Community Involvement at Westwood

Winter 2009

Jesus said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen . . . And at

his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed 

to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table.” 

Responding to the "Needs at our Gate"
Through Community Involvement and Outreach This Fall

           Members of Westwood have been active in responding to those at "our gate" by building trust, meeting needs, and "staying with" individuals, children, and families who are most vulnerable at our gate. As the whole world felt the sting of a recession economy, Westwood reached down deep and graciously provided school supplies and backpacks to Elementary-age children (grades K-6^th) for the Springfield Garden Apartment Back-to-School-Event. Westwood Baptist handed out over 75 backpacks filled with school supplies and assisted with lunch and goodies; balloons & face painting; a moon bounce; and above all, the presence of Christ to families in our community. We also assisted with backpacks and school supplies at the Free Physicals for the Uninsured and to local elementary schools in our area.

            The Westwood Food Pantry continues to reach out to an increasing number of families each week providing much needed emergency food items. Through volunteers serving Monday through Thursday families are able to put food on the table, many holding several jobs. We could not provide this ministry to those who come to us in need without members supplying food to the Food Pantry. In November, the Food Pantry also received a special gift of $100 in honor of Brendan Peter on his birthday given by his father. A great big thank you to Lucinda Marvin, our ministry staff, and the members of Westwood who supply the food and helping hands for this important ministry!

            Westwood Women on a Mission have left no stone un-turned this Fall to be sure. Judi Kern and Joy Earner are the mission catalysts for a wide range of outreach ministries. Over 100 Layette kits were given to those in need at Fairfax Hospital, Persian World Outreach, Springfield Garden Apartments, CBF Missionaries in Fredericksburg, and to Healthy Families. Forty-five Christmas Stockings stuffed with Good News and delightful treats were made and given to Youth at risk in the Springfield area. Birthing kits for Haiti are in the making and numerous hands on mission projects will offer members of Westwood a variety of ways to minister to those at our gate in 2010.

            And Westwood members keep on giving. Once again Operation Christmas Child (OCC) through Samaritan’s Purse brought members of all ages working together with one hope:  to share God's love to a child with a simple gift. Over 135 shoe boxes were boxed and collected this year, surpassing last year's total. Our Elementary-age kids delivered boxes to a collection center as a mission project on Wednesday, and then turned around and packed 45 boxes-items supplied by Hope Class-on Sunday morning during Fun Day School. They also stuffed 125 bags filled with the Christmas Story books, candy, and gifts. These bags were handed out to children at the Springfield Garden Apartment Christmas party.

            We pray for missionaries. We also take offerings to assist CBF and other missionary endeavors. But hearing the testimony from a missionary, face-to-face, drives home the heart of our Global missions efforts:  "I couldn't do this. I couldn't be free to do what God calls me to do if it were not for you supporting CBF through the Global Missions offering," said our CBF Missionary to Arab Speaking Americans.  N. spoke to Westwood on December 9^th and her words remain with me. We support through prayer and through financial means so that others can "Go tell it on the Mountains" and everywhere else that God is sending those who will step out in faith in places all around the world. To date, Westwood's 2009 Global Missions Christmas Offering is over $17, 674. THANK YOU for your partnership in the Gospel!

            Again Westwood stepped out into the community and was the Presence of Christ to those who struggle daily to make ends meet. The Springfield Garden Apartments Christmas Party was once again a joy-full time in which community partners joined in to make the three-room space at the Resource Center a place of celebration. Police and Fire officials; social workers and community helpers; Westwood volunteers and over 400 residents helped make this Christmas Party the largest yet. Many thanks to Westwood members who helped serve, hand out presents, assist with crafts, take pictures, serve as Santa's helpers, and yes, minister to some very excited children as "Santa" this year. A very special thank you to our youngest missioners:  Berkley McKenzie, Jacob Peter, Somerset Peede, Sierra Guthrie, and Amber Guthrie!

            Responding to those at "our gate" means responding to those most vulnerable and at risk. This year's Advent Tree: A Ray of Hope served over 126 individuals--primarily children---in the immediate Springfield area. Community partners and social workers provided names of children and families who were in need this Christmas season. As you could see from your Tag, many parents asked for warm coats or clothes for their children as well as food. Thank you so much, Westwood, for opening your hearts and hands to relieve the suffering of those most vulnerable in our community.

               One of the most beautiful miracles this year was the miracle before and after the snow storm. While nature dumped over 18 inches of snow in our area and Sunday church was cancelled Dec. 20th—the day when all the presents for SFRC were due at church—you all went above and beyond the call. Every single present was delivered on time (that is, by Tuesday)—it was a first in the 6 years we have been doing the Advent Tree. And thank you Jim, Marty, and Pam for your help in picking up and delivering these presents to Elisa at SFRC! 

            Children at Crestwood Elementary School received a special treat from Westwood on December 16^th at the Gingerbread Man Party. Sixteen four-year-olds sat in a circle while Principal Mary Persons read the book. After the reading, folks from Westwood handed each child a copy of their own Gingerbread Man book. How elated they were to have their very own copy to take home with them. I was told by Mrs. King that one boy last year carried the book in his backpack every day last year! A round of singing led by Pastor Jim was a special treat as were the gingerbread cookies and juice. What a blessing to see their smiles and to count butterflies.

            The end-of the-year re-cap could not be complete without Westwood's continued support of the Hypothermia Prevention Program. The week of January 24-30, Westwood will step out and join St. John's Episcopal Church by providing warm meals and sleeping shelter from the winter cold. Collection Sunday will be January 17^th. While not all can physically be at the shelter January 28-30^th, already various groups are helping behind the scenes!  Our Pre-School children are making scarves; Fun Day School (Elementary-age) will be assisting with sack lunches; Wednesday Night 1^st -6^th graders will decorate cookies; Hope Class will help provide needed supplies; and the list goes on! Consider how you can help in this ministry and contact Martha Lee Fugate or Lucinda Marvin.

            Though 2010 shows little sign of an economic recovery, Westwood Baptist shows all the signs of a gracious and caring community willing-and shall I say "eager"-to show the love of God in word and in deed. May we all continue to have ears to hear, eyes to see, hearts to share, and hands to reach out to all who are at "our gates" for the sake of the Gospel and to the glory of God. Amen. 

nancy.hollomon-peede@westwood-baptist.org

 

• Adopt-A-People: All the steps have been completed and the voting has been tallied. Westwood has chosen the Persian Speakers Worldwide to adopt. 

·         We will now covenant to pray for, advocate for, give to, and perhaps even directly witness to this Unreached People Group.
Please be in prayer for our CBF missionaries as they minister and reach out to Persian speakers in our community and worldwide. You may email them with prayers and words of encouragement at: pwo@worldmail.org. For more information on Persian Speakers and Persian World Outreach go to:Persian World Outreach

• Westwood Food Pantry The Westwood food pantry will be collecting goods on the first Sunday (Communion Sunday) of every month. On each Communion Sunday, the Westwood Food Pantry tub will be in the narthex to the right as you enter the sanctuary. We need children, youth, and adults to help us keep up with this important need in our community.