Caring for God’s People
Care, Share and Serve (CSS) is the overarching committee within TTUMC responsible for the ways in which our faith community serves our church family, our local community, and the world. It is dedicated to serving the needs of the least, the lost and the lonely. The outreach ministries, in turn, report to and receive assistance from CSS for their work.
For more than a decade, on Tuesday each week TTUMC provides a home-cooked dinner for all at Midway Shelter, the local refuge for abused and homeless women and children. Our Youth are the group with the longest record of consecutive participations in the Midway Fun Run, an annual fund-raising event to benefit the Shelter. Currently the CSS committee assists with Volunteers In Misson Trips, requests for donations from Operation S.A.M., organizes Habitat for Humanity Work Days, prays for veterans’ service providers in the Prayer Ministry for Veterans and delivers Communion to the Homebound. The Committee look forward to the formulation of Stephen Ministry at TTUMC and to the training of members of the congregation to become Stephen’s ministers. We are participating in an ecumenical project with several churches and Temple Israel to provide “Welcome Baskets” for the new residents of Alameda Point Collaborative. In March, TTUMC will honor the service of active duty and retired women veterans as part of History of Women in the Military Week. As part of our effort to be a welcoming church for veterans, we provide information about available services for veterans and their families information about available services for veterans and their families on our website. In the months to come we will expand the list of services to include volunteer opportunities to support the military and their families.
For more than a decade, on Tuesday each week TTUMC provides a home-cooked dinner for all at Midway Shelter, the local refuge for abused and homeless women and children. Our Youth are the group with the longest record of consecutive participations in the Midway Fun Run, an annual fund-raising event to benefit the Shelter. Currently the CSS committee assists with Volunteers In Misson Trips, requests for donations from Operation S.A.M., organizes Habitat for Humanity Work Days, prays for veterans’ service providers in the Prayer Ministry for Veterans and delivers Communion to the Homebound. The Committee look forward to the formulation of Stephen Ministry at TTUMC and to the training of members of the congregation to become Stephen’s ministers. We are participating in an ecumenical project with several churches and Temple Israel to provide “Welcome Baskets” for the new residents of Alameda Point Collaborative. In March, TTUMC will honor the service of active duty and retired women veterans as part of History of Women in the Military Week. As part of our effort to be a welcoming church for veterans, we provide information about available services for veterans and their families information about available services for veterans and their families on our website. In the months to come we will expand the list of services to include volunteer opportunities to support the military and their families.
Stephen Ministry at TTUMC
“Love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34
“Stephen Ministry” is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian, one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in a congregation and the wider community. This program was first conceived in 1975 by a pastor in St. Louis who established a training program to equip lay people in his church to partner with him in caring for members of the congregations and persons in the wider community. Other churches asked his help in designing such a program for them. Soon the idea caught on and today more than 10,000 churches across the country have instituted the Stephen Ministry to enhance their own ministries. For a more detailed introduction to the development of the Stephen Ministry see
http://www.stephenministries.org
Two months ago TTUMC Church Council gave the OK to enrol this church in the Stephen Ministry program with local leadership for this program from Rev. Hubert Ivery and Steven Garner. In February, 2009 these leaders will attend a week-long Stephen Ministry Leader training conference in Portland, OR. On their return they will immediately begin to prayerfully recruit and then train Stephen Ministers.Stephen Ministers are committed Christians who:
- express God’s care through their lives to others;
- receive 50 hours of training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
- are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their training;
- visit another person regularly and offer Christian support and care;
- participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of the Stephen Leaders;
- are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
- serve for at least 2 years and
- receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.
Pray for our Stephen Leaders: Rev. Hubert Ivery and Steven Garner as they prepare.
Listen for God’s possibly leading you to become a Stephen Minister.
Make a contribution to this program to secure its on-going ministry.
Watch "this space" and The Towers newsletter for future articles on Stephen Ministry.
We praise God for Stephen Ministry and the role it will soon play in giving strength to the TTUMC ministry.
We're Here for You - our care for Veterans, Active Duty and Their Families
Persons from TTUMC are actively involved in prayer and ministry to support veterans, active duty military service personnel and their families. We're gradually developing an ever wider circle of contacts within non-profit and governmental agencies.Where Help Can Be Found: Local Agencies and Non-profits
Alameda County Veterans Service OfficeContact: Michael Ennis (510) 577-3547 or via E-Mail: mennis@acgov.org
The Alameda County Veterans Service Office (VSO) operates in the Alameda County Social Services Agency, Department of Adult and Aging Services, under the direction of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. The VSO serves all of Alameda County. View their website by clicking on the following link: www.alamedacounty.veterans_services
If Michael Ennis is unavailable you may go to the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Inc. site www.cacvso.org to obtain a detailed list of offices in the 56 counties of California. This office provides information on federal and state veterans' benefits and help veterans or their dependents complete applications forms for benefits. These benefits include outpatient, extended and ambulatory health care, compensation, pension, insurance, education assistance, vocational rehab, home purchase assistance and burial allowance.
Swords to PlowsharesFounded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to more than 1500 homeless and low-income veterans annually in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. They are also able to assist OIF/OEF veterans (active duty after 9/11/01). Find help at www.swords-to-plowshares.org
California Statewide CollaborativeContact: Mary Ellen Salzano (408)779-6916 or (408) 489-0911 cell or via E-mail maryellen_salzano@yahoo.com.
"The purpose of the California Statewide Collaborative ("CASC" or "Collaborative") is to be a strong voice advocating for a wholistic, compassionate continuum of services, treatment and care for our service members, veterans and their families. It provides a forum to share information and education, raise awareness, and promote strategic partnerships that will streamline and improve access to health and human services." The link to this group's directory of non-profits and federal, state and local agencies providing direct services and support to veterans and their families can be explored by clicking www.rebuildhope.org
You can get a directory of Support Providers from the Collaborative's website, click here to download a copy of the directory. This is an invaluable resource for service providers and for those seeking assistance with a variety of issues.
Coming Home ProjectThe Coming Home Project is a non-profit organization devoted to providing compassionate care, support and stress management tools for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. We are a group of veterans, psychotherapists and interfaith leaders committed to helping transform the wounds of war. We help veterans and family members rebuild the connectivity of mind, heart, body and spirit that combat trauma can unravel; renew their relationships with loved ones; and create new support networks. We build a safe space - a community for veterans and their families to come together and share their stories, struggles and accomplishments. Single veterans are also most welcome. You can find the Coming Home Project at www.cominghomeproject.net
Where Help Can Be Found: State Agencies
California Department of Veterans AffairsIts mission is to Serve California's Veterans and their Families. More specifically, to provide California veterans and their families with aid and assistance in presenting their claims for veterans' benefits under the laws of the United States; to provide them with beneficial opportunities through direct low-cost loans to acquire farms and homes; and to provide the state's aged or disabled veterans with rehabilitative, residential, and medical care and services in a home-like environment at the California. Visit the website at www.cdva.ca.gov
Veterans HomesThe link is www.vethomesfoundation.org.
Where Help Can Be Found: National Resources
National Resource Directory for Servicemembers and VeteransThe National Resource Directory is a web-based “yellow book” for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families and those who support them is now available through the following link: www.nationalresourcedirectory.org.
The Directory, developed by the US departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs provides more than 10,000 services and resources available through governmental and non-governmental organizations to support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
Military One SourceThis is a one stop shop of educational resources, consultations, and referrals including child care and counseling for active-duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status), and their families. They are in the process of revamping their website but you can find them at www.militaryonesource.com or at 1-800-342-9647.
