Faith Community CARES and shares
If you go
Who: Faith Community Church CARES Ministry
What: Pregnancy Helpline Baby Shower truck collection
When: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sunday.
Where: Church parking lot, 2931 Lucerne Drive, Janesville.
JANESVILLE — If it seems as though more charities and ministries are helping people in need, it's because there are.
Some local charities have been around for decades. Others are new, such as the Faith Community Church CARES Ministry.
CARES stands for: Compassionate Acts of service, Reaching out, Encouraging others, Serving.
It took shape after Senior Pastor Jeff Williams delivered a month-long sermon series on life after the closing of the General Motors plant, its impact on the community and how church members need to reach out, said Laura Bergeron, CARES coordinator.
"I started the CARES ministry to enable our church to be more strategic in fulfilling Christ's command to help the poor and needy,'' he said.
The CARE center is open during church hours weekdays and from 8 a.m. to noon Sundays. It is housed inside the main entrance of the east-side church as a reminder to everyone who enters "to do more to serve our community and our Lord," Williams said.
The concept works.
The center is filled with baby items to help this month's featured ministry—Pregnancy Helpline. Diaper bags are stacked on infant seats and pushed together with strollers, walkers, baby clothes, bottles and food.
"I have to empty it out several times a week,'' Bergeron said.
In addition to conducting a month-long "baby shower" for the Pregnancy Helpline, CARES Ministry will have a truck in its church parking lot Sunday morning to collect larger items such as cribs, highchairs, car seats and changing tables.
"We are asking for everyone to let their friends and neighbors know and for those whose rummage sale items did not sell to consider donating them to the helpline this month,'' Bergeron said.
CARES Ministry highlights a different agency each month. Parishioners and others can donate items, volunteer or make cash donations.
"We partner with other groups rather than start our own so we can feed into their ministry to come alongside and support them," Williams said.
"This is not seasonal, but year-round and not something we engage in only during the holidays, but a way of life for our church. In these tough economic times, we all have to work together, and by working together we will make an impact."
May 18, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.
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I live in the neighborhood of Faith Community Church and I must say they are a good neighbor to have. I am pleased to hear that they are involved in the larger community as well.
May 18, 2009 at 1:08 p.m.
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I think this is really great! I really like how the church is willing to support ministries that already have good distribution systems in place. Why reinvent the wheel? A great demonstration of entire family of God working together, and meeting needs.
May 17, 2009 at 9:10 p.m.
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What a blessing to see people giving selflessly to those who need it! In our current economic situation, it is encouraging to hear that people are willing to be more generous when possible.
May 17, 2009 at 7:57 a.m.
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Good things are happening at Faith Community Church!
May 17, 2009 at 6:38 a.m.
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A friend invited me to attend Faith Communiy church 8 years ago after my father passed away. I was having a dificult time dealing with his death and she said Pastor Jeff was awesome and maybe I'd find some answers. She was right, I've been attendng ever since. When you hear Pastor Jeff's message, you feel like he's talking directly to you and encouraging us to be kind, forgiving, and help others. I know how Faith Community Church has changed my heart and had my friend not invited me, I don't know where I'd be today.
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