First Reformed Church » House of Manna

Weekly Update – Sept 20 – 25

Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:11:49 +0000

Dear Friends,

What a diligent group of young volunteers from Rutgers University, guided by Pastor Hartmut, Gary & Lauren Bernhofer, and Rod Gray, came out Saturday afternoon to work around our church. Gravestones received mulch around them to keep down the grass, various places received a coat of paint, the curtain sheers were hung throughout the church house, the sanctuary was restored to order in preparation for RALLY DAY! Phew! I’m getting tired just writing it all down. Thank you! Thank you all for time and efforts.

And what a fun and spirited RALLY DAY we had. There was a flea, a lion, a magician, a king and a ring master with the flea. Such small sparse props were used still the message of joyful hope made room in our hearts because we allowed it to have some space there. Let’s carry that hope with us through all that we are doing as a church.

Here’s what’s happening this week at FRC:

Monday, Sept 19
Staff Mtg. 10:30 am
Ad-hoc TCCDC Comm. mtg 2:30 pm

Tuesday, Sept 20
House of Manna 4 -7 pm
Consistory 7:30 pm

Wednesday, Sept 21
Lunchtime Recital 12:15 noon
Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm

Thursday, Sept 22
House of Manna 4 – 7 pm

Sunday, September 25
Choir Rehearsal 9:00 am
Breakfast & Banter 9:30 am
Bell Rehearsal 9:50 am
Worship 10:30 am
Friendship Luncheon w/ our friends at the Interfaith Dialogue Center 11:45 AM

Upcoming Events:

October 1st – Spaghetti Dinner & Game Night $20/ family & $8/Person
Games, Apples, and lots of laughs!

Blessings and peace be with you,

Pastor Susan

Building Vision Group

Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:02:02 +0000

The Building Vision Group has been working and meeting regularly throughout the summer. Here is the status of our various plans:

We were incorporated as a 501(c)3 the beginning of July with the organizational name: The Town Clock Community Development Corporation, Inc., otherwise referred to by this acronym: TCCDC.

We have elected officers and added one new person to the what is now the Board of the CDC. Welcome Linda Lachesnez! We still enjoy the support, encouragement and guidance from Robert Stewart, the Executive Director of Coming Home of Middlesex County.

1. We have met with several service and program providers, and went to visit another affordable housing projects in NJ, namely Eva’s Village in Paterson. This was an incredible trip.

2. We have met with architects; three different firms and have finalized a Request for Proposal (RFP) which describes our proposed project of the redesign of the sanctuary space. The due date for the proposals is mid-October.

3. We have narrowed our vision for which needy population the affordable housing project would service, namely: single women and single women with children. We feel that our church is particularly ‘called’ to provide housing to such women for various reasons: House of Manna is located in Fellowship Hall, a nursery is located upstairs, there is ample opportunity for jobs in this area, and we are located near public transportation. The following definition describes the people to who we hope to offer housing (Granted, a service provider, with which we will be working hand-in-hand, would be assisting us in the overseeing the needs of such folks.):

i. Individual homeless women – This may be persons who are not eligible for Section 8 housing, but who nevertheless cannot afford regular rent. They may be jobless or have lost housing because of life conditions. Mental health counseling, job skills training, financial counseling may be needed.
ii. Homeless mothers – Generally this is not long term housing but a “fix-it” situation until they are able to move up and out. These folks may have low to moderate income, but need to have a chance with similar supportive services as mentioned above. They may also be victims of domestic violence, who are trying to gain their financial footing until they can afford their own apartment.

The Board of the TCCDC hopes to hear from you about your thoughts regarding the progress of our 501(c)3. Please talk with any of us: Liz Hance, Joan Fekete, Ellen Hamilton, Stef Beemsterboer or myself.

House of Manna Update

Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:08 +0000

In September, our wonderful volunteer and client coordinator for our Family Feeding Program stepped down. We will truly miss Elizabeth. Those of us who have volunteered at House of Manna knows that Elizabeth was a whirlwind of energy and direction, running to and fro, getting tables set up in a flash, and talking all the while with the folks who came to eat. We wish her all the best for her future!

The Elijah’s Promise office, though, has done a wonderful job in providing the program with two new coordinators: Lew and Lissett. Each one of them comes with a special story.

We are still feeding about 30-70 people regularly on any given night. Plus, there are several groups which provide an activity for the children

House of Manna

Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:48:17 +0000

Some people would say that we bless them since we have opened our Fellowship Hall to the House of Manna – Family Feeding Program. However, we can also say that we are likewise blessed since they have come amongst us! How? Well, just the last month has proved this to be true. First of all, the Elijah’s Promise organization paid for the repair of the dishwasher, which was over $700. That was a blessing. More importantly, though, was their support in getting us a volunteer from their organization, who stripped the Fellowship Hall floor and put three coats of wax on it. It shone beautifully for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, even though there had been so many groups using our facilities over that particular weekend, including the 163 people who were fed on Maundy Thursday at House of Manna. Wow!

There are so many other blessings being provided though through the Family Feeding Program, namely, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital has organized regular Community Health Promotion Programs during the meals. Here are the workshop topics: in January – HIV Testing, February – Healthy Snacks, March – Sharing Stories Breast Cancer Awareness Theatre, April- Fun Fitness for the Family, May – Love Don’t Hurt Domestic Violence Awareness Theatre, and in June – Summer Safety.

We are so thankful that the RWJUH – Community Health Promotion Program has taken on this task of providing good information to a population that is often neglected. Indeed, we all are being blessed
through this partnership of caring for those in need.