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Justice and Compassion Ministry
The mission of the Justice &
Compassion Ministry 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, 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
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
If Jesus Were Mayor, by Bob Moffit
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 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 Monday from 3 to 7pm (see below for
the next occurrence). 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 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)
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 or Terry Hanley.
Email Liz Miner 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 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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help one child
Help One Child supports
Foster children in Santa Clara County. This includes foster parents,
respite care providers and building communities of Christians to
support and encourage kids in the child welfare system. Help One
Child is looking for foster parents, childcare providers for foster
parents, transportation providers and general admin support.
Frequency: monthly or
weekly or quarterly
Open to: individuals, couples and families
Location: Santa Clara County
Duration: Varies depending on commitment
Commitment: at least 6 months
Training: initial orientation, fingerprinting and background check
required.
VCFP Contact: Katie
Fantin, or go to www.helponechild.org for more info
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northern california urban development
Northern California Urban Development
(NCUD)'s mission is to transform Northern California's urban communities,
starting in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park, by fostering
initiatives and projects for economic empowerment and community
development. NCUD focuses on three types of activities: Economic
Development, Community Development and Leadership Development. NCUD
is looking for youth mentors and instructors as well as general
office and admin support.
Frequency: monthly or
weekly
Open to: individuals and couples
Location: East Palo Alto
Duration: 2-3 hours per volunteer commitment
Commitment: varies
Training: initial orientation, fingerprinting and background check
may be required.
VCFP Contact: Georgina
Aubin or go to www.norcaludc.org
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the family center on east o'keefe
The Family Center on East O'Keefe
is a ministry whose mission is to share God's transforming love
in our neighborhood by building relationships, sharing resources,
and inviting people to become part of God's family. The Family Center
s looking for bible club leaders, tutors, and mentors for youth
ages 6-18 and support for families as well.
Frequency: monthly or
weekly
Open to: individuals, couples and families
Location: East Palo Alto
Duration: 2-3 hours per volunteer commitment
Commitment: at least 6 months
Training: initial orientation, fingerprinting and background check
may be required.
VCFP Contact:
Rachel Field or go to www.norcaludc.org
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joyful noise xpress
jnX is one of the international ministries
led by members of our community. We are highlighting them here while
we work on a separate page for our around-the-world friends. ...
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 2nd Sunday 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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Upcoming
International Mission's Trip
VCFP currently partner with Acts of Mercy in Chennai, India with
Vineyard Pastor John Christian. Acts of Mercy is involved in a large
number of activities in India, ranging from providing shelter, job
skills training for widows', summer camps for children, and ongoing
support for those in need in Chennai, India. We are excited to serve
with Acts of Mercy, and have a trip planned for Feb 5, 2010 -Feb
15, 2010.
Want to support this trip in prayer or financially, or learn more
about Acts of Mercy? Contact the church office.
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