An Evening Star - One Client's Perspective from the 'Stable'

"Today is December 23^rd, 2011. For some, it’s just another day; for others it’s a very special time, just two days before we celebrate the birth of Christ. 

Celebrations are taking place all over the world, but I personally felt something like never before. This year, I played the part of Mary in the Mission’s Live Nativity scene. On my second night in the ‘stable’ I was sitting on a bale of hay, holding the baby Jesus and waving at passing cars. The sunset was leaving glorious hues of color across the sky, from dark blue, purple, light purple to a rose color. I had looked away just long enough to wave at a passing car, and when I looked back, the evening star was shining brightly against the brilliant colors!  The bright star had not been visible before.

For a moment in time, I felt transported back to that first Christmas night as I stared in wonder at the appearance of the star. That must have been what it was like for the shepherds. Instead of being afraid or anxious about the star, perhaps they too felt an inner peace as I did. It was as if I was present at that very first Christmas, holding the baby Jesus. 

Just as fast as the feeling came, it left, but the impact of that moment remained with me. The men who were participating in the Live Nativity with me were unaware of what had just taken place. One of them asked me if I was okay. Did I need anything? Was I warm enough? I said that I was fine. I had everything I needed and wanted right there in my arms.

Even though it was just a split-second happening, I will remember that feeling for the rest of my life… until my Father calls me home. If there ever is a chance for me to play Mary again, I will do so willingly, happily, and wholeheartedly."

(Lea Ann is a participant in our New Life Program)

Christmas Volunteering

 Community Assistance Christmas Interviewing  

As we approach the end of the Christmas interviewing process, Lydia Allen, the Community Assistance Administrator, reports that we have interviewed more than 496 clients!  In November, there were 72 salvations and so far in December there have been 29 salvations.  November is looking like it will have been the second busiest month of the year.  

 Current High Priority Volunteer Opportunities  

Presently, several of our Administrative staff are seeking qualified volunteers to assist them with multiple ministry duties. The volunteer positions available are as follows: 

• Christian Life Program Admin Assistant
• Facilities Director Executive Assistant
• High Impact Volunteer Admin Assistant

Please contact James Smith at (816) 329-1469 or email him at james.smith@cityunionmission.org if you would like more information regarding one of the above listed positions. An interested applicant may also apply online at http://www.cityunionmission.org/, then go to the Volunteer Center and complete the High Impact Application.

News From The Farm

Ben, a 2010 CLP graduate, was invited to share his testimony with the participants of 'Drug Court', a court sanctioned drug rehabilitation program in Harrisonville, MO.  He was encouraged to have the opportunity to report how his thinking, his actions and his entire life has been transformed by participating in the Mission’s Christian Life Program.  He was presented with many questions and was excited to see how the Lord gave him the ability to answer each one with clarity because of the journey he has been on.  Ben was never the type of individual to speak in such a public venue, so this was very exciting news for our staff to hear! 

'I expect and hope that I will not fail Christ in anything but that I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in my life here on earth.'
      –Philippians 1:20

Camp CUMCITO Relationship Building Continues through the Winter

The ladies that volunteered as Teen Girls camp staff have committed to stay involved in the lives of these young women.  They interact with them on Facebook and set-up events such as sleep-overs, concerts, Bible studies and other fun activities to be able to stay in touch and touch their lives. 

The new involvement of teen girls has prompted a group of the Teen Boys’ staff to invite the teen boys to camp for a ‘Winter Retreat’ in December.  They plan to stay in the cabins (with warm clothes and sleeping bags) and roast food over camp fires, and participate in archery and riflery.  There are 13 willing staff members currently signed up.  Invitations were sent to all the teen boys last week and 3 have already sent in their registration forms.  Please pray for this new form of outreach, that these dedicated men will impact the lives of these young men.

Plans are under way for the annual Camp Christmas Party, to be held December 3rd.  We will mail out invitations to all our 2011 campers for them and their families.  We usually have about 80-100 campers and family members come by for food, games, crafts and a puppet show.

Harrisonville Christian School Partners with City Union Mission

The Harrisonville Christian School held their annual Pumpkin Bread Sale and annual Food Drive recently and chose that these events would benefit the Mission!

The kids present Dennis Ellis, Church Relations Specialist for City Union Mission, with a check for $235 and a 'trunkload' of food for the Mission.

Thank you for your BIG HEARTS for helping us to take care of "God's Human Sparrows."

Christmas Volunteering at the Mission

We are gearing up for Mission: Christmas and have many volunteer opportunities!  Most positions are during the week between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm.

