Ministry Centers First Annual Toy Sale

Saturday, December 12, 2009 in Heritage FLC

We are embarking on a new endeavor in our ministry centers. Our first annual Ministry Center Toy Sale is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th. A minimal fee will be charged so that parents from our centers will have the dignity of buying their kids Christmas gifts. The prices will range from 10 cents to 5 dollars for the bigger items. Families who come to our centers will be invited to participate.

We need YOUR HELP in providing NEW (and USED toys IN VERY GOOD CONDITION )for ages infant to 16 years. ALL MONIES RECEIVED FROM THE TOY SALE WILL GO BACK INTO THE MINISTRY CENTERS’ BENEVOLENCE FUNDS FOR FOOD AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE given to families served.



WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE TOY SALE!

1.Monetary donations will be accepted, as well as gifts. Make checks payable to: MBA Church and Community
Ministries Toy Sale, 20 Interstate Park Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109.
2. We will need volunteers the day before the sale to help sort and organize toys.
3. Volunteers will be needed on Saturday to assist our guests as they shop.
4. Baked goods will be served at a “café” for parents who come and shop. Homemade goods would be greatly
appreciated.
5. We need Christmas wrappers. If you are good at wrapping gifts, come and bring some Christmas wrap, bows
and tape to wrap presents for parents.
6. Be a “pray-er” or “sharer” at the Toy Sale with parents.

Call Lisa Rose for more details at 334-271-6794 or email her at
lrose@mgmbaptist.org.

A joint effort of Forest Park Ministry Center, Valley Park Ministry Center, Community of Hope and Shepherd’s Staff Ministry
We will need to receive donations no later than Wednesday, December 9th. Call for instructions on where they will be gathered.

Ministry Centers

Babies(0-12 mo)
Blankets//Crib Sheets
Sleepers/clothes/bibs
Diapers (all sizes)
Bottles
Rattles/key rings
Activity Centers
Mobiles
Car Seat Toys
Crib toys

Toddlers(1-3 yrs)
Large trucks
Stuffed animals
Books
Baby dolls (all cultures)
Fisher Price toys
Building blocks
Riding toys
See-N-Say
Educational games
Musical Instruments
Kid Christian CD’s
CD Players

Preschoolers(4-5 yrs)
Board games
Books
Educational toys
Barbie
Lincoln Logs
K-nex
Legos
Stuffed animals
Plastic tool sets
Balls
Art Supplies
Musical instruments
Bikes/Tri Cycles
Kid Christian CD’s
CD Players
TOY SALE

Grades 1-3
Barbie Dolls (all cultures)
Action Figures
Star Wars Figures
Board Games
Educational Games
Books
K-Nex
Legos
Crayons/Coloring books

Grades 4-6
Remote Control Vehicles
Sports Equipment/balls
Frisbees
K-Nex
Legos
Sports Jerseys/T-shirts
(AL, AU, Troy, ASU, Biscuits)
Jewelry
CD Boom Box
Christian CD’s
I-pods
Cameras
Chapter Books
Board Games
Gift Cards

Teenagers
CD players/I-pods
Christian CD’s
Sports Equipment/Balls
Sports T-shirts/Jerseys
(Pro teams, AL, AU, ASU, Troy)
Squishy Pillows
Bedding for teens
Purses/Belts
Jewelry
Purses
Gift Baskets (lotion etc)
Books/ Bibles for teens
Gift Cards
Posters
Suggestions
Personal Items That Are Always Needed
Winter Caps/gloves/scarves
Socks
Underwear (new only)
Blankets and bedding
Shampoo
Soap/Bubble Bath/Body Wash
Toothbrushes/toothpaste
Deodorant
Hairspray

Miscellaneous Items
Batteries of all sizes
Wrapping Paper/Gift bags
Ribbon/Tape/Tags
Ornaments
Baked goods/Parent Gift bags
Small teas/coffees/Parent Gifts
**********************
NOTES:
1. PLEASE make sure to get as much NEW as possible. IF you have used toys with all the parts, we will sell them on a hodge-podge table away from the new items.
2. Please take into consideration that we will have families of ALL cultures participating. Dolls and action figures need to be multi- cultural.

Thank you so much for helping with this project! God is going to bless the families this year because of your generosity. Pray that each toy you buy will be an opportunity to share God’s love with others.

