Baileyton United Methodist Church Burns; Hope Rises from Ashes

At Baileyton United Methodist Church in Greene County, Tennessee the physical reminder of 100 years of memories was wiped away in a matter of moments. The fire that destroyed the church's main sanctuary is said by a WBIR news report to have been started by a bad furnace.

Many of you will recall that just a short time ago I posted a happier message about Baileyton United Methodist. They were kind enough to hold a clothing drive to help us here at Hope for Healing.Org. We remain grateful for their help.

When we drove to pick up the clothes I couldn't help but be impressed by the loving care the members had taken to preserve the century old building.

Sitting in a historic rural area Baileyton UMC serves as reminder of an era where little white churches dotted postcard perfect landscapes. The landscaped grounds around the little white church were well tended. An inviting picnic area sat off to the side of the driveway next to a children's play area. Although unused at that moment, you could imagine little voices calling out to each other in child's play. In the distance, East Tennessee's Appalachian mountains added poetic splendor on that sunny autum day. All around you God's handiwork beckoned you to sit aside your worries and embrace the peacefulness of the surroundings.

Now, little remains of this little spot of tranquility except a pile of rubble.

Or does it?

Through the faith of the members of Baileyton UMC we are reminded that The Church is more than a building. A church is strenth, compassion and a love for God that is carried through the hearts and minds of its members. It is a mirror that reflects to the world the love of Christ. You can never contain that in building nor destroy it by fire.

As we pray for the members of Baileyton United Methodist Church let us also remember to rejoice for the foundation of faith that will allow them to rebuild and reach out to the world for another 100 years and beyond.

Purses are in Stock! Made by Volunteers & Clients

Everyone's been asking when we'll have more purses. I'm happy to say that they are now back in stock!

These have been a hotter demand item than we anticipated. What started out as a "let's try it" project is quickly expanding. After Angel Food this past Saturday our Hope Youth & Restorative Justice kids several made under watchful eyes. Each bag is handsewn and inspected before being placed for sale.

Most of all, these bags are a second chance. Our clients who work on them learn new skills. You should see their self-esteem soar! Even the kid who said "I don't like to make things" ended up with a smile on his face. He came to put in community service hours. Despite his protests at learning the new skill guess what he told his mom? He said he'd rather do his community service here over anywhere else!

Cool huh?

The bags support the work we do. If you've haven't seen them yet be sure to check them out. They're made of recycled jeans by recycled lives. See them on the eBay link at http://www.hopeforhealing.org/

In the struggle, Food Pantries Face Shortages & So Do We.

What we're seeing is being echoed all across the country. Food pantries are not receiving as many donations while demand is increasing. What does this mean?

• It means the homeless woman who's living in my office right now is in danger of doing without again. She's a diabetic.
• It means the victim of domestic violence who left her abuser last week but can't feed her kids may have to go back.
• And it means the father of two adorable daughters aged 2 & 3 will have to feed them crackers and peanut butter - again - because he can't make ends meet. He came in two weeks ago to see if we had coats for the daughters.
• Then, there's the pizza delivery driver who's husband has been out of work for a few months. They have a 7 year old who believes Santa will bring them toys and food. Who will be his Santa?

In the past two weeks we've helped 3 victims of domestic violence, one homeless couple, three families with clothing, worked with 3 juvenile offenders, 1 adult offender who's changing his life, and given several food boxes through partnerships with local churches. Plus, we distributed Angel Food boxes, answered phone calls and made referrals to other agencies so clients can get help with services we don't provide.

Our clients struggle and we struggle to help them. Bills (ours and theirs) still have to be paid. The lights have to stay on and the phones connected. Somehow we make it and we are grateful.

Many people are surprised to find that most of our donors give less than $10 at a time. Some people have no money but they save aluminum cans, ink jet cartridges and used cell phones for us or donate something for our Mission Fish site. It all adds up! We are thankful for all gifts no matter how small or how large.

How important is what we do?

In addition to our work online we are the only social service agency that serves all of Strawberry Plains, TN - a small rural community divided between the counties of Knox, Jefferson and Sevier. Many of clients walk or have cars that just barely run. There is no bus service. Before we opened the nearest help center was 22 miles away (RT) for Jefferson County residents and 23 miles (RT) for some of our Knox County clients.

