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CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Pastor Elizabeth Emrey, D.Min.
1515 Stoney Creek Drive,
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 872-0800
lizemrey@yahoo.com
www.avenue.org/nbcc
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Dear Friend,
It is hard to believe that it was just five years ago that we
decided to follow God's call to start a church specifically
for people going through recovery from alcohol, drugs or being
incarcerated. An article will be appearing soon in a journal
on religion and psychology which will highlight what you have
helped us to do through our church. John Van Hagen, Ph.D. wrote
these words in praise of our church:
"A friend of mine is pastor in a church not far from a bus station.
She ministers to a congregation made up of the men and women
who inhabit the halfway houses and rehab centers nearby. The
community gathers for a ceremony where the ritual books are
not followed exactly and the sermon is often a group effort.
Yet in that sacred space, desperate men and women challenge
the myths that wealth is important and success is a measure
of an individual. They dare to see themselves as valuable even
though they may never repair the wreckage of their lives. They
create a world in which all are forgiven, all are loved, and
God can repair everything that has been broken. And in the weakness
and desperation of their damaged lives, they find the courage
to hope again."
Our church is becoming a witness nationally to the power of
Christ's healing love through our community. But this has not
happened without many sacrifices. In spite of our members having
very limited resources, this year alone we were able to help
49 families with emergency rent, food, transportation and medical
and dental needs. Our congregation sacrificially gave $23,000
to help families in our area, including a refugee family from
New Orleans that drove for two straight days with their young
children in order to stay with members of our church. They had
lost their jobs, home and all their possessions. Our church
immediately raised enough money to help them begin a new life.
Because the need was so great in 2005, we began this year with
a budget deficit. We do not have the funds to pay our own bills,
much less help those who are in great need. Our three year grant
from the American Baptist Churches ended in August. Our rent
was raised 33%, and our insurance was increased 400%. We are
asking if you can help us so we can continue to help others.
The attached donor card provides three different ways that you
can help the neediest people in our community make a new beginning.
You can give to our Mission Fund, which is used exclusively
to provide emergency assistance for job training, transportation,
rent and medical and dental needs for church members who are
recovering from alcohol and drug abuse or just getting out of
jail or prison.
Second, you can help us establish a Trust Fund, which is a savings
account to draw from in case we have a shortfall in our weekly
offerings. This will guarantee that we can pay our rent and
our basic expenses, even if some of our members become unemployed
or experience an emergency and are unable to contribute to the
church. This money will insure that our church will be here
for the next year and for the years to come.
Finally, if you prefer, your donation can go to supporting our
new Food Pantry ministry. Every week the church sends Maureen
and Peggy to buy good healthy food from the Food Bank and distribute
it to over 30 needy families. Most of these families live on
less than $7,000/year. Before we had this ministry, they often
went without eating in order to pay their rent or utilities.
May God bless you for all you are doing for those who are trying
to make a new beginning.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Liz
Pastor Liz Emrey |
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The New
Beginnings Christian Community
An American Baptist Church
Worship Site: 1000 Belmont Ave
(Across from Belmont Baptist Church)
Office: 1515 Stoney Creek Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 872-0800
Contact Us
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