FALL MINISTRY IS IN FULL SWING

Today I received a call from a potential donor who wanted clarification of how resources given to this ministry are used. After explaining to him the areas of Montgomery where we concentrate ministry and the guidelines that we use to distribute food, clothing, and financial help, he seemed satisfied and even relieved. He wanted assurance that we are being wise stewards of the resources that God provides through donors like himself. I am reminded how important it is to be accountable to the MBA Church and Community Ministries Board, to the MBA itself, and to our sponsoring churches. And I am so grateful for the support that we receive as we carry out Christ's commandment to share His truth in our Judea and Samaria, in our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods in Montgomery.

The birth of some very exciting ministries make "headlines" this month!

1. Planning for the first annual Ministry Centers Christmas Toy Sale is in full swing!! (See the above flier and suggested donation list.) Please prayerfully consider how you, your church, or your group can plug into this incredible opportunity to give a "hand up" instead of a hand out!!!

2. Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade classes in three
Montgomery Title I schools now have readers and / or tutors from Forest Park Ministry Center assisting in their classrooms!

3. Rosa Parks Place, an apartment complex for senior adults in Montgomery, has welcomed volunteers from Forest Park and Valley Park Ministry Centers to host interest groups for the residents, including quilting and board games. What a great way to build relationships!

4. Southlawn Commons, another apartment complex, invited representatives from Forest Park Ministry Center to their "Resident Appreciation Day" on a recent Saturday in September. There, we conducted surveys among the residents to determine what groups and activities they might want to have provided in their community. We look forward to building relationships there, too!

At the center, food assistance continues as strong as ever; the needs are so very great. Here are highlights of the services provided in September:
****4 brand new members of Christ's family!!!!!
****138 families served, for a total of 338 family members, 26% are new guests with first time needs.
****3,220 pounds of food distributed to hungry families
****Praise - we have moved into the newly expanded food pantry area of the
center!!!

Your prayer support is so direly needed. Thank you for loving Christ and His work through Forest Park Ministry Center.

End of Summer Update - Looking to Fall Opportunities!

Summer 2009 has brought both great blessings and new challenges to the ministry participants and recipients at Forest Park Ministry Center. In August alone, we saw over 170 families, well over 1/3 for the first time. We distributed over two tons of food during the month, but best of all, as we fed them physically, there were many who for the first time learned of the Living Water of Jesus Christ and gave their lives to him. Praise to our Lord! There are some very specific things that I want to make you aware of. These opportunities are here now, and we need your support to see them through! You can support first with your fervent prayer, then with your time, talent, and or resources. Here are the exciting doors of ministry opportunity that God has opened:

1. On December 12, 2009, the MBA Church and Community Ministries (including Forest Park Ministry Center) will host a Christmas Toy Sale specifically for the guests of our centers who demonstrate need for assistance in providing Christmas gifts for their children. This event is important not only because it will make children happy, but even more important, it will reinforce the dignity and desire for responsibility that parents so crave in providing for their children. The toys, donated by churches and their members and by corporate donors, will be sold for extremely small amounts in order to be completely affordable by anyone; what few funds are received will be rolled directly back into the benevolence budget of the centers. You can participate by:
*****Donate toys or funds to purchase toys.
*****Help with set up during the week prior to the event.
*****Be one of the many needed helpers on the 12th - everything from shopping buddies to "cafe bakers and servers" to gift wrap!
*****PRAY for the families involved and for the workers, for prepared hearts and joyful spirits!

2. Summit Properties has requested representatives from Forest Park to come on site at two of their properties to facilitate groups that will enrich the lives of the residents at Rosa Parks Place and at Southlawn Commons. We are currently in the process of administering Needs Assessment Surveys to determine what types of groups are most needed. Become plugged into a brave new branch of ministry through Forest Park Ministry Center!

3. Be a crucial part of the renovation needed at the center in order to more effectively operate. The existing carport is in disrepair and is a safety hazard. Compound that with the dire need for more space for multipurpose use including receiving, sorting, instruction, and storage, and you see why enclosing the carport is a real need. The list at the right enumerates not only the materials needed but also the priority of the needs. Please prayerfully consider your ability to assist in this project by pledging the donation of materials or by refering this list on to those that you know who could assist in this way. God bless you all for your love for Christ and for your faithful support of His work!