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"Una Iglesia/Una Vision ... Trabajando para la comunidad"
Charlotte is ready for YOU to "Work for the Community"
While working with the local mission committee of the General Assembly,
I was asked to give a general "report" of what we've done
in past assemblies. It was a great exercise for me to realize how
much we have done! YOU have done! General Assembly work began in
1993 when 1000 signed up to sandbag following the flooding in St.
Louis, Mo. Those who still proudly don those green "I fought
the Flood" shirts remember working side by side with Desmond
Tutu that year.
Since then, more than 4,400 volunteers have put on a green shirt
and participated in four cities: Pittsburgh, Denver, Cincinnati
and Kansas City. Work has included but is not limited to: building
a church, refurbishing bleachers in an inner city park, painting
in Children's homes, working on Habitat for Humanity homes, serving
meals in soup kitchens and parks, painting in churches and painting
the outside of a church. We installed electricity and plumbing,
worked with kids and elderly. Some cleaned lots while others painted
houses or built accessibility ramps. Lots of cleaning happened and
even more relationships were built. Relationships that led us to
believe that God is good and God is a part of this vital work because
as each relationship grew, the Kingdom of God was experienced and
grew!
So, this year, we find ourselves gathering again for a General
Assembly. This time in Charlotte, NC. Is there work to be done in
Charlotte? You bet there is! An incredible local arrangements committee
is working hard to design quality work opportunities for hundreds
of volunteers. We are working closely with Parks and Rec and the
leaders in the Latino neighborhoods to bring new life to neglected
neighborhood parks; parks teeming with kids and needing a face lift.
Parks in neighborhoods that will soon be home to a new Disciples
congregation: Primera Iglesia Cristiana pastored by Juan Carlos
Hernandez. 
Volunteers can do very physical labor landscaping parks or they
can talk with elderly or children in centers working with them.
You can sort clothes or build a footwalk ... stock food or plant
trees. Paint or play with kids. All skills and ages are needed!
We have promised the Charlotte community at least 1000 volunteers.
Hopefully 150 will come early to get in their work time before the
assembly begins. We'll gather on Wednesday night and work on Thursday
and Friday. Then, on Saturday and Monday we hope to have 500 come
out to work each afternoon. Will you miss a day of Vision Fest?
Yes. Will you miss a day of Resource Groups? Yes? Then, why do it?
Do it because you will not be the same when you have finished.
Do it because it is the right thing to do. Do it because it will
enrich your assembly experience. Do it because families should work
together to make a difference in this world. Do it because there
is a need and you are capable of meeting it. Do it because God is
calling you by name to say, "Yes!" Whatever the motivation,
plan on joining the 100's of volunteers in Charlotte who are saying
"Yes! Si! Somos una iglesia con una visiõn"
For details about all the work available and to get a registration
form (which must be turned in by Sept. 1), go to the Web site: www.homelandministries.org/missions/vim
or call Brenda Tyler (888) 346-2631. Count yourself among the proud
bearers of green shirts! You will never be the same. Still not convinced?
Ask Sarah or Frank or Barbara or Mike or Shirley or Jim or Glenn
or Kathy or Paula or Warren or Hillary or Courtney or ... well,
you get the picture! See you in Charlotte!
The Rev. Jayna E. Powell,
director of Volunteers in Mission, is a native of Stockton, Calif.,
and a member of Christian Temple, Baltimore, Md.
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