provided with clean beds to rest, hot meals, showers, and welcoming fellowship.
It is projected that several hundred other refugees will be arriving via Moldovia who are elderly and with no resources by the first of April. We have talked with Liviu Tudosie, a social worker, who said it is thought that these individuals have no family or friends to connect with and no idea about their future.
George and Jan will be bringing a suitcase of supplies. The list of supplies was provided in the bulletin and must be dropped off at the church by Friday, April 1.
Prayer Requests:
Pray that George and Jan will have safe travel and be able to meet the urgent needs of the refugees in transition. Pray for all Ukrainians caught in the horror of this invasion of their country.
FORTITUDE COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Lastly, I would like to share about Fortitude Community Outreach which began in 2017 to meet the basic needs of homeless persons in the Kankakee County community. This evolved into a sheltering program using the PADS model of sheltering in various churches. In addition to a safe and warm place to sleep, dinner and breakfast are provided for guests. Fortitude’s mission is …” to build relationships with struggling individuals in Kankakee County by meeting them where they are, providing for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and connecting to community resources.”
A current goal is to build a permanent shelter in Kankakee to meet better the needs of those served. Specific goals include being able to house double the number of guests, operate more efficiently, and eventually provide some daytime services. As with all building projects this year, the projected cost of the facility has almost doubled. For more information, go to Fortitude’s website https://fortitudecommunityoutreach.org.
The Executive Director is Dr. Dawn Broers, an Olivet Nazarene University graduate. If you want to contact Fortitude Community Outreach or like more information about the program or how to volunteer/contribute to the organization, visit the website mentioned above or contact the Executive Director: at 815-546-3271 or dbroers@fortitudecommunityoutreach.org
Prayer Requests:
The homeless guests are very vulnerable to COVID and the cold temperatures as they spend a great deal of time on the streets during the day. Volunteers are always needed to make and serve food and provide much-needed supplies. The single most pressing need is financial contributions toward building the permanent shelter. Also, pray that Night on the Street will meet the money-raising goal for the event and increase awareness of those participating in the challenges of those living on the street.
Blessings!
Amy K. Smith
College Church
Nazarene Mission International President