Beginning Monday, November 28, the Christmas store opens and we need volunteers to sort stocking stuffers, to be shopper assistants and to wrap gifts.  On December 22, we will be delivering gifts to the families who have shopped in our Christmas store.

We also are in need of Office Assistants for the Development Department to handle phone calls and emails during ths busy time; and an Admininstrative Assistant for our Family Center, to help with data entry and phone work.

If you are interested in assisting in any of these areas, please register as a 'CORE' volunteer at the Volunteer Center on our website, www.cityunionmission.org.  If you have specific questions, please contact Tammy Sharp at 816-329-1487.

Thank you!

A look on the ‘inside’ when ministering to hundreds of men daily

In the men’s ministries here at City Union Mission we are blessed with the golden opportunity to discuss the very essence of life with our guests.  Remarkable things happen daily and testimonies come in with men telling of transformations in their lives.

Once men get on with life as a disciple of Christ we then attempt to help them become productive citizens in their chosen churches and places of employment.  The many churches that volunteer to present Christ here at the Mission often receive the men back into their fellowships.  That is about as healthy a transfer as is possible. 

They also need to work their way back into providing for their needs and preparing to help others who can’t help themselves (Ephesians 4:28).  To help with this we have two full time and one part time staff members whose administrative purpose is to lead clients into the working world.  They use the typical tools of resume writing, internet search engines to locate openings, interviewing skills etc., but the real key they provide lies is at a different level. 

They must understand that all of life works out right when Christ is the center of their lives.  If that is right, the world, including their work-world, works out right.  God is God and He is faithful and true.  Second, they must create a real workable job search plan and stick with it.  Third, they must maintain sobriety. 

There are lots of employment tools, but none so potent as applying the Word of Truth which the Holy Spirit will use in their lives. 

(Post submitted by Gary Mountz, Director of Men's Ministries at City Union Mission)

Thank You!

The Mission is appreciative of friends like the Frontier Trails Middle School K-Club who recently held a Toilet Paper Drive to benefit the Misison.  The school collected 673 rolls of toilet paper!

Also, the Junior Youth Group, from Hope Lutheran Church in Shawnee, sponsored a  Food Drive for the Mission collecting 900 pounds of various food items! Pamela Webb, the Jr. Youth Leader, said that the group will also be collecting towels, washcloths and twin size sheets after Christmas to give to the Mission.

We appreciate groups such as these that demonstrate a giving spirit in partnering with the Mission to provide for those that stay at our shelters.  Thank you for having a Heart for the Homeless!

The Irony of the Christian Life Program

The irony of a Christian recovery program is that it exists for men who have been living unmanaged and uncontrolled lives, driven primarily by selfish, destructive choices and addictive behaviors. Within 6 hours of their walking into the Christian Life Center for their 12-14 month long program, they are asked to live unselfishly in Christian community with other men like themselves – 40 to 80 uncontrolled and unmanaged men – treating God and each other according to the biblical commands “Love God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That is irony – an outcome contrary to what you would expect to happen.

Thinking that a man is going to make those radical changes and choices instantly is a real stretch . . . a tall order. But guess what? That is what Jesus calls us to believe . . . that He is capable of bringing about those kinds of miraculous changes and transformations. Jesus may choose to do it instantly, quickly, or over time. Either way, the change is miraculous.

Do rules and self-discipline bring about those changes? Absolutely not. But beneficial rules and self-discipline create an environment of mutual respect where a self-centered man can begin to see how much he resents having to be subject to the control of others. When a man begins to acknowledge he hates the control of others in his life, but also admits neither can he control himself to do the right thing, that puts him in a great place to learn . . . . humbling. And humbling brings grace.

Freedom is not the absence of constraints. A person will always be controlled by somebody. Freedom is the choice to determine who he will allow to control him. Jesus promises He is a good and benevolent King, and that He will come and live in the inner being of the unmanaged man who is seeking self-control . . . inner governing and constraints. Why not choose to let Jesus bring the internal, self-governing that the unmanaged, uncontrolled man has been looking for?

Sometimes it’s fun and adventurous to be a part of something ironic!

(Contributed by Bret Kroh - Assistant Administrator to our Christian Life Program)

Volunteer Opportunities

With the holidays just on the horizon, our need for volunteers increases. Our Family Center is in need of volunteers to help schedule appointments for the Christmas Store, as well as doing some follow-up data entry. These volunteers will need to be available Mon-Fri, 9am - 4pm and beginning November 28th.

Each year we have a Live Nativity that runs the week before Christmas, however, this year the animals are not available. We are in need of individuals to put together the nativity set, as well as volunteers who can donate plywood that will be cut and painted as the animal shapes.

 

We receive donations of many vacuum cleaners through our thrift stores, however often times they are not in good working order.  We are in need of a volunteer who can look these over and make repairs as required.

