Factoids from Elizabeth Breeden
PACEM
In November 108 volunteers from TJMC and 15 volunteers from our partner Ebenezer Baptist church hosted 45 homeless men each night, serving warm meals and providing shelter in Summit House. In February 103 or our volunteers partnered with the Muslim Student Association to shelter and feed 13 homeless women. We provide not only the warmth of caring in a faith based enterprise but also a partnership with other faith groups that creates community in our town.
FOOD PANTRY
On the first Friday of each month about 8 volunteers from a pool of 18 members of our group distribute over 1.5 TONS of food to 60 families or 150 people, using the resources of the Food Bank and the generous donations of our church members. On the day of distribution our clients help us organize the food into family units, an effort of astounding labor and generosity.
SOUP KITCHEN
we’re feeding 60 people every Sunday using 6 teams of 6-8 people and serving at the HAVEN.
REFUGEE PARTNERSHIP
This tiny committee within the church is making an effort to create a community welcome and partnership with the Burmese and Bhutanese refugees. We have hosted an educational session inviting SARA to lead a community conversation and we have hosted two weddings in the Hindu faith tradition. We have a mentoring program for English language as well.
EMOTIONAL WELLNESS MINISTRY
We are planning to lead the church to become welcoming to those who have experienced a mental health crises in their lives. Since statistics tell us this is 1 in 4 of our members, it is a labor of love.
REMEMBRANCE GARDEN
Our Remembrance Garden was created to allow us to remember our loved ones who have died in a garden which is part of our Church and which provides burial space for cremated remains as well. There are 65 members or family members memorialized in our garden and 36 members who have a contract. This Garden allows us to know that we are part of a larger family, living and dead, and that our Church family extends from the past to the future.