Monday at the Mission
The Weekly Newsletter of People's City Mission
Lincoln, Nebraska
Compassion Honesty Respect Innovation Stability |
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Greetings!
Pictured to the right is the new Agape Cafe in the Curtis Center (for men). I rather like the sound of the name of this new gathering center for our guests. And more than that, I like the looks of the Agape Cafe. What a welcoming sight it presents with coffee-house style seating, large windows, and two flat screen televisions mounted on the walls where everyone can see them. The room is divided by a low wall into different functional areas, however it is open enough to make it feel like a commons area where all are welcomed.
The word Agape comes from the Greek language and it is best translated as "love." Now the Greeks had several different words for love, each describing a different aspect of this familiar emotion. There was the word Eros which means to love in a romantic way or a physical way, seeking its object for the sake of its own pleasure or satisfaction. Then there is the word Phileo which refers to the affection shown among friends...a brotherly love...from which we get the name Philadelphia, "City of Brotherly Love." Thirdly, when the Greeks spoke of family love they often used the word Stergo or Storge. However, the Greek word Agape is the term most commonly used in the New Testament for God's Love.
We all remember the classic text of John 3:16. "For God so loved this world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Agape refers to a love that seeks to help its object rather than desiring to possess it....or simply put, Agape is the love that gives itself for the other.
What a magnificent name for this lovely gathering place for the men of the HIS Center! It is a vibrant and a loving expression of our love and concern for them, evidenced by the high quality finishes and furnishings. I think that the Agape Cafe, and the entire Curtis Center, is a visual translation of the New Testament word, Agape.
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| Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday or Mardi Gras |
Lent 2008 is beginning.
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| Lent begins this Wednesday. Many cultures have historically dedicated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday as a day for confession and forgiveness, symbolized by the ritual of the imposition of ashes.
Whatever your Lenten customs and practices, let me encourage you to adopt some spiritual practice during the forty days of Lent that will help you prepare for Easter Sunday on March 23.
Someone I love tells me that it is easier to crowd God out of life than to argue Him out! The challenge is ours. Let's take time during Lent to nourish our souls.
If you want to join me during Lent, I will be reading and meditating on the book Heart Speaks to Heart by Henri J. M. Nouwen. Nouwen writes that we are all searching for peace and the search for peace is a journey toward Jerusalem. |
| Thanks be to God.... |
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| Last Monday, two healthy babies were born to mothers staying at the Mission. One was a boy and one was a girl. Both are healthy and have come home to the Mission with their mothers.
For two days, we were short one crib as we have quite a few infants staying here. Then we received a donation of a full-sized crib and a portable crib! Thank you to our donors and thanks be to God for these two new lives. |
| Edna needs Vegetables |
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| Edna, our Kitchen Manager, was just in my office. We need donations of canned vegetables for our PCM kitchen. That sounds like an easy request...beans, peas, corn, carrots, and mixed vegetables.
So I asked how many cans we used for a meal!
For lunch we use about 48 small cans (one pound) or six of the #10 cans. For the evening meal, we use 60 to 72 of the smaller cans or eight of the #10 cans. That's a lot of vegetables!
Not satisfied, I asked about potatoes. Fifty pounds of fresh potatoes are enough for lunch, but we use 75 pounds for an evening meal. Tonight Edna is fixing 130 pounds of boneless pork roast for supper. This noon we consumed 120 pounds of chicken pieces, with bone and skin.
It takes a lot of food to feed our hungry guests. Of course, we also provide food, free of charge, to the clients who use our Distribution Center. Your donations of food are very much appreciated.
If you are able to give us some canned vegetables this month, we would appreciate it!
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| I need your help! |
| My boss has an "opportunity" for me! |
| Pastor Tom and I have been discussing Monday at the Mission. Monday has been positively received by many of you. Tom would like me to expand its publication. Currently we have 300 names on our mailing list. My goal is to double this number!
Will you help me? I would like you to send me the name of one friend that you think would like to know more about what is going on at the Mission. I need the name and email address in order to put them on my mailing list.
Thank you! Let's spread the word about what God is doing at PCM!
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| Barbara McCall, Director of Donor Development
People's City Mission
110 Q Street Lincoln,Nebraska 68508
402 475-1303 |
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