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Missions and Outreach at VCFP
The mission of the Outreach and Missions ministry is to to educate, equip, empower, and
encourage those at VCFP to extend the transforming love of Jesus
to our world -- locally and internationally. Below is more information on ministries supported by VCFP and ways you can get involved.
If you would like to receive
more information about outreach opportunities and education, support
and training, go to our
outreach and missions group page, and apply for membership.
Our Ministry
Values:
- Supported ministries are local, and can be impacted by us
as a church. This means a ministry that we can in some way make
a difference in.
- Supported ministries match our vision/values as a church.
- Supported ministries give us the opportunity to develop relationships
with those that are served within that ministry.
- Supported ministries give us the opportunity to experience
personal transformation (ie, humility, repentance, change in
values, etc..).
- Supported ministries allow the church to integrate financial
giving and service (ie, we will consider giving financially
to ministries we support from the front of the church).
For more information,
email Katie Fantin or call
the church office at 650.327.5727.
Recommended Book List:
Justice in the Burbs, by Will and Lisa Samson
Let Justice Roll Down, by John Perkins
The Good News about Injustice, by Gary A. Haugen
The Hole in our Gospel, by Richard Stearns
Freedom of Simplicity, by Richard Foster
Compassion and the Christian Life, by Robert Lupton
Practical Justice, by Kevin Blue
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Hot Meals Program in Palo Alto
The hot meals mission is to build
loving, Christ-centered relationships with those who come for a
hot meal. We do this while cooking, serving and eating food with
them.
The Hot Meals ministry involves
cooking and serving a hot meal for the local poor and homeless.
This occurs once a month on a Mondayor Wednesdays from 3 to 7pm). We partner with InnVision, which provides
the raw materials for cooking. You are welcome to come for any portion
of the meal: cooking 3-5pm, serving 5-6pm, clean-up 6-7pm. For more
information and dates to serve contact Rajesh Philipos.
This ministry is a great way to serve and connect with the local
poor and homeless.
Frequency: monthly (Mondays and Wednesdays 3-7)
Open to: individuals and families (supervision required for children)
Location: Palo Alto (First United Methodist Church at 625 Hamilton
Ave and First Presbyterian Church1140 Cowper St.)
Duration: 1-4 hours
Commitment: no ongoing commitment required
Training: as needed
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Jail Ministry
VCFP partners with CIC ministries to serve
inmates—men, women and youth—in local county jails.
We currently provide 3-4 worship services per month at the women's
jail and a weekly Bible study at the men's side. We also have volunteers
who visit the youth facility. More opportunities exist for serving
inside and outside the jails. For more information contact Christina Lim or Terry Hanley.
Email Katie Fantin to be put on an
email list which sends out info, prayer requests, and jail testimonies.
For more info, visit www.cicministries.org.
Frequency: monthly or weekly
Open to: individuals and couples
Location: Milpitas, San Jose, half-way house in Mtn View TBD (Santa
Clara County Jail system)
Duration: 2 hours per volunteer commitment
Commitment: at least 12 months
Training: initial orientation plus annual training; fingerprinting
and background check required; 3-4 support meetings at VCFP per
year.
REFLECTIONS ON A FIRST VISIT TO JAIL
BEFORE: nervousness,
curiosity, and a little fear - Would the women look at me as an
'outsider' who couldn't relate to them? Would there be fights
breaking out or hostage taking? Would we be in danger? (I watch
way too much TV & movie melodramas!)
DURING: as Katie led
us in worship songs I realized all my fears were groundless. If
it weren't for the striped jumpsuits I would have thought I was
at church - clapping, hands high in reverence, crying with overwhelming
emotion for our Lord's love and compassion. Worship was followed
by a preaching on Psalm 23 by Katie & Liz. The women were engaged
totally in the teaching - "amen's", "right-on's", "praise God's"
were all heard. The women were offered a chance to write their
own psalm [letter to God] & some shared what they wrote.The shared
psalms were thoughtful, pleading - for self and others, angry,
heart-breaking. Just like the psalmists in the bible - but here
& now.
