Monday, November 19, 2012
Church, restaurant join forces to serve Thankgiving dinner to needy
With the help of local donations, an East Dundee
restaurateur is teaming up with an Elgin church to bring free
Thanksgiving meals to the northern Fox Valley.
Beverardo Sanchez, the owner of the
Family Buffet, is working with the Elgin Evangelical Covenant Church to
provide 1,000 dinners on Thanksgiving to families who have no place else
to go or cannot afford to buy their own holiday meal.
“We have so much to be thankful for,” said
Henoch Fuentes, one of the organizers. “We have our freedom to be
thankful for. We have our friends to be thankful for and our families to
be thankful for. This is a celebration for everyone.”
It also is a project that needs the
community’s help. In order for it to be a success, hams, turkeys and
other food donations are needed along with volunteers to help cook and
serve the diners who want to eat at the Route 25 restaurant or take the
cooked food home.
“We’ll need about 100 turkeys, 50 hams and 50 chickens,” Fuentes said. “We’ll also need cans of vegetables, potatoes and rolls.”
Church members will donate some of the items. Organizers are hoping local residents will donate the rest.
“We’ll start cooking the turkeys, hams
and chickens, a day or two before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22).” Sanchez said.
“The turkeys should be boneless because they will take less time to
cook. A full turkey takes about 3½ hours to cook. A boneless turkey will
take about an hour and a half to cook.”
Atheist-Inspired Ban on Santa Monica Nativity Displays to Be Challenged in CA Court Today
LOS ANGELES (TheBlaze/AP) — Damon Vix didn’t have to go to court to
push Christmas out of the city of Santa Monica. He just joined the
festivities.
The atheist’s anti-God message alongside a life-sized nativity display in a park overlooking the beach ignited a debate that burned brighter than any Christmas candle.
Santa Monica officials snuffed the city’s holiday tradition this year rather than referee the religious rumble, prompting churches that have set up a 14-scene Christian diorama for decades to sue over freedom of speech violations. Their attorney will ask a federal judge Monday to resurrect the depiction of Jesus’ birth, while the city aims to eject the case (for TheBlaze’s past analysis of this case, read here).
The atheist’s anti-God message alongside a life-sized nativity display in a park overlooking the beach ignited a debate that burned brighter than any Christmas candle.
Santa Monica officials snuffed the city’s holiday tradition this year rather than referee the religious rumble, prompting churches that have set up a 14-scene Christian diorama for decades to sue over freedom of speech violations. Their attorney will ask a federal judge Monday to resurrect the depiction of Jesus’ birth, while the city aims to eject the case (for TheBlaze’s past analysis of this case, read here).
Search Begins for the Longest Married Couple in Canada
CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island,
Nov. 19, 2012
/Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by the
Canadian Board of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, North American
Secretariat:
The search for the longest married couple in Canada was announced today by James and Connie McNeill and Fr. John Juhl, the Canadian Ecclesial Team for Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME), the original faith-based marriage enrichment program.
"We are pleased that our marriage enrichment ministry can take this opportunity to celebrate husbands and wives that been married for many, many years," said Mr. and Mrs. McNeill and Fr. Juhl. "In addition to recognizing the longest married couple in the country, we want to honour the longest married couple from each province and territory."
National winners will be recognized during the week of Valentine's Day in 2013. This coincides with World Marriage Day, which is held on the second Sunday of February each year. This is the first year that the highly acclaimed project will be held in Canada. The project is entering its third year in the United States.
Nominations are open to husbands and wives regardless of religious affiliation, and may be submitted by a friend, family member or the couple themselves by email, regular mail or phone. To nominate a couple, simply submit the names of the husband and wife, their wedding date and where they currently reside, as well as a contact number or email address of the person nominating the couple. Nominations can be sent as follows: email renewmarriage@gmail.com; regular mail to WWME Canada, 15 Centennial Drive, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 6C6 or phone (902) 367-2061 . Nominations must be received by January 10th, 2013.
Christian Newswire
The search for the longest married couple in Canada was announced today by James and Connie McNeill and Fr. John Juhl, the Canadian Ecclesial Team for Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME), the original faith-based marriage enrichment program.
"We are pleased that our marriage enrichment ministry can take this opportunity to celebrate husbands and wives that been married for many, many years," said Mr. and Mrs. McNeill and Fr. Juhl. "In addition to recognizing the longest married couple in the country, we want to honour the longest married couple from each province and territory."
National winners will be recognized during the week of Valentine's Day in 2013. This coincides with World Marriage Day, which is held on the second Sunday of February each year. This is the first year that the highly acclaimed project will be held in Canada. The project is entering its third year in the United States.