 

If you can assist with any of these important volunteer opportunities, please contact Tammy at 816-329-1487. Thank you for your care and concern of those we serve!

Community Assistance - Holiday assistance will be available soon!

The Mission's Community Assistance group continues to be busy helping families with clothing, household needs, food, and furniture.  Beginning in  November, Women and families may apply for Thanksgiving food baskets. 

In addition, women and families who are seeking Christmas assistance may pick up an inquiry form for Christmas Store assistance NOW! 

The inquiry forms are available at Community Assistance at the Family Center at 1310 Wabash, during the Community Assistance hours of 1pm to 3pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons.

Christian Life Program News

A few weeks ago, 13 men from our city-side Christian Life Program (CLP) traveled to the Opportunity Farm CLP program near Warsaw, Missouri for a 2-1/2 day retreat with staff and clients from both programs.

The retreat was an opportunity for the men to take a break from their normal routines and to enjoy the beauty of the country setting. There was time for hiking, fishing, games and recreation, team building activities, spiritual encouragement and fellowship.

Program staff led discussions on the topic of God's standards for sexuality, explaining what God expects of a man who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Many of the men expressed appreciation for the chance to talk about this topic in a godly and safe context. Biblical sexuality should always be understood in the context of God's unselfish and unconditional love, a lifestyle that rises far above the portrayal of sexuality by society and the media.

Stories from Family Shelter Staff

There was a young lady who came into our Family Shelter because of a unique situation.  She attends college in Chicago, but was in town visiting family.  While she was here the family member she had come to visit had a death in the family. She came to the our shelter because she had run out of family members she could stay with while waiting to go back to school. She stayed for two weeks then went back to school to finish her education to become a doctor.  Each situation is different and not always what most people expect of those we serve.

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I was reminded this month how important it is to catch a client when they relapse. When a pattern of failure, dysfunction, or addiction has been the rule, it generally is not reversed in just 30 days, so it seems best to not be surprised by failure. Providing the opportunity to feel the weight of the sin is important. However, being willing to not let the client completely shipwreck also is important. "K" is feeling the consequences of heavy sin, but is being offered grace by her parole officer and her mission family as she is paying the price for her behavior. God calls His rescuers to live like the Great Rescuer.
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At times, we ourselves need encouragement. One day I came into work, and I was pretty down. I was struggling with something in my own life that was discouraging me. Later that day I was speaking with one of the clients, and she reminded me of the same verses I had shared with her when she was struggling with a similar problem. I'm glad to see some things I have told to clients is sticking. Not only was she able to recall the encouragement I gave her, but she encouraged me when I was not doing well myself. 

Drivers Needed!

We have an opportunity for a volunteer to drive a City Union Mission van on Wednesdays and Thursdays to pick-up contributions from our donation bins located at area YMCA locations and deliver them to the Second Hand Thrift Store located at 1229 E. 63rd Street, KCMO.  The pick-up routes take approximately four hours to run.

The driving criteria is as follows:

• Driver must be a Christian.
• Driver must be at least 21 years old.
• A copy of the your current driver’s license must be on file in our Business Office.
• The driver must not have more than one moving violation on their driving record during the last three years .
• A background report will be done prior to scheduling.
• Driver must be able to lift 30 lbs.

If you are interested and feel you meet this criteria, please email Lonnie at lonnie.murrow@cityunionmission.org, or call him at (816) 222-5062.

Thank you for your assistance with this need!

Have sewing machine, will travel......

We are looking for volunteer seamstresses. The Men’s Center is in need of night shirts for our clients. The night shirts are handed out each night to men when they come into the shelter. We have a three different ways of making the night shirts; 1) We have patterns and sheets that can be used to cut and sew two simple pieces into night shirts; 2) Hospital gowns have been donated and we need to sew a single seam along the back; and 3) We use donated t-shirts to make long night shirts by cutting part of one shirt and sewing it to the bottom of another. If you would like to sew for the City Union Mission, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 816-329-1487.

Circle of Friends

We are so grateful for our long-term partners from the Northland Circle of Friends for their outstanding partnership with the Mission. For many years they have provided a variety of items, such as quilts, take-home bags/laundry bags and book bags for Camp CUMCITO, as well as nightshirts and welcome bags for our Men's Center. This group has met once a month for approximately 12 years! Thank you for your generous hearts!  We could use more groups like yours!

Do you belong to a church in the Kansas City area? We are looking for churches with a heart for the mission to host a group of people each month as a NEW Circle of Friends like the Northland group.  You can make a difference!  Contact our Church Relations Specialist at (816) 329-1466, to see how!