The District Bulletin Board News
UMM · Work Ministry Trailer · Honduras Mission Bus · DASH · Royal Family Kids Camp
District Work Trailer
The Cornerstone District has purchased a 5'x10' enclosed trailer to be used for local work ministry, mission trips and disaster relief efforts. The trailer will be available to all district churches on a first come basis for local work projects, for youth and other mission trips and for disaster relief and recovery teams from our district. We are hoping to grow the work ministry being done as a district. Work ministry generally means helping those in need with basic home repairs.
One work ministry vision is to have each church put together a team of people (teams could be one to fifty people) willing to help as needed. They would take care of simple individual projects identified by their own church. When a large project comes up, churches could notify the district office that they are looking for assistance from other teams. The work ministry trailer would be available for any projects as needed.
Each church in the district is encouraged to send a donation to the district office to help pay for and stock our district work ministry trailer. Checks should be made out to Cornerstone District and designated for "the work ministry trailer".
This is a wonderful opportunity for us to reach out to our neighbors, in His name and as a community of faith.
Please contact DS Larry Baird or Karen Christopherson at the District Office or Charlie Hodges at 664-5803.
Please celebrate with us as the Cornerstone District Work Team Ministry and Disaster Response Trailer has been paid in full. Thank you to the churches and everyone who made this possible. The trailer has already made two trips to Mississippi and Texas with hurricane response teams from the Cornerstone District.
District Work Team members have worked locally on several wheelchair ramps, the home of a single mother in South Dayton, a trailer water system in Busti, plumbing for an elderly woman in Jamestown and projects at the Steamburg UMC.
Please contact Charlie Hodges at Christ First UMC to see how your church or individuals can become involved with local projects and/or disaster response or to request assistance for a person or family who needs help with basic home repairs or maintenance. (716-664-5803). Typical criteria: use the words "poor" or "struggling". The trailer is available to any Cornerstone Church to use for mission and outreach efforts.
D.A.S.H. Ministies - (Divorce And Separation Healing)
Susan J. Coburn - Edwards Chapel Church – Founder and Co-Facilitator
Barbara L. LeRoy – Panama U.M. Church – Co-Facilitator
We are now into our fourth year of this ministry and we continue to serve the people as the Lord has willed for us. We primarily use the DivorceCare material; we feel it has been the most effective as well as being Biblically based. Because many of our participants have made the group, family, we do use other material for variety, such as Chip Ingram, Joyce Myers, Dobson etc. This past year we have offered to our participants, who are further along in their healing, the series “Keys to Loving Relationships” by Gary Smalley.
We have had the opportunity to witness to approximately 90 people in the outlying areas of Chautauqua County and PA that have come to our healing ministry throughout these past four years. Currently we have around 40 active members. Many have come to know the Lord personally for the first time or have renewed a relationship with him and found church families. Amen!!
It is the goal of the D.A.S.H. ministries to help those hurting to heal and become "single" in a way that would be pleasing to our Lord and Savior. By this we mean: unique, separate, and whole individuals in a balanced way both physically and emotionally. We receive many blessings each week by seeing the progress and hearing the personal testimonies of each one.
Recently D.A.S.H. ministries was represented at an annual singles conference held at the Letourneau Christian Conference Center in Canandaigua Lake, N.Y. with approximately 200 in attendance. We were asked to present two informational workshops to those attending. The first would be explaining how to lead and maintain a successful outreach ministry for singles. The second one would be helping those to heal through negative emotions such as anger, loneliness, fear, worry, bitterness. We give God all the glory for the way he was able to use us to minister to those in need at that conference. We have been invited to do more workshops again next year and were also asked by the Conference Director to lead in woman's seminars that they will be having later this year.
We would like to broaden our horizons by letting more and more people know about this ministry. One way of doing this is by speaking at the individual churches, district events or whatever that would bring awareness of this ministry. I think it is safe to say that almost everyone knows someone who is going through this trauma. The best thing you can do for them as their friend, family member, neighbor or church family is to tell them about this group. If you would like to have us speak at your church or at some event please contact us.
We would like to thank each one of you for your prayers and those that have provided financial donations that make this ministry possible. Without your encouraging words and support in these ways we would not be able to do what we do. Thank you for allowing the Lord to work through you to bless those in need. We find our strength from the Lord as we continue moving onward and upward toward the mark that he has for us. May this be an encouragement to you to serve him in your own unique way and just see what he can do!!