Over half of the kids attending Rush Strong School (our next door neighbor) are on free or reduced lunch. Many of these kids eat at school but not at home. Three miles away in Knox County almost half of the students at Carter Elementary School are on free or reduced lunch.

That's a lot of need. Please consider making a small gift to Hope for Healing.Org this holiday season, use the free Yahoo powered Goodsearch.Com or check our eBay site for holiday auctions.

Together, we are making a difference.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071119/ap_on_re_us/food_pantries_shortage

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=7375532&nav=menu7_2

Review at Viewpoints to earn $5 for charity.

Did you hear about the partnership between Viewpoints and Igive? Sign up with Igive and designate your favorite charity (Hope for Healing.Org). Then, sign up at Viewpoints and begin writing reviews of your favorite (or not so favorite) goods or services. After 5 reviews they'll donate $5 to your designated charity - Us!

Plus, Viewpoints is easy-to-use and exciting. Have you ever spent money on a product and regretted it? (See my review for Hartz Flea Medicine) or loved a service or product so much you wanted to tell everyone (Netflix)? Now you can! At Viewpoints you can read reviews before you buy, recommend products and services to others and raise $5 for charity at the same time. That's a win-win-win situation to me!

But remember, all donations are being processed through Igive. Sign up here first then starting writing on Viewpoints now. This is a time limited opportunity. Thanks!

Please pray for the family a drunk driver demolished.

It was a senseless act of violence at the hands of a drunk driver. Joan went to our church. She was a friend. She was a terrific mom and an all around beautiful person from a beautiful family. She leaves behind two kids, a family who loved her and a huge hole in our community.

Dear blog readers, please pray for her family.

Please pray also for the 5 time drunk who lost his license 10 years ago who murdered her with his car and for his family.

Saying that she will be sadly missed doesn't quite cover it.

Thanks, Gayle

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/nov/14/judge-ups-bond-for-suspect-in-fatal-dui/

Angel Food + Video

Don't forget! The Angel Food distribution is this Saturday beginning at 10:30 am. Forms for next month are available.

Several people have asked about this part of our program. For $28 you can buy a box of food that is valued between $60 - $80. There are also specials you can purchase for around $18. It's open to everyone. Food stamps are accepted as well as checks and cash. There are no qualifications to buy a box.

I've trolled around You Tube and found a video which may be helpful. It's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRwxVh3WiUE

If I can figure out how to operate the camera this Sat. we'll post a video too. In the meantime, check out the link above.

C-ya online, Gayle

Weird Like Me from Transformation Day Introduces CD!

http://www.myspace.com/weirdlikemeband

Wierd Like Me is the great Christian rock band that played for Transformation Day! All the women and men who came enjoyed them tremendously! Visit the url above to hear clips, find out where they're playing, see great photos and learn more about the band. These guys are going places! Hope for Healing.Org is proud to let you know about their music. We look forward to hearing more great news as their career progresses.

Belk $5 Charity Day Tickets on Sale Now!

See our article on the website of the Koxville News Sentinel.

http://knoxville.yourhub.com/CARTERSTRAWBERRYPLAINS/Stories/Clubs-and-Organization/News/Story~386521.aspx

The holiday season always mean an increased need for the services we provide. Besides the usual need for food, clothing and necessities there is an emphasis on familiy activities during the holiday season. Most families enjoy this time of year eagerly gathering for Thanksgiving dinner and catching up with relatives. But for families already under stress the added strain of the holidays flares tempers and shortens fuses. Helpline calls increase and so do requests for help with basic necessities.

We do the best we can but we need your help.

Fundraisers, like the mentioned Belk Charity sale provide needed funds for us to operate on and help families with. People are also needed to help sell tickets individually and/or volunteer at a table in the department store.

But the help we need isn't limited to fundraising. We need help in all areas.f

Monday night we're having a helpline training. Do you have a heart for others? Would you have an evening a month or a weekend to answer calls? If so, call or email us for the location and time of the training. Calls are forwarded into a cell phone that goes where you go. The training is free.