Are you in a LIFE Community?
Click here to learn what it's all about: LIFE Communities
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Local: Organized outreach activities of our congregation
There are many organized activities in which Grace Chapel people are busy addressing the needs of others. The needs may be spiritual, emotional, or physical. The people whose needs are being addressed may be in our community, farther away but in our region, or overseas. We may be directly involved in meeting their needs or just trying to facilitate the work of others by encouraging them, praying for them, and maybe visiting them on occasion.
If you are part of the Grace Chapel congregation and are looking for a way to get involved in reaching others, consider participating in one of these activities. Most of them have opportunities for others to join in. In addition, some Life Communities have adopted a Grace Chapel missionary to relate to in a support role. If you are interested in having your Life Community adopt a missionary, please contact the pastor of global outreach, Jeanette Yep, for more information.
ALPHA: A ten-week course on the basics of Christianity taught in a relaxed, fun, and non-threatening environment. At Alpha there are no questions that are too difficult or "off limits." Helpers and hosts are needed for each class. Contact Richard Rhodes.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): Formerly known as ESL (English as a Second Language), this ministry serves internationals in our area who want to develop a better command of the English language. The daytime and evening ESOL programs are staffed entirely by volunteers and teach from 50 to 80 students each semester. The program always needs volunteers to help with administrative duties, hostessing, and food preparation. There is also an ongoing need for teachers, assistants, and substitute teachers. For more information about participating, email us or call 781-862-8351 x2219.
Men’s Prison Ministry: This ministry, known as the Chaplain’s Discussion Group, meets each Monday evening (except for Monday holidays) at MCI-Concord in the main visiting room. It is an approved activity that operates under the auspices of the Director of Treatment and the Protestant Chaplain, Tom Phipps.Each session includes a time of singing, a time of prayer, certificate awards for those who have completed each volume of three Navigator Bible Studies (in English and Spanish), and a lesson with both large group teaching and small-group discussions.Approximately 10 outside volunteers are involved each week, five of whom are from Grace Chapel. Inmate attendance averages in the low 80’s each week. Grace Chapel member Duncan Miller leads the Ministry, assisted by co-leader Bill Sharp.
Nursing Home Ministry: Frequently nursing home residents suffer from loneliness, and extreme feelings of loss including loss of freedom and mobility, loss of health and other bodily faculties and functions.The Nursing Home Visitation Ministry at Grace Chapel, under the leadership of Chaplain Ralph Donohue, provides both group spiritual care and one on one visitation at six different facilities in the greater Lexington area.Group activities, led by both Chaplain Ralph and Edith Gadoury, include Bible studies, worship, communion services, and memorial services.In addition, a team of volunteers provides one on one visitation to residents.
International Student Ministry: This ministry is an outreach to international students and scholars in institutions that include Brandeis University, Bentley College, Tufts University, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern University, and other Boston area schools. Its regular program includes a monthly gathering of 60 to 80 students and volunteers at the home of Roberto and Nora Laver. All the programs aim to engage internationals —both new and repeat attendees—in understanding various facets of American culture through speakers and themes related to experiencing life in another country.Often, this is the only time when many internationals are guests in an American home where they are welcomed—in obedience to the Biblical mandate to receive the strangers at our gate. Many of these students and scholars have returned to their home countries to work in government, education, and industry.Persons interested in participating in this ministry should contact the Lavers. Such persons should have a desire to be friendly towards foreign students and sensitivity to cultural and religious differences. Contact: Nora and Roberto Laver.
Angel Tree (A project of Prison Fellowship): D esigned to reach the innocent victims of crime who are often forgotten—the children of prisoners.Being separated from a parent at Christmas time is a painful experience. Angel Tree touches those children with the love of Christ at Christmas by providing them with special Christmas gifts on behalf of their absent parent.Members of local churches purchase a gift and the prisoner writes a card to be presented along with the gift, assuring the children that Mommy or Daddy misses and loves them. The true gift of Angel Tree is the strengthening of the family bond while the family is apart. Grace Chapel participates in this program every year at Christmas. Yearly, about 1000 gifts are distributed to Angel Tree children in Greater Boston, Lowell and Lawrence. Sarah Cupp coordinates this activity. Visit http://www.angeltree.org
Kingston House Meal Preparation: The meal served at the Mission on Monday evenings to 100-150 people is provided by a Grace Chapel meal preparation team.On Saturdays, using that week’s recipe, six to eight people each prepare a large (11” by 17”) casserole that they take to church on Sunday. These are delivered to the Mission and served on Monday. Approximately 32 cooks each cook once a month. Edith Gadoury (617-924-8068) coordinates this ministry.
Committees and Teams that coordinate our global missions efforts:
The international missions program at Grace Chapel is guided by the pastor of global outreach and the International Missions Advisory Committee (IMAC). The IMAC is made up of six appointed members who serve four-year terms. The committee, chaired by the pastor of global outreach, advises him on matters relating to the strategic emphases of our global missions program and on the selection and support of missionaries and partner agencies. The following informal teams of volunteers support our outreach efforts in their respective parts of the world.
Sub-Saharan Africa Team: This team stays in touch with several missionaries, and oversees our project with partners World Relief and churches in Malawi.(contact: Gary and Beverly Ware)
Moldova Team: This team oversees projects with several partner organizations in Moldova. For the past several years it has been responsible for our participation in the Face of a Child project for the benefit of children in government run orphanages in Moldova. In most years several short term teams go to Moldova. (contact: Larry Anzivino)
Nepal Committee: This team oversees projects with several partner organizations. It also arranges short term trips. (contact: John Ratichek)
|
| |
 |
