Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) Arriving Later this Month

Once again we have the privilege of hosting the IHN families August 23-29.  As a reminder, we need church members and friends to provide meals each night, host(s) to welcome the families upon their arrival and get acquainted with them and 2 members to stay overnight each night.  In the past we have had no trouble getting members to provide meals and to be hosts. 

Our biggest need is for people to stay overnight. If you know how to sleep, you can do this! Just a reminder of what that entails:  

• Being in the annex by 9 p.m. when the doors are locked for the night. 
• Sleeping on a bed which is set up downstairs in one of the Sunday school rooms.  
• Being available in case of any emergency.  
• Leave shortly after 7 am when the families leave for the day.  

Why not find a BUDDY ( a spouse would be just fine) and spend a night in the Education  Annex?

The sign- up sheet is in the church Narthex; or, just call or email Kim in the Church Office. 

We Need YOUR Help To....

Our "Restore the Shore" mission here at PPPC is running a 36-bed Volunteer Village for work teams from all over the country, who give up a week of their time to travel here and help people rebuild their primary homes. Our local volunteers don't often pick up a hammer, but we do pick up a casserole dish or a computer mouse or a clipboard and help make the Volunteer Village experience a rewarding one for all who come to lend a hand.

Our work is in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, who provide us with resources and support and who manage group bookings from their central office. 

We're about to mark the three-year anniversary of the opening of the PPPC Volunteer Village - the largest and busiest PDA facility in the State.  Some volunteers who have been giving their all since the project began are ready to have others step up and take their places. They've done wonderful work, but after 3 years they're more than ready to share the joy of local mission work with others who haven't yet had the experience.

So, what positions are we trying to fill?  Currently, there are five, all of which are vital to the Volunteer Village. They are (with a brief description):

1. Cooking Team Member

Cooking teams are groups of about 6 people who - once every 6 or 8 weeks - work together to cook a welcome meal for each team on their first night. There are open slots on several Cooking Teams. All food expenses are covered by Volunteer Village funds contributed by the visiting work teams. 

2.  Host Site Coordinator

This liaison person communicates with the PDA booking office each week and with leaders of incoming volunteer teams. He or she makes sure the proper paperwork is completed, communicates with the cooking and shopping teams, makes a final check to be sure the Village is ready for the arrival of the next group, and attends monthly Sandy Team meetings.

3.  Construction / Work Coordinator(s) - THIS TASK CAN BE SHARED AMONG SEVERAL PEOPLE 

This person works with partner relief organizations to match the talents of each work team with pre-approved projects that have been identified by the relief organization, and to make sure the proper equipment is on hand. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER yourself in order to do this - actual construction management is handled by our partner agencies. (Of course, being "handy" certainly helps.)

4.   Volunteer Village Statistician

This person maintains records of volunteer numbers, locations where volunteers have worked, and the hours worked. Other duties may include being a back-up Orientation Leader and being the primary contact person for building emergencies.  (These additional duties may be split off and be done by other volunteers.)

This person greets groups upon their arrival, has dinner with them and gives a half-hour orientation talk. This talk (for which we have a detailed outline) involves telling the story of Superstorm Sandy and how it has affected the local area, as well as explaining policies related to their use of the Volunteer Village. In the past, the Sandy Team has provided a modest stipend for the Orientation Leader, and that continues to be a possibility.  

THERE IS MONEY AVAILABLE from Volunteer Village funds to cover expenses related to these positions.  

If you would like to serve your church and help this wonderful and important mission continue - or if you want to find out more - please contact one of the pastors, or Nancy Stout at nlstout@optonline.net.

Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742

Will be hosting

A Sandy Survivor Support Group

Leaders: Pat Greeley (Mental Health Association of NJ)

and Lynn Hahm

Every Wednesday, beginning September 16th from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Contact Pat Greeley 908-872-5096
pgreeley@mhanj.org