Service Ministry
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the service ministry is to reach out to others. We are directed in scripture to serve.
Matthew 25:35-36, 40 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Alex Davenport, Chairperson
Mission Work Team
Mission Trips
In 2012, The mission team sent 8 youth and 7 adult volunteers to serve for a week in Harlan, Kentucky. The team helped with a variety of home repair projects including roofing, plumbing and deck building. Four volunteers worked at a day center providing art classes for the mentally ill patients. We are planning a return trip to Harlan, Ky - June 10-15, 2013.
To raise funds for outreach work projects and trips, the mission team holds two fundraisers per year – the February Dinner and Silent Auction, the September Rummage Sale.
Habitat for Humanity Faith Build
RLC is a sponsor church for Habitat for Humanity’s Faith Build in Warren County. The volunteer-driven organization welcomes people from all walks of life to join together to build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with God and families in need. Volunteers experience for themselves the joy created when a family is able to realize their dream of home ownership.
RLC mission fund donates $500 to each project it helps to build. Dozens of mission team volunteers work on the house with the partner family to bring it to completion.
First English Lutheran Church Community Meals, Over-the-Rhine
Members of the mission team serve at the monthly community meal at First Lutheran Church in Over-the-Rhine. The meal is held on the last monday of every month. The next meal is Jan. 27, 2013 at noon.
Helping Hands
The Mission team offers home repairs to the congregation members through the Helping Hands ministry. Adults and youth helping hands work side-by-side to complete the repairs. As an offering for the work, members may make a donation for mission outreach. As an example of another helping hands project, the adults volunteers and junior high school teamed up to complete a service project at First English Lutheran Church in Over-the-Rhine. Ten youth and eight adults worked together to paint the social hall in the church basement and the hallway and stairwell.
Contact: Kristin Davenport, Mission Team Coordinator
Food Pantry
Lebanon Food Pantry is supported by RLC through volunteer service, food and monetary donations. The food pantry serves thousands of families from the Lebanon School District each year.
Served in 2011 were 5598 families including 11,193 adults, 7,600, children and 870 folks over 60. That is an increase of 725 families over 2010. What is more, United Way cut $6000 from the allotment for the Food Pantry for 2012.
Please consider making a donation of money, food and other non perishable item, or give your time by working at the Food Pantry any Friday morning.
Contact: Beverly Kinney
IHN
IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) is the interfaith community in action, helping homeless families in the area achieve sustainable independence. Resurrection is a host church for the Warren County program. The congregation provides meals, fellowship and overnight accommodations for a week-long stay.
More than 30 volunteers are needed each time IHN families are staying at the church.
IHN was hosted at RLC 4 weeks in 2011 - in January, May, July and October. RLC served 21 families, 25 parents and 40 children. In January of 2012, RLC hosted IHN for 2 consecutive weeks. Five families were hosted as our guests in the Sunday School wing. IHN families will return to RLC in 2013 on Sunday, Jan. 20.
Contacts: Jennifer Keezer, Connie Shoop and Diane Gutmann
Quilters and school kits
Quilts
Members of RLC gather on Tuesday mornings to sew quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Each year more than 150 quilts are made and donated.
School Kits
Each year RLC members donate money to buy school supplies and the Quilters make school bags to hold the supplies. In 2011, 36 school kits were donated to Lutheran World Relief.
Soap
Each year RLC members donate money and soap to be donated to Lutheran World Relief. In 2011, 150 bars of soap were given to Lutheran World Relief. This outreach is also organized by the Quilters group.
Contact: Sharon Huntley
Jan Laird Memorial Blood Drive
Twice each year, RLC sponsors a community blood drive in memory of Jan Laird. Jan was a member of RLC. The Community Blood Center of Dayton, OH is the organizer for the blood drives. See more about CBC at http://givingblood.org/. The next opportunity to donate is Aug. 12, 2013.
In 2011, blood drives were held in July and December. 66 donors from RLC and the community donated 45 units of blood.
Contact: Beverly Kinney
Christmas Baskets
During each Christmas season, the Lebanon community supports low-income families by providing Christmas dinner food baskets. In 2012, twenty-five food baskets were donated by the members of RLC. The senior and junior high school youth and their parents assembled and delivered the baskets.
Contact: Gwynne Rohrs