Unity Works Spring Training 2010

The goal of Unity Works is to help congregations and individuals understand challenges faced by those trapped in poverty, particularly those who are homeless or at-risk for becoming homeless.

During this six-week series of workshops, participants will become more familiar with how the faith community can help prevent homelessness by working in partnership with faith-based and community organizations.  In addition, participants will discover their unique call and the assets within their own communities that can help to address some of the unmet needs in our city.

Through careful study, experienced facilitators, guidance from formerly homeless individuals, and opportunities to develop transformational new friendships, participants will discover that unity really does work.

Date: Every Thursday from March 4th – April 15th
Time:  6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: River Road United Methodist Church
Cost: $50 per person

For location, River Road United Methodist Church
8800 River Road
Richmond, VA 23229-7802
804-740-7061

To register for the upcoming Unity Works session, please contact Sara Addcock at sara@embracerichmond.org or via phone at 343-5008 x403.

Join us for our February 13th Blessing Day!

Our next blessing day is Saturday, February 13th from 9:30-2:00 and we need more volunteers!   We will be joining up with our community teams in Fairfield Court and Hillside Court to help run community days in both neighborhoods.  It will be a day full of relational ministry – getting to know the people in the communities, working along side the kids to make crafts and play games, serving food, and joining in the fellowship.  We will also be helping a family shop for furniture and moving them into their apartment!  It is sure to be a rewarding day!  Contact Sara to get involved:  sara@embracerichmond.org or 804-343-5008 ext

Join The Conversation

Wendy and Joe regularly post stories and other interesting observations on their personal blogs.

This month check out:

“The Weirdest Day Ever” by Wendy McCaig

“A Glimse of Dr. King’s Vision” by Wendy McCaig

“Tracking Strange Creatures” by Wendy McCaig

“Blessing Day at Embrace Richmond” by Joe Torrence

Our YouTube Channel Has launched!

We have launched a YouTube channel, where various videos of our events will be uploaded for everyone to enjoy. Please be sure and check out our first video, a slideshow of pictures from our January 18, 2010 Blessing Day in celebration of Martin Luther King Dr. Click here to visit our YouTube channel!

AmeriCorps Opening – Community Organizer Northside

Community Organizer

The Community Organizer will coordinate community development and aftercare support within the Gilpin Court and surrounding communities and will seek to meet the needs identified by the community by strengthening community based leaders and mobilizing congregational volunteers and resources.  This is an AmeriCorps funded position.

Specific Duties:

• Identify, recruit and train community based leaders from within the targeted community.
• Develop community based small groups to address needs identified by community members.
• Identify, recruit and train congregational and other volunteers and connect them to small groups.
• Work with community leaders to provide support to formerly homeless or at-risk residents living in the target communities including visitation, referrals, and other resources deemed appropriate
• Coordinate monthly community based missions projects in partnership with other agencies, schools, and tenant council’s residing in the communities

Requirements:

Minimum requirements include an undergraduate degree with at least five years of work experience in the areas of either ministry, social work, or community organizing.  The successful candidate should have a proven track record for recruiting and coordinating volunteer efforts and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.  A basic understanding of nonprofits, social services and congregations helpful.

Interested parties should send resume to susan@embracerichmond.org

The Dream Realized – MLK Day Blessings

“I have a dream that one day … little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Join the Conversation

Wendy and Joe regularly post stories and other interesting observations on their personal blogs.

This month check out:

“Has the Light Gone Out” by Wendy McCaig

“Yolanda’s Gift” by Wendy McCaig

“I Choose Not Fear” by Wendy McCaig

“Stop the Insanity” by Wendy McCaig

“Fruit Roll ups…” by Joe Torrence

Update on Wendy’s Upcoming Book

The full manuscript was submitted to the publisher on December 1st and is scheduled to be in print by early summer 2010.  Thank you to all those who contributed to this work.  The book contains more than 20 in-depth interviews with formerly homeless individuals, non-profit leaders, and volunteers whose lives have been touched by serving the homeless.

These stories are woven into the story of Embrace Richmond and the many lessons we have learned over the years from our homeless friends.  I hope you all we be as blessed in reading it as I was in writing it.

Unity Works Returns in Spring 2010

The goal of Unity Works is to help congregations and individuals understand challenges faced by those trapped in poverty, particularly those who are homeless or at-risk for becoming homeless.  During this six week series of workshops, participants will become more familiar with how the faith community can help prevent homelessness by working in partnership with faith-based and community organizations.  You will hear from represenatives from a number of local non-profits including Homeward, The Micah Initiative, CARITAS, The Healing Place and more as both leaders and participants share their stories of hope and transformation.  In addition, participants will discover their unique call and the assets within their own communities that can help to address some of the unmet needs in our city.

Through careful study, experienced facilitators, guidance from formerly homeless individuals, and opportunities to develop transformational new friendships, participants will discover that unity really does work.

Unity Works Spring Session dates and location will be announced soon. For more information, please contact Joe Torrence at joe@embracerichmond.org or 804-343-5008 ext 406.

Introducing Bridge Builders

Bridge Builders is a 3 week story intensive teaching series that introduces congregations to the issues faced by those seeking to escape from poverty and homelessness and those seeking to aid them.  In this study we look at the responsible Christian response to poverty through a theological perspective, through the eyes of formerly homeless individuals and through the experiences of those who have already begun the hard work of bridge building in our city.

Bridge Builders Series:
Week 1  Laying the Foundation: God of this City a Theological Perspective
Week 2  From the Street to the Sanctuary: Stories of Hope from the Homeless
Week 3  From the Pew to Christ Presence: Experiences of Cross Cultural Missionaries who are doing relational urban ministry in the inner city.

This study was designed for congregations and individuals who want to go deeper, who  desire to move from providing hand outs and doing one time projects, to providing real solutions that lead to lasting life change and community transformation.

Bridge Builders is going to begin on Sunday January 17, 24, 31 at River Road United Methodist 6:00-7:30 PM. Cost is $10 per person.

River Road UMC
8800 River Road
Richmond, VA 23229-7802
(804) 740-7061

For more information about this opportunity or to learn how your congregation can host a Bridge Builder’s series please contact Joe Torrence at joe@embracerichmond.org or 804-343-5008 ext 406.