In His Service,
Sue (716-355-4344)and Barb (716-782-3942)
D.A.S.H. meets every Saturday night at Panama United Methodist Church, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
D.A.S.H. MINISTRIES RECIEVES GRANT FOR CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
D.A.S.H. (Divorce and Separation Healing) Ministries, through Edwards Chapel U.M. Church, received a grant from Bishop Fisher’s Fund for Children and Poverty this May 2006. The grant has been used to buy material and supplies to start a children’s program for those affected by divorce. For six years we have had an adult support group for the divorced and separated; the past couple of years we have offered childcare during the meetings because there were several young adults with children who would not be able to come otherwise. Because of the need and the interest from the parents of these children, we have begun to pursue offering the DivorceCare 4 Kids material (DC4K). The kids program and the adult program will run simultaneously and basically the same topics, such as depression, forgiveness etc. will be discussed by each; this will possibly open doors between parent and child to discuss these issues together.
Divorce and separation is one of the most painful events that can happen to a person. Statistics have found that it affects not only the couple involved but at least 12 other people close to them; the most innocent victims being the children. While many like to believe that “children will get over it”, statistics prove that unless dealt with properly, it can affect the rest of their lives, especially in relational aspects. DASH-4-KIDS will be a special group to help children heal from the hurt caused by the separation or divorce of their parents; all the while learning how God’s love can strengthen them and help turn their tears to hope and joy.
DC4K material combines games, crafts, activities, music and DVD dramas to create a fun atmosphere where children feel comfortable and accepted. DC4K material is aimed for children ages 5 – 12, however, it can be adapted for younger children. Older children can be helpers while learning themselves. Our target population includes the city of Jamestown and the surrounding communities. No discrimination is made regarding gender, ethnicity, disabilities etc. and their will be no cost.
Starting September 30, 2006, we will be meeting at Panama United Methodist Church, which is close to the city of Jamestown as well as serving the rural communities surrounding it. Meetings will be held every Saturday evening 6:30 to 8:30, year round. The meetings are held simultaneously with the adult program that we offer. The program is set-up in 13 week cycles which we will run back to back. This way a person can join at any time and not miss anything.
Our hope for this project is to provide a Christ-centered, loving environment for the children affected by the divorce and separation of their parents or even grandparents. Healing from this trauma is imperative for their future relationships and a recognition of God’s love and strength during this time is the key to true healing.
D.A.S.H. Ministries was the vision of Susan Coburn and her church Edwards Chapel, however, because of their rural location, it was presented to all churches in our district as a possible district wide ministry. Ultimately, it has been supported by Edwards Chapel U.M., Panama U.M. and now Findley Lake U.M. Churches. D.A.S.H. Ministries has served over 200 adults. We have also offered biblical workshops on healthy relationships and how to do relationships God’s way. The children’s program is one more very important way we can help those caught in this worldwide epidemic of broken families. Please visit our website at www.dashministries.org for more information.
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Royal Family Kids Camp
Bemus Point UMC sponsors one of only 3 certified RFKC in NY State. The other two are in Houghton and Brooklyn. Royal Family Kids' Camp offers a carefree week of residential summer camp for abused and neglected children between the ages of 7-11. These are children who are in contact with the Department of Social Services and, in most cases, are in foster care. Royal Family Camp may often be the first time they have a happy and secure experience. Royal Family Camp can be a life-changing encounter for these children. The children are allowed to come back every year until they are 11. This summer, August 2009, will be our 12th year. We take 40 campers each year. The children are all from Chautauqua County.
HOPE isn't something these children have much of. They have been abused. They have been neglected. They have been told and shown they aren't worth much. After a while, these children begin to believe this. We, at RFKC strive to give these children a healthy dose of positive self-worth. They are given opportunities to complete tasks successfully, learn new skills, and most of all to have FUN! They are allowed to make many choices at camp, this is something they may rarely get at home. We show them unconditional love and acceptance. We let them know just how precious they are and how much God loves them.
We are available to speak at church functions, UMW meetings, etc. For more information, contact Susie Davis at the Panama UMC at 782-4031 or Ernie Price at the Bemus Point UMC at 386-3401.
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Revision 6/7/06 mkb