Nominations are open to husbands and wives regardless of religious affiliation, and may be submitted by a friend, family member or the couple themselves by email, regular mail or phone. To nominate a couple, simply submit the names of the husband and wife, their wedding date and where they currently reside, as well as a contact number or email address of the person nominating the couple. Nominations can be sent as follows: email renewmarriage@gmail.com; regular mail to WWME Canada, 15 Centennial Drive, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 6C6 or phone (902) 367-2061 . Nominations must be received by January 10th, 2013.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter has been
offering weekend enrichment experiences for more than 44 years and is
considered the original faith-based marriage enrichment program. The
programs are continually updated to keep abreast of changes in society,
and include evening and half-day programs presented in parish halls and
other facilities in additional to the popular weekend program.
WWME has a presence in nearly 100
countries, which makes it the largest pro-marriage movement in the
world. In Canada, WWME programs are presented in English, French,
Spanish, and Korean.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter offers
married couples the opportunity to spend time together away from the
busyness of the world to focus on each other. It offers tools for
building and maintaining a strong, Christian marriage in today’s world.
To learn more about Worldwide Marriage Encounter email renewmarriage@gmail.com, or go to wwme.org.
Media inquiries should be directed to:
James & Connie McNeill
Christian Newswire
Kingman church group will try the homeless life
Church group will gather donations - and also try out life on the street
An outreach group made up of adults, teenagers and kids from St. John's United Methodist Church will have a makeshift cardboard box camp set up in the parking lot of the Stockton Hill Road Taco Bell Saturday.
They'll be showing solidarity with the homeless, holding up signs to raise awareness and collecting toiletries to give to the people staying at the Cornerstone Mission and Diana's Faith House as part of Hunger and Homeless Awareness month.
"This is the first time we're doing something like this," said Linda Chevalier, the chair for the church's mission's team. "It'll be a big awakening."
Whether you can spare a couple bottles of shampoo and conditioner or several tubes of toothpaste makes no difference because all types of hygiene products will be accepted, Chevalier said.
The group will be in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. From there, they'll head to the Cornerstone Mission, where they plan to stand in line for a meal and eat dinner with the residents, she said.
Then they'll head back to the church, where they'll sleep outside in the cardboard boxes they used at Taco Bell for the hygiene drive.
"Hopefully we can make it through the night," Chevalier said.
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An outreach group made up of adults, teenagers and kids from St. John's United Methodist Church will have a makeshift cardboard box camp set up in the parking lot of the Stockton Hill Road Taco Bell Saturday.
They'll be showing solidarity with the homeless, holding up signs to raise awareness and collecting toiletries to give to the people staying at the Cornerstone Mission and Diana's Faith House as part of Hunger and Homeless Awareness month.
"This is the first time we're doing something like this," said Linda Chevalier, the chair for the church's mission's team. "It'll be a big awakening."
Whether you can spare a couple bottles of shampoo and conditioner or several tubes of toothpaste makes no difference because all types of hygiene products will be accepted, Chevalier said.
The group will be in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. From there, they'll head to the Cornerstone Mission, where they plan to stand in line for a meal and eat dinner with the residents, she said.
Then they'll head back to the church, where they'll sleep outside in the cardboard boxes they used at Taco Bell for the hygiene drive.
"Hopefully we can make it through the night," Chevalier said.
READ MORE
Two-time Cancer Survivor Shares Inspiring Personal Reflections in New Motivational Book
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 19, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- People facing cancer and other life challenges can find hope from Susan M. Culey's newly released book "Overflow with Confident Hope...because you can." Written in a quirky, non-conventional style and filled with positive insights to dealing with overwhelming odds, "Overflow with Confident Hope" promotes an upbeat, faith-filled attitude.
Ms. Culey is no stranger to success and catastrophe. An award-winning hair stylist and successful business owner for many years, she seemed to hold the world in her hands. But, in a very short time, she lost everything after enduring two battles with breast cancer and other personal tragedies. But, rather than giving in and growing bitter, she fought through her fatigue and fears, believing that God had a great plan for her life.
"I had religion crammed down my throat when I was a kid," says Ms. Culey. "I knew about God, but I didn't know Him as my Friend until my personal struggles with cancer. I wanted to share my journey with people because it was about much more than just cancer. The battles literally brought me face-to-face with my past perspectives about God, and my great need for a compassionate, forgiving and healing Creator. I want the world to know that a person can find hope during and in spite of their trials. And more than that, they can overflow with confident hope every day."
"Susan was in the hospital when she began writing some of the pages in this book," stated Chris Lang, film producer and family friend. "I remember the pieces of handwritten paper that she read to me as I visited her there. I've since been inspired by Susan's courage to pursue a positive perspective even while she deals with so many obstacles."
Through powerful personal stories and inspiring Bible passages, "Overflow with Confident Hope" presents a practical approach to perceiving life circumstances. Faith-filled anecdotes provide dynamic insights on how to overcome fears, insecurities, helplessness and desperation. The themes touch on complications, uncertainties and anxieties of the mind to help the reader understand how to live with confident hope.
For more information about the book or to schedule Ms. Culey for an interview or speaking engagement, visit www.SusanCuley.com.