AFTER: as in church,
prayer was offered for anyone who wanted to stay. Since this was
my first time I had "shadowed" Debbie McD pretty much the whole
time and continued here with her group of women [those that stayed
broke into small groups for prayer]. I was truly blessed by these
women's [girls really!] prayer requests. So many were for their
families, so few for themselves. Prayers of courage & wisdom for
themselves [to be able to avoid the things that got them into
jail], prayers for health & covering for their families. The email
prayer request lists sent out after the monthly visits are similar
to what I heard on Sunday. What is different for me now is that
when I read the requests and pray them, I can visualize the women
behind each and every one.
DEBRIEF: when all the
women were gone back to their cells, we (Liz, Katie, Francis,
Pam, Debbie & I) gathered and everyone asked how I felt after
my visit. I don't think I was very articulate in expressing my
thoughts - I think I was still processing my feelings and emotions
from the visit.
Today I will try to
summarize: As always, when I step out in faith with God (passed
my worldly fears and laziness), He holds my hand firmly & it's
EASY to do His will! As you've heard many times - these women
are already hungry for God. The ones that come to the service
are eager to "feel" our Lord touching them. It is a blessing to
me to be able to share this desire with them - that's all I did.
I didn't preach or cajole or convince them of anything - just
re-affirmed that Jesus is with them, that God has not abandoned
them, that He loves them. How much easier could it be?
--Lorrie Gemmell
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New Creation Home Ministries
New Creation Home Ministries
is a ministry in East Palo Alto providing housing and support services
to teen mothers ages 13-22 and their children. Volunteers are needed
for childcare (specifically Tues or Thurs evenings), for house supervising
(weekends and evenings) and for mentoring (minimum 4 hours a month). No
prior experience is needed; you will receive support and training.
For more information contact Katie
Fantin or call 650-321-3109. for more info, visit www.newcreationhome.org.
Frequency: quarterly, monthly, or weekly
Open to: individuals and families
Location: East Palo Alto
Duration: 11⁄2 -4 hours per volunteer commitment
Commitment: no ongoing commitment required
Training: initial orientation and ongoing training/support as needed;
fingerprinting may be required
International Ministries
Arms of Love
Arms of love is a Christian ministry that establishes and operates homes in Nicaragua and the Philippines that provide long-term care for orphaned, abandoned, and abused children in a family environment. For more information go to www.armsoflove.org.
MTEE (Ministry to Educate and Equip International)
Paul and Galinda Lindstedt, Moldova
MTEE is a 501c(3) transdenominational organization whose primary goal is to equip Christian leaders in Europe and Asia through educating, equipping and encouraging the national pastors and their churches so that they will impact their nations for Jesus Christ. Paul and Gala are on staff with MTEE and live in Chisinau, Moldova. To hear more about their ministry, email Paul Lindstedt or go to www.mtee.org
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Acts of Mercy
Acts of Mercy is a community-based Christian ministry working in Chennai, India serving the under served through a variety of programs that equip them with skills and resources to move toward a better future. VCFP has an ongoing connection to this ministry and sent a team to visit in 2010. For more information about future trips, contact Katie Fantin or go to www.actsofmercy.org.
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Joyful Noise Xpress
Who we are:
Joyful
Noise Xpress is a non-denominational and cross-cultural non-profit
ministry based in the United States serving churches all over the
world. Our board members, core team members, advisors, and volunteers
come from all walks of life and different church backgrounds.
What we do:
Our mission is to provide worship training, worship concerts and
music-related production services, to help lead God's people into
His presence, where we experience the life-transforming power of
God through intimate worship.
How you can help:
- As a prayer warrior to intercede for us. This is where the true
battle always begins and ends. We have an intercessory prayer
meeting every 3rd Tuesday of the month. If you are interested in
attending, please contact Anthony Chan at anthony@jnxpress.org.
- As a volunteer, there are many different areas where we could
use a helping hand and serving heart. Click here
if you are interested in helping.
- As a donor to support us financially and send us out to wherever
God opens doors.
For more information about
joyful noise Xpress, please visit our web site at http://www.jnx.org.
You can more about our vision,
learn more about the founder,
Anthony Chan, and see lots of photos
of our ministry trips—from Texas to India!
To find out more about what we've done lately and what events we're
planning, download a copy of our latest newsletter Joyful
Note (in PDF format) or pick up a copy at the Ministries table
at church.
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