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| Angel Tree Gifts |
| Several weeks before Christmas, children who participate in programs at Hope Lutheran Church are asked to decorate a paper angel for our tree. Each angel includes the child’s name, age, sizes and a short “wish list” of items for the child. Members of Reformation take an angel from the tree and purchase gifts for each child. Last Christmas more than 60 children received these special gifts at Hope’s Christmas Party |
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| Burger-A-Month |
| In the 4 years Reformation has participated in the Burger-A-Month Campaign, our efforts have raised almost $9000 to donate to World Hunger through our Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod.
In this program, members are asked to forego their favorite burger or fast-food sandwich once a month, and donate the money saved to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. Packs of envelopes, for this purpose, are available in the narthex for anyone who would like to participate. Consider making a commitment to do something to slow the spread of hunger in our world. |
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| Care Team -- Children's Clothing Bank |
| The clothing bank is now organized in Closet 1 on newly purchased shelves from money raised at the pancake supper. We provided clothing for a family in Exeter Township afeter a recent fire at their home as well as sending a $200 Wal-Mart gift card to assit them in any other needs they might have.
We will be handing out flers to the families who come to the food bank. We expect more people will be suing the clothing bak when they now about it. As we need clothing, a notice will be sent out in the newsletter or bulletin. We will still have the fall and spring clothing drives for Hope, but will look through the clothing bfor any sizes we mgith need. We would also like to do a winter coat drive this fall.
Please do not bring any clothing to the church until the requests are made. |
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| Community Thanksgiving Dinner |
Our third annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner was held Thursday, November 24, 2011. About 100 people attended, including emergency medical technicians with the Exeter Ambulance Association. Food was provided by congregational donations and prepared by members with the assistance of additional volunteers from the community. Bethany Lutheran Church also donated pies this year. |
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| Everybody's Birthday |
Everybody’s Birthday Party, March 6, 2011
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| Exeter Area Food Pantry |
This exciting new ministry is a partnership among 4 township churches -- Reformation, Schwarzwald, St. Catherine's RCC and Northstar UMC -- as well as members of the community. Reformation has agreed to serve as the distribution site for pantry days. Plans are underway to open the pantry on the 3rd Friday of each month from 4-6 P.M. beginning Friday August 19. |
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| Family Promise |
| Since December 2007, Reformation has been a partner in Family Promise, an inter-denominational group providing housing, meals and support to homeless families in Berks County. Several weeks each year, a large group of Reformation volunteers work together to provide support and welcome guest families who are housed in our church building. We have found this to be a rewarding experience for all of us. |
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| Food Pantry Collections |
| The need for food to fill the shelves at the Lutheran Pantries at Hope and St. Luke’s in Reading, and Bethany in West Reading, as well as The Greater Reading Food Bank, is more urgent than ever. As a result, food collections at Reformation have become an on-going project, rather than something that only happens several times a year. All contributions are greatly appreciated and will quickly be passed on to those in need. |
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| Habitat for Humanity |
Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity is a 501 © (3) ecumenical Christian charitable organization which exists to create affordable home ownership opportunities with and for low income families.
Reading/Berks HFH
336 S 18th Street
Reading, PA 19602
(610) 373-3439
www.habitat.org
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| Health Ministry |
| Reformation is developing a new program: Health Ministry. Our focus will be connected to developing healthier life styles at Reformation as well as in our community. We will be helping to do the following: focus on wellness and disease prevention, move from physician-dependent to patient-involved health care, use a whole-person (body, mind and spirit) approach to health and define health as integrated wholeness and harmony with self, others, the environment and God. |
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| Keystone-Miller Blood Bank |
| Blood Drives are conducted at Reformation two or three times each year. In an effort to increase participation, members of other congregations have been invited to join with us. Dates, times and additional information will be included in our monthly newsletter and Sunday bulletins or on our website. |
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