MNHome Project List: Can you help?

Kevin is rallying the "troops" for some recent requests for help:

1) Saturday, November 18, 12:00 pm > Penny needs help moving. We need some strong arms, strong backs and a few nice smiles!

2) With baby Zak in the hospital (praying he'll be home for Thanksgiving!), Leon and Cheryl might call on us for some help getting their home back in order. You know how stuff gets piled up when the storms of life hit. We've all been there one time or another. We'll keep you posted on specifics as needs arise ...

3) Our drummer needs some help moving some equipment. Specific where and when TBA.

If you can help this Saturday and/or want to be put "on call" for #2 or #3, please let Kevin know: km@homecareassistance.com

ALSO, in order to protect all those involved, volunteers and recipients need to complete a brief form or two. If you'd like copies, contact KEVIN at km@homecareassistance.com or DEB at dcruver@pillar.org.

The Birth of a Compost Pile

How much fun can it be to layer dead leaves, fresh cut clover, used coffee grounds, kitchen scraps, straw and dirt into a pile? Really. Well, believe it or not, some of us really did have a great time! God graciously held off the rain until we were done. Special thanks to the "compost team": David, Keith, Dominick, Mike and Lauren who joined me in the Garden on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12! Great job! We'll be keeping an eye on the pile, turning it as necessary (and building more) over the fall and winter so that, in the spring, we can "feed" the soil in our vegetable beds and around the fruit trees and shrubs. If you'd like to help us or would like to learn how to build your own compost pile at home (a smaller one, of course), contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org for more information.

COMPOST DAY! November 12, 2006

We want your garbage!! We are collecting raw fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, fall leaves and grass clippings during all three services at Zarephath Christian Church: 5:30pm Saturday night (11th), as well as 9:00 and 11:00 Sunday morning (12th). Why would we do such a thing?! In God's Creation, there is no waste! Our food scraps break down and are food for the soil. By building healthy soil, we can grow healthy food! After our collection, we'll meet over at MNGarden from 1:00-2:00 pm to build compost piles. Any volunteers who come then learn how to build their own compost piles at home for their 2007 gardens. Come join us!! For more information, contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org.

What Can YOU Do?

Have you been feeling like you want to make a difference in the world? Have you finally realized that God has created you for a purpose, but you're just not clear about what that purpose is? Why not choose one of the outreach opportunities listed below to begin using your gifts and talents to make a difference in someone else's life? We're always looking for volunteers who are willing to answer the call to "Follow Me." And, we never turn down tax-deductible donations toward any of My Neighbor's Ministries. Contributions can be earmarked and written to Zarephath Christian Church. You can also pray with us that, as we reach out to those in need, people will experience the love and compassion of Jesus.

My Neighbor's HEALTH

Presently, MNHealth is picking up speed with its creative healthcare endeavor: Zarephath Health Center -- a dream come true of Drs. John and Alieta Eck. This clinic offers healthcare to low-income and uninsured "neighbors." For more detailed information, visit http://www.zhcenter.org.

Additionally, we are planning some upcoming classes in self-defense, martial arts, aerobics, nutrition, etc. For more information, contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org.

My Neighbor's CLOSET

MNCloset made its debut in 2004 with a clothing drive to benefit Franklin Township Food Bank's "Working Persons' Wardrobe." We were able to collect slightly used suits, skirts, blouses, dress pants, etc. to give to those seeking employment and in need of interview and nice work clothes. We also have collected new and used items for the men assisted by Market Street Mission as well as for children in Nicaragua & Costa Rica during the 2005 missions trip. In 2006, we expanded our collections to include school supplies for needy families in the fall and are launching a coat and blanket drive for the homeless over the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information about MNCloset, contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org or MICHELE through Zarephath Christian Church: 732-356-2502.

My Neighbor's HOME

The desire of this ministry is to connect the elderly, single parents and others with special needs who may be experiencing minor home-related problems with a trained handy-person. Our team of volunteers has already come to the aid of several grateful "neighbors"! And last year, we traveled as far as New Orleans on two trips to assist those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. For more information about MNHome, contact KEVIN at km@homecareassistance.com or DEB at dcruver@pillar.org.

My Neighbor's PANTRY

Zarephath Christian Church collects shelf food items on a regular basis. Food is distributed to those who come to us with a need as well as to the young men who join us for Urban Impact each month. Our goal is to provide higher quality and healthier food items.

We're rallying friends and families to fill a bag for Urban Impact. One weekend each month, 40-60 young men join us on the Zarephath campus from Camden, the Bronx, Staten Island and Newark. (See the Urban Impact link for more information.) We'd like to send each young man home with some food to share with his family.

Here's a list of the items we're asking for to fill each bag:

1 pkg raisins or applesauce

1 bag whole grain rice

1 box old fashioned oats

1 jar tomato sauce

1 can beans or dried bean soup mix

2 cans soup

3 can tuna

We're also collecting $25 grocery gift cards to give to families in need of assistance through ZCC.

For more information about MNPantry, contact LOIS lois.bennett@covad.net.

My Neighbor's GARDEN

My Neighbor's GARDEN has been created to give children and adults the opportunity to reconnect with Creation through organic, sustainable agriculture. MNGarden sits on a 5-acre lot in Somerset, New Jersey. The gardening methods used require minimal space, equipment and labor, so it's ideal for ANYONE -- including low-income families and mission sites around the world. In just a small section, we have set up a proto-type family-of-four garden area: the size of a small backyard. In the future, we hope to provide "Wild Things" summer camps, training for area residents as well as experienced teams sent out to India, Africa, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. (Hey, you can't accomplish big things without first having big dreams, right?!) For more information about MNGarden, contact DEB at dcruver@pillar.org or KEITH through Zarephath Christian Church: 732-356-2502.

Welcome to My Neighbor's Ministries

Jesus did many things as He walked this earth. He spent some time with the religious leaders of the day, but the majority of his time was spent "on the streets" as he taught, touched and healed the masses. His heart, full of compassion was poured out to the orphans, widows, physically and mentally disabled -- really, everyone in desperate need of healing and hope. His invitation to us was summed up in two simple words: "Follow Me."

This blogsite was created for anyone interested in knowing more about Zarephath Christian Church's response to the invitation to Follow Jesus: "My Neighbor's Ministries." The idea was birthed in 2005 from the conviction that those of us who claim to follow Christ need to spend more time putting our faith into action.

In the following posts, we will share with you each outreach designed to meet specific needs. If you would like more information, please contact DEBRA at dcruver@pillar.org.