Christian Newswire
1,300 Volunteers Deployed to Staten Island for #SandyThanksgiving Disaster Relief Efforts by Liquid Church of NJ
MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 19, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Having already "mucked out" (cleaned and gutted) almost 200 homes in three tri-state area regions over the last two weeks, Liquid Church of NJ is now directing its 1,300+ volunteers to Staten Island during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. Hundreds more damaged homes will be gutted and tons of critical need supplies, water and meals will be distributed this Thanksgiving weekend.
Superstorm Sandy impacted almost 15% of the US population, but was particularly catastrophic for Staten Island, where New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo recently estimated losses at $33 Billion for the state. Tim Lucas, Lead Pastor at Liquid Church said, "After serving on the ground the past two weeks, we realize the people of Staten Island are still in shock and recovery mode. The physical needs are acuter than originally thought."
This past weekend, 220 volunteers from Liquid Church worked along side relief teams from the We Care, the National Guard, the American Red Cross, NYPD, and NYFD. Volunteers also participated in emergency assessment training at FEMA facilities by the relief site. Church leaders are now mobilizing hundreds more Sandy Thanksgiving volunteers each day this coming holiday weekend, including Thanksgiving Day on Staten Island.
Relief supplies collected by the NJ-based Christian church, will be distributed to families as volunteer teams clean out houses devastated by the storm. Hot meals will also be supplied for relief workers and members of the community. Recent inventory of contributions collected by Liquid Church include:
- Water: 965 Gallons of water (over 4 TONS of clean water)
- Canned Meat: 1,255 cans
- Baby Food: 2,052 packs, tubes, etc.
- Peanut Butter: 343 jars
- Socks: 1,900 pairs of socks
- Other Goodness: 3,400 cans, boxes, jars
ABOUT LIQUID CHURCH
Liquid Church is one of NJ's fastest-growing Christian churches. Founded in 2001 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, the church's vision is to "take church to the people" with campuses in Morristown, New Brunswick, and Nutley. Nearly 2,500 people experience Liquid's worship services each weekend in New Jersey and around the globe through Church Online. As a part of its global outreach Liquid provides clean drinking water to the poorest of the poor with dozens of completed projects in Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Haiti and El Salvador. More details are available at: www.LiquidChurch.com
For members of the media: Online pressroom available at www.liquidchurch.com/media/
Christian Newswire
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Rushing Aid to Communities in Southern Israel
$2.7
million emergency aid package includes help for victims of destruction,
emergency supplies, bomb shelters, help for first responders
CHICAGO AND JERUSALEM,
Nov. 16, 2012
/Christian Newswire/ -- The International Fellowship of
Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) announced today increased funding
of emergency aid for families in southern Israel and new security
projects to assist communities in the line of fire. Rocket attacks on
cities in southern Israel are continuing as the IDF launches a wide
assault on terrorists and military infrastructure in Gaza Strip.
A $2.7 million emergency and security aid package includes supplies for the people in communities under fire in southern Israel, including Netivot, Sderot, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, Sdot Negev, and Eshkol. The assistance includes:
- Basic supplies for children and families and the elderly in shelters--including food, medicine, diapers, blankets, mattresses, and generators.
- Evacuation of families left homeless, and food and other supplies for these people.
- Generators for emergency command centers, and food for emergency staff and volunteers.
- Renovation of 50 bomb shelters in the southern Israel cities of Ashkelon, Ashdod, Beer Sheva and Netivot
- Reinforced trauma clinic in the Eshkol Regional Council
- Equipment and training for community first responders
- 28 emergency command centers in endangered towns and cities
Home Front Defense Minister Avi Dichter told the Jerusalem Post that The Fellowship's contribution would "enable communities to be active, whether in the form of emergency teams or the provision of emergency services such as health clinics and fortified public shelters... I applaud Rabbi Eckstein's move, which will directly affect the million residents of the South."
The $2.7 million in emergency assistance is in addition to a series of projects costing $5.6 million that The Fellowship has funded during the past year to strengthen the emergency security system in Israel.
Christian Newswire
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Ohio church sews quilts of love for Congo ill
Nancy Byrd and the congregation at Christ United Methodist Church, Kettering, Ohio, know how it feels to be wrapped up in a “God-size” dream and see it come true.
The church raised $117,000 and helped tip the scales to buy a new plane for an aviation ministry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But money wasn’t enough; they wanted something more personal.
An idea formed in Byrd’s heart of a way that each person in the Ohio church could actually touch someone in the Congo. Touch a piece of cloth, touch a person was how Byrd explains it.
At a special service in May, every woman, man and child in church that day held a nine-inch square of cloth in his or her hands and prayed over it. Those cloths were sewn into quilts that will be shipped to the Congo to bring comfort to sick and suffering people.
“These small pieces of cloth will emerge into a symbol of the family of Christ Church personally touching the lives of our brothers and sisters so many miles away … personally sending the extravagant love and healing power of Christ from this place to our brothers and sisters in the Congo,” Byrd said as the congregation held the pieces of cloth in their hands and prayed.
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