Outreach & Missions...

Justice and Compassion Team

The mission of the Justice & Compassion Team is to to educate, equip, empower, and encourage those at VCFP to extend the transforming love of Jesus to our world -- through local outreach opportunities.

If you would like to receive more information about outreach opportunities and education, support and training, go to our JCT group page.

For more information, email Katie Fantin or call her at 650.400.8180. Or contact the church office at 650.327.5727.

Recommended Book List:

Let Justice Role Down, by John Perkins
The Good News about Injustice, by Gary A. Haugen
Freedom of Simplicity, by Richard Foster
Compassion and the Christian Life, by Robert Lupton
Practical Justice, by Kevin Blue
Restorers of Hope: Reaching the Poor in Your Community with Church-based Ministries That Work, by Amy Sherman

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Hot Meals Program in Palo Alto

The Hot Meals ministry involves cooking and serving a hot meal for the local poor and homeless. This occurs once a month on a Monday from 3 to 7pm (see church bulletin for the next occurrence). We partner with Urban Ministries of Palo Alto who 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 contact Sarah Ngola or Rajesh Philipos. This ministry is a great way to serve and connect with the local poor and homeless.
 
Frequency: monthly
Open to: individuals and families (supervision required for children under age 5)
Location: Palo Alto (First United Methodist Church at 625 Hamilton Ave.)
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 2 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 Liz Miner. 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 Mon or Tues 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

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bayshore christian ministries

Bayshore Christian Ministries (BCM) is a ministry equipping local youth to grow spiritually, gain life skills, and develop as leaders. BCM is looking for Bible study leaders, youth group leaders, tutors, and teen mentors. For more information contact Rolando Zeledon (Director of Operations) at 650-327-9942. For more info, visit www.bayshore.org.

Frequency: monthly or weekly
Open to: individuals and couples
Location: East Palo Alto
Duration: 2-3 hours per volunteer commitment
Commitment: at least 6 months
Training: initial orientation, fingerprinting and background check required.

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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:

1. 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 2nd Sunday of the month. If you are interested in attending, please contact Anthony Chan at anthony@jnxpress.org.
2. 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.
3. 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 read 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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