incgiving – Page 7 – INC Giving Project

In Focus: INC Giving Volunteers Help Families Get Ready for the School Year

For 13 years, the Taft Neighborhood Center for Families has held a Back-to-School Health Fair at Orange County’s Taft Community Center in Orlando, Florida. The annual event helps neighborhood children and their families prepare for the upcoming academic year — offering free eye exams, immunizations, haircuts and more.

The Local Congregation of Orlando was invited to join the multiple organizations offering their time and resources for the community’s families. This is one of many events this year that the Taft Community Center has invited the INCGiving team in the region to participate in, due to its members’ consistent reputation for organization and unity.

“The Church of Christ stepped in and they provided lots of donations to the event,” said Rosie Brinson Love of Neighborhood Center for Families.

“They donated the time and staff to come and help us …They bagged and they stuffed back packs for our high schoolers. We are very grateful for the time that you all have given us and the services you have provided.”

Donated snacks and school supplies were gathered and prepared, ready to hand out to more than 500 children and their families.

“Since our Church is in this community, we fill in the gaps where they need people to help in this event,” said Patricia LeDoux Nobleza, coordinator for the Church of Christ INCGiving volunteers.

From cleaning, to welcoming, to ushering attendees and informing them of the available vendors and resources, the INCGiving team was willing to offer their services; not only physically, but also spiritually.

“We’re also hand-in-hand propagating our faith in showing how to be true Christians and showing them that there’s a true Church in our neighborhood.”

INC Giving volunteers took the opportunity to invite community members to their upcoming Evangelical Mission, while offering a recyclable incmedia.org gift bag with more information about the Church of Christ.

“We saw that the community needed us and we stepped in and we helped,” said Patricia LeDoux Nobleza.

“So, we were there as Christians, we were there as Iglesia Ni Cristo, and we’re here united.”

While the community prepares the bodies and minds of their children for the new academic year, the Church of Christ never forgets to develop one’s soul by teaching the youth the importance of community involvement.

Cocoa Beach Mangrove Potting

The brethren from the Local Congregation of Cocoa Beach, Florida joined together in potting mangrove trees with the intention of helping to better the condition of the Indian River Lagoon, a prominent body of water in the region.

Mangrove trees are plants that sit on the shorelines of saltwater areas; they are an essential part of Florida’s environmental health. The roots provide home for sea creatures, the branches are rest areas for many migrating birds, and falling leaves bring nutrients to the water.

The brethren joined with organizations such as the Marine Resources Group to give opportunities for these plants to continue spreading, and provide homes for organisms throughout the Indian River Lagoon, which is sadly in dire straights because of human development.

With God’s help, the brethren were able to pot over 100 seedlings, which once matured, will be planted on the riverbank. They are excited to return for more opportunities to help the environment.

Special thanks to the Marine Resources Group for letting the Church of Christ INCGiving Volunteers join their labor of love for the Lagoon.
Contributed By: Sister Chloe Ravina – Local Congregation of Cocoa Beach, Florida, Ecclesiastical District of Southeastern Seaboard

Singing for a Cause in Charleston, South Carolina

It has always been said that the future lies in the hands of the youth. However, we must not forget to care for the elderly in our communities. The members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), in the Local Congregation of Charleston, SC, participated in an INCGiving activity to do just that.

The brothers and sisters entered the Life Care Center smiling as they were welcomed in. The brethren were greeted with cheerful hellos and curious eyes from the residents and employees as they looked at the INCGiving shirts and bags.

“I always get asked, ‘Why don’t you celebrate Christmas?’ or ‘What kind of church do you go to?’” shared Sister Percy Alvarado, an employee at Life Care Center of Charleston. Sister Percy wanted to hold an INCGiving activity to show her co-workers and patients what the Church of Christ was all about.

The youth members opened a musical program by singing INC Christian music, as well as some older tunes familiar to the residents. Brother Rob Robino and Sister Shayne Sison performed pieces on the piano, and Sisters Maricel Soliven and Cherry Cabiad sang a few contemporary numbers for the residents.

