Come play ball in Woodlawn!

For some time, we have been trying to find the best way to get involved in Woodlawn through the means of sports, and the Lord has recently provided an open door for us! Through some mutual friends, I was recently introduced to a man named Dave Anderson, who has been involved in Woodlawn, East Lake, Gate City, and even Fairfield for some time. More specifically, he has been building relationships with the youth of Woodlawn for nearly the last ten years, through the shared love of sports. The great part is that he has invited us to come alongside him and help with this weekly ministry.

Every Monday night, Dave and a few leaders from his church and the community put on a flag football/basketball night for the kids from the local communities. This takes place from 5:30-7:30 at the Willow Wood Community Center, and involves about an hour of organized play, a Gospel-oriented devotion, drinks and/or snacks, and then more pick-up play. I have been able to help for the past several weeks and think that this is a great opportunity for RCC to help out with and develop relationships with local youth. As we become more involved and consistent in their lives, I believe that the Lord will not only prepare their hearts for the Gospel message, but also the opportunity for deeper discipleship.

If you enjoy sports and/or would like to help with this new opportunity, email dwight@rccbirmingham.org or just come out on Monday. I hope that this will only be the beginning of our sports ministries in Woodlawn, as it is such a relevant activity and easy relationship builder, so if you cannot help on Monday nights, feel free to email me anyways and let me know that you would be interested in further sports ministries.

Interested in getting involved at Cornerstone?

Much to the dismay of every child and the overwhelming relief of every parent, the end of summer is nigh, and the school year has just started back. Regardless of the cries of disbelief or the shouts of joy, this means that our friends at Cornerstone are back in action and as always, there is no shortage of need or the opportunity to help! Here are a few new ways that RCC is already planning to come alongside Cornerstone this year:

-The RCC staff will be doing the speaking at the weekly chapels

-We are helping to provide basic school supplies for each classroom

-We will host regular "workdays" to help with bigger projects

-We have provided possibly our greatest asset in our own Professora Elaine Davis, who is spearheading a new Spanish program

While these means of helping are already being set into action, there are several new ways that you can help this school year:

-Tutor a child- subjects and times are varying/flexible

-Help start a middle school Bible study/discipleship time- we are looking for 2-3 guys and 2- 3 girls to help once a week for students who want to learn and/or grow spiritually

If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities or would like to get involved, comment on here or email dwight@rccbirmingham.org because we need volunteers and this is a wonderful way to invest in the lives of children who desperately need to be loved, shown a good role model, and taught about the Gospel!

Breaking Bread

This past Tuesday night, the Brooks, Sarah Dunn, Dwight and I shared dinner at the family shelter in Woodlawn with around 16 of its residents. Amidst the passing of homemade jambalaya, cornbread muffins, salad and Milo's sweet tea was the steady stream of conversation and laughter. 

Ms. Todd, the house manager who lives and works at the shelter, was sitting to my right. In between incoming calls from people inquiring about the shelter, she shared her life story with me and explained how she came to Woodlawn. I thought about all the faces she has seen come ago and all the stories she has heard, and I hoped that our weekly dinners at the shelter were a great encouragement to her. 

At the next table, Joel spoke with a family of five who had just arrived that day, and I wondered what change in life circumstances had brought them to the shelter's front door.

Sitting in a room full of people who most would consider the down and out, what struck me and humbled me the most is the irony of how alike we all are. Despite the fact these people would put their heads down in a homeless shelter while the rest of us would leave and drive to our respective homes, we are all broken, hurting people in desperate need of a Savior.

In his blessing, Dwight declared Christ as the one who gives all of us purpose on this earth. I've mulled that truth over and over again in my mind this week. Yes, it is Christ who is the great equalizer. He and He alone gives us purpose. Whether we are homeless or pay a mortgage each month, jobless or fully employed, Christ remains as the sole purpose for our existence. And, again I was reminded that it is because of Christ that we serve.

~Laura K. Womble