Official Move-In Day

After chapel at Cornerstone this morning, I spent a while helping our friends from the shelter move into the new building! It was such an exciting time for them and they are thrilled about their first day in such a nice facility! Here are some pictures of the move-in and the new building:

the new dining room!!

Lonnie, proudly in her new room

Change is in the air!

Yesterday afternoon, Joel and I had the privilege of attending the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the brand new family homeless shelter building! Though they only moved about a block away from their old (and I mean old) building of the last 20 years, they may as well be in an entirely new location, for no expense was spared in this $9 million project. The shelter is run by the YWCA and after multiple generous contributions, a full-on fundraiser, and government funding, everyone involved in this process was finally able to see all that they have been working towards!

As I stood among a hundred influential people who had worked so hard and invested so much to make this dream a reality, I wondered about the significance of my role, of our church's role. I wondered if what we were doing really mattered or made any difference. I wondered if there was any clear fruit that we could point to and see how the Lord was using us. Right then, I heard someone yell my name and turned around to see Felicia, one of the residents at the shelter, coming my way. With a big smile on her face, she exclaimed how glad she was to see someone she knew, and then proceeded to simply stand with me, off to the side. Over the next few minutes, several other residents, house managers, and even a former resident from many months ago sought us out and seemed to take comfort in our presence and simple conversation. I realized in that moment that I had all of the evidence I needed of how the Lord has been using Redeemer in the community. While there are certainly many vital roles in caring for our neighbors, the Lord seemed to reiterate and encourage the role that he has currently given us, and how he alone deserves glory for it!

Last night, several RCC folks shared the last Tuesday night meal ever to be had in the old shelter building, and the feeling of excitement for what's to come is undeniable. In fact, next Tuesday is the actual move-in day for the residents, and we have the distinct privilege of sharing their first meal with them in their new home! I am so excited to see how the Lord is going to deepen and expand our involvement and relationships through this new facility.

If you have any extra time on your hands Saturday morning (9-11) or especially Sunday afternoon (1pm- until) and would like to help move stuff to the new shelter, email Dwight (dwight@rccbirmingham.org).

Missions

This past week was our quarterly missions team meeting. We had special guests, via the internet. Harold Andrews and his family shared with us about their time on the mission field here in the U.S. The amazing part is that they reach muslims throughout the middle east through a simple radio program. I was encouraged to focus my heart on missions here at home, with less dependance on those overseas, counting myself worthy to share the gospel. Every opportunity throughout the day to share the gospel is often dismissed because I loose sight of "missions", the Great Commission.."go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation." {Mark 16:15} Be encouraged as I was, hearing the testimony and continued good work for the kingdom by our missionaries. Pray for them and lets help one another turn our hearts to Christ and His mission field in our lives. (you can find a complete list of our missionaries here.) Amanda Blake

Saturday morning bball/football

Every Saturday morning in Fairfield, a couple of Restoration Academy guys on faculty organize some pick-up basketball (in the spring/summer) or flag football (fall/winter) for youth from the area. We have been playing basketball at Restoration Academy's gym for the last several months and consistently have anywhere from 12-30 guys from the neighborhood and school make an appearance to showcase their talents and to get in some good games.

This Saturday, we are beginning the initial switch over to flag football, which will be played in the park in the center of Fairfield, right next to the school. We start around 9am and it last for around 2 hours, but you are free to come and go whenever your schedule requires, so if you enjoy playing and hanging out with some kids in need of good role models, then please show up! You don't have to be great at the sport, just willing to get schooled. If you want more info or are interested in coming, call Ben Sciacca (the principal who heads it up)-205-215-5212 or me (336-831-4489). Spread the word to anyone who may be interested and hope you take up the challenge to invest in these kids' lives (and to avoid getting taken to the house)!

Very belated Woodlawn Summer Festival Pics

I know you all have been waiting anxiously on the edge of your seats for this very moment, so wait no longer-it is here! Although the Woodlawn Summer Festival took place over a month ago, I have just gotten my hands on some of the pictures. The morning started with a workday at Cornerstone Christian School, which consisted primarily of painting two bathrooms and a hall, building a dividing wall between two classrooms, and preparing Elaine Davis's classroom.

Then, we moved out to the front of Woodlawn High School, where non-stop balloon animals and face-painting ensued. There were all kinds of games, activities, and food for the opening of the Dream Center across the street.

All in all it was a great day, so thank you so much to all who were able to come help! If you want to see more pictures from this day, click here.

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

Woodlawn Summer Festival

Join us on

Saturday, July 18^th

for a

Woodlawn

Summer Festival

located on 1^st Ave N and 57^th St N

9am-12am: RCC work projects at

Cornerstone Christian School

135 54th Street North Birmingham, AL 35212

12-4:00pm: Festival activities including:

free lunch, art walk, games, prizes, music,

professional advice and DIY help,

yard/clothes sale, and more!

-RCC needs volunteers to help with balloon

animals and face painting in the

front yard of Woodlawn High School!

Email (dwight@rccbirmingham.org) if you want to help

Fear and Mercy

I have recently been working my way through a book by Tim Keller called Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road. Actually, I started the book quite a while ago and after a bit of a lapse, have just picked it back up and am really digging into it. The book is based on the "Good Samaritan" passage in Luke 10:25-37 and is a fantastic discussion of what the Bible says about a believer's role in helping the needy, poor, and "least of these". Keller addresses all of the very tough questions and circumstances that are common to "ministries of mercy", including how we balance our responsibility to help those in need with their level of responsibility for their own circumstances. Having read many books on this issue, I feel that this one (at least through the 1st half that I have read) really looks at the heart of the issue, allowing the wisdom of Scripture to shed light on what is often a very difficult mandate for believers to both understand and to obey.

As I was reading in Chapter 8 today, I was reminded of the one of the greatest hindrances to reaching out to those in need: fear. While some of us can immediately identify the presence of fear in our hearts, others are far less aware that this is what cripples us from action. I truly believe that behind all of our excuses and busy schedules and reservations and dormant intentions lies fear. We all have asked the questions: How do I know that what I am doing will actually make any difference? Will this guy go spend this money on alcohol or drugs? Is it even safe for me to go in that area? How am I supposed to give to others when I barely have enough money for myself? What do I really have to offer these people?

Even when we are aware of our responsibility and do see the great needs around us and do desire to help, we often ourselves doing nothing, because we are paralyzed with fear. Why is this? Keller points out that two of the biggest hindrances to action are that we don't know how to make contact (we are afraid of breaking the ice) and we don't think we have the resources to help (we are afraid of failure). As I reflected on these two statements, I realized the truth in them, and how these very fears so often keep me from fruitful, joyful obedience. And yet how silly these fears look in light of how much greater our God is! Even when we feel totally inadequate to respond, it is in our weakness that His Great Power is made perfect! Next time you see someone in need and you feel the Spirit prompt your heart to respond, take a moment and ask the Lord to reveal your own heart to you. See what the real fear is behind your hesitation, and ask the Lord to help you overcome this fear. He is faithful to supply all of our needs, to enable us to do what he calls us to, and to do more than we can even ask or imagine!