“They were nodding their heads and smiling. It was definitely nice for him to get some different music,” said Angel Gibson, a volunteer at the Life Care Center of Charleston, after watching the program alongside her patient.

After the performances, the brothers and sisters started handing out INCGiving bags to the residents who watched the program. There were still more bags left over that were handed out to even the residents who remained in their rooms.

“I hope to see you all again coming over,” resident Annie G. Dodson said, after enjoying the presentation and seeing the youth participating in activities like this.

Contributed By: Local Congregation of Charleston, Ecclesiastical District of Southeastern Seaboard

Running For a Cause

The Local Congregation of Pensacola, Florida participated in the 6th Annual Navy Federal Credit Union 5k Run/Walk Event. Proceeds went to the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, a non-profit organization that provides a comfort home, free of charge, to military families of loved ones being treated at Eglin AFB, a hospital providing medical care to active duty military members, retirees and their families.

Sister Noreen Hayag Delarosa, employee of Navy Federal was touched by the participation of her fellow brethren with military members and the community.

“I saw how much love our brethren had for each other,” she said.

“… Some looked tired but determined, some were happy/smiling, and some were completely focused – it was a long and hard run for some, but they didn’t give up. Instead, our brethren encouraged each other with love.”

Nearly 40 completed the 5K or cheered on the sidelines with a smile on their face wearing their INC Giving Shirts. Some even ran or walked with large white flags bearing the Centennial Logo on them.

“To me it symbolized our race as members of the Church of Christ,” Noreen added.

“It was an activity to remember. I hope we can do this again next year so we can witness the love and camaraderie all over again.”

Contributed By: Brother Marc Icban – Local Congregation of Pensacola, Florida, Ecclesiastical District of Southeastern Seaboard

More Ways to Help Your Community

Volunteer at a Homeless Shelter – serve meals, clean up, donate clothes or food.
Volunteer at your local library: help re-shelve books and/or assist in children’s or literacy programs.
Offer to accompany a new student to his/her classes in his/her first week at school.
Collect pre-loved toys and coordinate a donation to a children’s hospital, childcare center or youth charity.
Volunteer at a zoo, animal shelter, and/or wildlife refuge.
Share your talents at a local athletic organization and become a coach or coaching assistant.
Protect the planet and be a leader in recycling and up-cycling amongst your family and friends.
Get moving for a cause. Join a 5K or 10K run/walk event.
Volunteer in an area you’re not initially interested in and discover a new passion.
Keep an open mind! There are opportunities everywhere. An act of kindness can be unplanned and spontaneous, a part of our everyday lives.

South Korea Residents Receive Free English and Bible Lessons

Earlier this month, brethren in the Ecclesiastical District of South Korea, Local Congregation of Ansan, provided a community service to residents in the form of free formal English lessons. This project, dubbed “INCGiving: English For All”, was the first weekly class offering free language lessons paired with teachings of the Bible from the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC or Church of Christ).

A group of six Korean nationals from the Ansan and Incheon areas took part in the introductory lesson, “Following Directions.” It began with a paper flower-making activity, in which the students had to listen carefully to English instructions in order to construct tulips out of construction paper.

Next, students followed along with a recording of essential phrases to be used in class, as well as common instructions to be given by teachers.

The students were later introduced to the Church of Christ through videos hosted on incmedia.org, followed by the last activity of the class session – a Bible verse reading with word-by-word explanation, which tied in to the theme of “Following Directions.”

Brother Timothy Kim Reyes, Ansan Resident Minister and facilitator of this INCGiving Project, emphasized that in order to attain salvation, one must follow the Bible for direction and guidance.

The students’ response to the activity was overwhelmingly positive. They warmly expressed their interest in continuing not only their studies of the English language, but also their investigation of the teachings of the Church of Christ.

Contributed By: Local Congregation of Ansan, Ecclesiastical District of South Korea

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