Get dirty for Jesus in Nashville!
Part of the Disciples tradition in recent decades is for General Assembly participants to give back to the host community. In Nashville, where massive floods damaged the city just one year from the time they would host the 2011 General Assembly, that gift already has started.
Week of Compassion and Disciples Volunteering are helping the city recover from last year’s flooding now and will host work groups from late May through early August, said Josh Baird, director of Disciples Volunteering.
Plans include taking three or four flood-damaged homes through the whole rebuilding and repair process. Work on these homes will likely continue during General Assembly, he said.
But the range of projects will be much broader during the General Assembly and Pre-Assembly hands-on mission events, in order to accommodate hundreds of Disciples with different sets of skills, and to provide age-appropriate opportunities.
One project that everyone can participate in is to bring a new book for children in preschool through fourth grades. These books will be shared with the children at the Martha O’Bryan Center, a faith-based family resource center that empowers children, youth, and adults in poverty to transform their lives through work, education, employment and fellowship.
When the books are delivered, Disciples will take the time to read to the children. Then, each child will also get to pick out a brand new book that they can call their own.
For ideas on age appropriate books, check out this list from the Nashville Library. Come by the Local Missions Booth for book-drop locations around the Nashville Convention Center.
Join us at the Threads of Hope Knitting Area during General Assembly in Nashville! Yarn, needles, and patterns for chemo caps and baby caps will be provided. Relax in a rocking chair and make something special that will make a difference in someone else’s life. Finished products will be donated to area hospitals.
There will also be a Blood Drive. Please stop by the Local Missions booth for further information.
For information including work details, housing options, registration forms and deadlines, contact Brenda Tyler (btyler@dhm.disciples.org) at Disciples Home Missions at (888) 346-2631 (toll free).
On the web, visit www.gd4jc.org or look for updates on the Disciples Volunteering Facebook page.