Pastor Elizabeth Emrey, D.Min.
1515 Stoney Creek Drive,
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 872-0800
lizemrey@yahoo.com
Dear Friend,

"I am sorry, but there is nothing we can do about it. There is a new government ruling about not allowing food to be stored in residences. You will have to find another place to put your food." Those were the words of the administrator at the Thomas Jefferson Area Food Bank to us. After six years of storing our food in my garage, we now have to find another place to put our Food Ministry.

Our Food Ministry has become an important part of our church. We now provide over 70 families each week with several bags of food. For many of our families, we are their primary source of groceries for the week. We would hate to stop helping our hungry people.

We are praying on what God wants us to do. Some of us have sensed that this bad news may be the opportunity we have waited for to rent a building 24/7 for ministry. After nine years of setting up and taking down every Sunday, of meeting with folk in overcrowded living rooms and restaurants, and of not being able to schedule events on any day but Sunday, we may finally be able to have a real church home that we can fully use. We can then expand our ministry to include such services as Bible studies, Adult GED classes, Adult Literacy, Music Ministry, Cooking Ministry where people can learn how to cook nutritious meals with Food Ministry groceries, Counseling Ministry, NA and AA meetings and a "Movie night" with Christian films (complete with popcorn!).

We are now looking at several locations in the downtown area that seem ideal for our purposes. They all cost around $2,000/ month, plus utilities. Many of our people give 10% of their income to the church, but that barely covers our present expenses. We will need your help, if we are going to be able to rent a facility for our church and Food Ministry. Please pray on this and see if you can help us. Even a small gift would be appreciated. You can help change a life, like Cindy's.

Cindy was incarcerated at our local jail for her heroin addiction. For over 15 years she struggled with her drug habit, coming and going from our church during her ups and downs with addiction. Eventually, she started attending church faithfully and also followed our advice and became a member of Narcotics Anonymous. In time, Cindy asked to be baptized and then wanted to help out with our children's program. Today, Cindy is a Sunday School teacher and a Deacon in our church. She is mentoring others in giving their lives to Jesus.

New Beginnings Christian Community has many people like Cindy, who are recovering addicts, alcoholics, and ex-offenders. Some are homeless, while others are working or looking for work. Our community tries to help them physically, emotionally and spiritually by providing not only food from the Food Bank, but also counseling, Bible studies, worship services, job training, and emergency financial assistance. This past year, with God's help and your support, we were able to provide:

  • 30 families and individuals who would have been homeless with emergency rent
  • 70 families and individuals with weekly food baskets
  • 125 people with money for gas, bus fare and car repair so they could go to work
  • 16 individuals who had no insurance, with funds for their prescriptions
  • 28 families whose gas, water or electricity was disconnected, with payment for their utility bills
  • 6 people who needed emergency housing
  • 7 pairs of boots or work clothes for a job
  • 2 families helped with funeral expenses
  • 18 people with job training skills

    Please pray about our seeking a place for our Church and Food Ministry. We do not want to have to choose between helping with our folks' emergency needs and our rental expenses. You can help by donating with your credit card through Donor Town Square. Gifts to New Beginnings Christian Community are Tax Deductible and you will receive an acknowledgement of your contribution for tax purposes. Thank you so much for your support!

    With your support we can all receive God?s blessings, as Scripture teaches,"Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor." Proverbs 22:9

    Yours in Christ,

    Pastor Liz

    Pastor Liz Emrey