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Dear ,
Marta's* story is one that many of us can relate to. Everything was going well for her. She had a nice place to live with a roommate. Having reached her 70s, she had time to do the things she enjoyed like volunteering. She was on a waiting list for a retirement center, but that list was rather long. She was willing to wait. After all, her own grandmother didn't move into a retirement center until she was 99 years old. She had grumbled then about having to live with all those old people. Marta was content to be where she was. But the old saying is true: Life is what happens when you are making other plans.
Marta's roommate had family who needed to move in. So Marta had to find another place to stay. That didn't prove to be so easy. She was forced to take up residence in her car for a time. Then she heard that the Brother Frances Shelter had a woman's shelter. She went there and had a roof over her head again. She also found that living in the shelter moved her up the list at the retirement center much quicker than living with a roommate. Within six weeks a room became available.
Brother Frances staff recommended she call Love INC to help furnish her place. She made the call to us and we were able to get her furniture in about a week's time. She was pleased with the help she received. "They could not have been nicer." She told the people at Love INC that the bed, dining set, and chairs for the living room were what it took to make her little house a home. There is no doubt that Marta has been through a lot these last few months. But now she has her own place at the retirement center and she is very happy. Was it difficult going from having a roommate to living alone? Marta seems content with that as well. "I love being by myself. That's the one thing I've always enjoyed," she explained. She doesn't equate being alone with loneliness at all. "I have never been lonely. There is no reason to be lonely in this world." Marta is back to volunteering. She works as a cashier at the Arctic Rose dining hall at the senior center. She loves the chance to meet new people or see friends there. "Some of the people live where I do, so it is like old home week."
Marta is a wonderful example to us all. While the Arctic Rose was being remodeled this month, she had plans to help out her friends in Eagle River. Unfortunately a sprained ankle has her laid up. Did she complain? Certainly not! In fact, she did quite the opposite. As we chatted over the phone she made a comment that seemed to sum up her whole attitude, in spite of all she has been through recently. "My life is about as perfect as it could be."
*Not her real name.
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 | Love INC's Spotlight On Partner Churches |
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We enjoy taking the opportunity to introduce you to the partner churches of Love INC in this part of the newsletter. Every month we highlight a different partner church and give you a glimpse into what its body of believers is like. We want you to see how God uses churches of all shapes, sizes and styles to reach out to Anchorage.
St. John United Methodist Church has been partnering with Love INC since 2008. They are located at 1801 O'Malley Road, 907-344-3025, www.stjohneagle.com (website), stjohn@gci.net (email). Peter Perry is the senior pastor and Jo Ann Schaadt is the associate pastor. They minister in the community in a variety of ways including: Habitat for Humanity, Clare House, PET Project (Personal Energy Transport devices), Birchwood Camp, Parrish Nurses, Alaska Children's Services, and Prayer Shawls.
Their mission statement is simple. "St. John: where we are a welcoming family, joyfully sharing God's light." Making Love INC part of their ministry supports their mission statement because, in partnership with us, St. John is able to minister to a diverse variety of people. As that welcoming body, their congregation is a reflection of that same diversity. This is visible looking through the church's doors on Sunday morning. But for Ann LaRue, the Love INC church ministry coordinator, it goes beyond the externals. "Love INC has changed my life spiritually so that I appreciate my church even more."
How does this church impact its members as well as its community to this degree? The means may seem simple to you. Volunteers help with computer data input. Their Monday Morning Women supply the products used in the Bathroom Essentials Baskets, which are then assembled and delivered by Baxter Bible Church. In other words, they found ways to minister, both individually and corporately, and do so consistently with a heart of service. God does the rest.
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| You are needed to touch lives, in the Name of Christ
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An increase in calls for help as temperatures drop has inspired us to place a call out to all who might be interested in joining a compassionate team of volunteers. A conservative estimate is that we only have about 1/2 of the volunteers necessary to manage the calls with love and excellence. It is always Love INC's desire to so and, without additional volunteers, that standard of interaction with our neighbors will not be possible.
Love INC in Anchorage is excited about having you volunteer. Our most significant needs are call center volunteers on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 until 12:00pm. Currently volunteers are also needed Monday through Thursday anytime between 8am-4pm for intakes, volunteer mobilizion, case management, and office duties. Additinoally, there are opportunities to serve in those capacities on Tuesday and Thursday until 8:00pm.
It will be a joy to work with you in sharing the Love of Christ with those in need throughout our Anchorage community. Please pray about becoming a part of this exciting work bridging the gap between those in need and the Church. Contact Glenn at 274-5683, or clearinghouse.loveinc@alaska.net for more information.
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