Hi.

Dawn here to let you know that I'm working on getting the word out about the renovation we're doing on the Children's Room at the Alhambra Police Department. For more info, see the Fact Sheet on the project below:

(click on the top right corner to open a larger version)

Read this doc on Scribd: Alhambra Police Dept Children's Room FACT SHEET

or email me and let us know how you'd like to participate.

There are opportunities to donate funds for specific items; toys, books and furniture for the room; or help out on a work day to renovate the room.

Blessings to you as you consider how you might participate in this project!

Hi, this is Dawn. I'm the new Kingdom Causes intern. I'll be working on this blog going forward, so let me know if you have any ideas or comments. The comment button is right there for your convenience!

:) Dawn

We Care
by Esther Siu, City Intern

During a brief stay in Hong Kong back in mid December last year, I noticed how busy people were. The fast pace, long working hours and tight living conditions can take their toll on folks. It was not difficult to notice the various ways people tried to release some of their stresses.

One morning while walking to a museum, my husband and I took the shortcut through an alley. Two men were cursing at each other over a parking space and it turned into a brawl. One afternoon at the metro station, a woman was yelling at her husband on her cell phone. While waiting for our turn at the ATM machines, a young man kicked the door in frustration on his way out. But the story that troubled me most took place on Christmas day. A woman was killed by an oncoming train as she jumped off the platform in what seemed like a suicide attempt. It saddened me because she had chosen to end her life on Christmas day. Her circumstances must be very difficult.

These stories are not unique to Hong Kong. We hear of them in Alhambra. As churches, what are our shares of responsibility towards the problems in society? What if these stories take place within our churches? Of course, it is unrealistic to assume we have the solutions to people’s problems. For some individuals, the issues are deeper than what meet the eye but we can make a difference. What does it mean when we say, “we care”? What kinds of practical help can we offer? The Mental Health Task Force at Kingdom Causes wrestles with these questions and is here to support pastors and church leaders who are also wrestling with these questions.

On the second Sunday of each month the Task Force gathers to discuss the needs we hear from different congregations. Our team members are made up of counselors, chaplain, therapists and pastors. We share our experiences, resources, and concerns. We encourage mental wellness awareness, discuss preventive measures and intervention for those with more serious mental health issues. We want to be good listeners. We sent surveys to pastors and churches in Alhambra to find out the various needs in the different congregations. Partnering with them we hope to find solutions. In the upcoming round-table discussion in May, the Mental Health Task Force invites you to join in this dialogue. Let us know of concerns and the challenges your church is facing. We may not have solutions to every problem but we do want to say, “We care.”

“The leper came to our Lord begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!’” (Mark 1:40,41)

Note:
If you are a church leader in Alhambra and would like to take part in this survey, please email us: alhambra@kingdomcauses.org