Beautiful Bridges of Hope

Bridges of Hope is a special evening, a night where people connect with each. Some come to volunteer their time and profession, others come to speak with those volunteers. In all, a great atmosphere surrounds over 50 poeple seeking to care or be cared about.

From my initial tally, we had 29 people (not counting volunteers).

I saw many relationships being forged and heard many say how comfortable they felt. I noticed how long people lingered - some came at 6:30p.m. and stayed all evening!

One family was struggling with a very familiar problem to many- the amount of money coming in was less than the current bills going out. Married for forty years, the husband lamented over the reality that, if he divorced his wife and lived with her, he may be able to obtain more benefits. The couple spent the evening brainstorming with two wonderful volunteers (foreclosure specailists) ideas on how to live.

We had six people return from previous Bridges nights and a number of new volunteers. Great!Special thanks to Fellowship for the hospitality; and to Rick Hartman for the voluminous hours of service. Our next Bridges is scheduled for June.

What a Year!

What a year 2008 has already been! Depending upon your sources of information, the USA is either poised for greatness, or we're heading for another Great Depression. I know our efforts have little effect on the direction of a nation, but our small "drops in the ocean" of caring can have tremendous effects on the people in our community. The already have!

Your Faith Community Service Fund has been quietly serving people week in and week out since our beginning in 2005. With a little budget, a lot of volunteers, a little faith and a lot of connections, I've seen the impact a little love can have.

Did you know Faith Community Service Fund and Bridges of Hope have over 75 active volunteers? In estimating the value our volunteers have shared with the community, in one year, based upon a salary of $18.46 per hour, our Bridges of Hope volunteers have given $49,842 in quality time. Add to this the over 1100 hours of FCSF volunteeers ($20,306), and the total is $70,148 of quality time to families!

One drop of water, added to other drops, makes a big difference. Read some of the stories of people we've served. Get involved! We cannot change the course of a nation but we can sure start a river of compassion, flowing over the hearts of people. And we need you.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for….”

We’ve all heard someone say something like this. You fill in the blank– who was it for you? You can be that person for someone else.

“Wait a minute. I could never do that, I don’t know where to begin…”
Yes you can!!! God has given you abilities, Windows to Weld will help you unlock those abilities and connect you with people who need you.

Simply by being yourself, you can be the difference in someone else’s life. Windows to Weld is here to develop, support, and connect you to community families by providing you with the tools and experience you will need. Don’t miss the next training session on March 4th. Attending the training doesn’t commit you to become a mentor but you will discover how easy it is to make a difference in someone’s life through mentoring.

Mentor Training Session
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008
6pm - 9pm (dinner is provided)
Cost- 3 hours of your time
Benefit- One free meal and a lifetime of opportunity

Bethel Baptist Church - Hospitality House
(Just to the west of the church sanctuary)
2307 17th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631

Reserve your spot by calling:
Faith Community Service Fund at 405-2533 or Family Resource Center at 353-0320.

Faith Partnership Council Forming

I want you to know about an important committee that is forming for the benefit of Weld County residents.
The Weld Faith Partnership Council is seeking faith-group servant leaders to help the county continue to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
If you have been in any faith service in our community, you understand the delicate nature of "church-state" relationships. This is a committee
which you can serve upon to be a positive voice for developing confidence and trust between faith groups, government employees, the County Commissioners, and residents of Weld County, while serving to address the issues facing the residents of our County. Servant hearts are needed: prayerfully consider applying.

Blessings,
Dale
Faith Community Service Fund
______________________________________________________


For immediate release - 1/17/08

The Weld County Commissioners are seeking Weld County residents
interested in volunteering to serve on the Faith Partnership Council.

The Faith Partnership Council advises the commissioners on strategic
recommendations from a faith-based and community-based perspective
regarding issues of concern in Weld County. Quarterly meetings are
conducted, and the time commitment is twelve hours annually. Leaders of
faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply.


For further information or an application, please contact Vicky Sprague
at 970-336-7204 or vsprague@co.weld.co.us. Applications are also
available at www.co.weld.co.us. Applications will be accepted through
February 8, 2008.


Vicky Sprague, Office Manager
Board of Weld County Commissioners
915 10th Street, 3rd Floor
P. O. Box 758
Greeley CO 80632
Telephone: 970-336-7204
Fax: 970-352-0242
vsprague@co.weld.co.us

Prayer Center Flooded

Greeley's 24 hour prayer center flooded in December, according to Karen Gross, Director.

"It will take awhile to restore everything. The insurance company was coming to assess the damages, so I hope we come out on the winning end of this," said Karen.

For more information, share prayers, send an e-mail: pray.24.greeley@gmail.com

Bridges of Hope Coming February 12th

The next Bridges of Hope is Tuesday, February 12, 6:30pm-8:00pm at Fellowship Church.

For more information, send us an e-mail, or reply to this post.

Servant’s Report, Year of 2007

• Number of Families Served: 188
• Birth Certificates/IDs: 32
• Volunteer Hours: 1,198
• Number of Volunteers: 38
• Energy Kits Given: 98
• Funds Distributed: $49,084.12
• Churches/Agencies: 43