Dear friends,

A couple of years ago First Christian Church of Glendale ended its visible ministry as a congregation and the property

transitioned into a Mission Center as a way to continue to serve the surrounding neighborhood. Currently the center

hosts three congregations, two that are Spanish speaking and one Congolese, a head start preschool, community

groups, a clothing closet, and food pantry. The center seeks to meet critical needs of the neighborhood but is in need

of additional support in order to remain open and to make an even deeper impact. Here’s an invitation from June

Donka about how you might be able to help:

The Glendale Mission and Ministry Center Is a Disciples of Christ initiative following the simplest of principles,

“For I was hungry and you gave me to food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed

me”.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am until 11:30 am food is freely given to those in need. Sack

lunches are provided to individuals and emergency food boxes for families, enough to hold them for two days.

This mission started when youth from First Christian Church of Glendale made sandwiches and gave them out

to the homeless in the nearby park. It continues to serve lunch to over 70 people daily and food boxes to 10

families. The small clothes closet provides free clothing to the homeless.

It is operated by one part time person, a very highly dedicated volunteer and ad hoc volunteers. This is where

you could come in. If you have a heart for serving the “least of these”, please come join in. You will find Foot-

hills people there (Karan Schmitz, Kay Carter, June Donka) most Wednesdays. If you can’t join in, please con-

sider donating food resources or cash, receipts for both are available.

Just a few miles away, many struggle with this most basic of needs. It’s heartbreaking but this mission is making

an impact.

Recently, I was asked to serve on the board of the Glendale Mission and Ministry Center. As a board we are needing to

take steps to make the Center sustainable to ensure its future. Thank you for helping making sandwiches, volunteering,

and donating items to support this ministry.

Peace,

UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS

Jan. 16 Ministry Table Meeting 6:30 PM

Jan. 17 Faith and Film Discussion: “Just Mercy” 1:35pm

showing at Harkins Norterra, co-hosted by the

Arizona Faith Network. Discussion to follow at

4pm in the Norterra Room at Elevate Coffee Co.

Jan. 18-19 Middle School and High School Regional

Disciples/UCC Youth Winter Experience hosted

at Foothills.

Jan. 19 Book Club 6PM - Discussion “If the Church

Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus”

by Philip Gulley

Jan. 20 MLK Day: Office Closed

Jan. 21 Wise Guys and Gals @ Dillon’s BBQ 11:30 AM

Jan. 28 Deborah Group @ Carolyn Quinn’s home 1PM

Feb. 2 Souper Bowl of Caring - Bring Donations of non-

perishable food for the Glendale Mission and

Ministry Center

Feb. 8 1st grade—5th Grade Elementary Regional

Disciples/UCC Youth Event at Church of the

Painted Hills in Tuscon, 10am-6pm

BIRTHDAYS

Gordon Maylone– 1/2

Robyn Lloyd– 1/6

Cynthia Mendoza– 1/8

Jane Hull– 1/9

Maelei Mendoza– 1/11

Chris Ceballos–O’Dowd– 1/15

Jessica Doss– 1/16

Mel Doss– 1/18

Charlotte Barkhauer– 1/19

Stephanie Dahlberg 1/19

Ezra Beckom– 1/21

Jaedon Mendoza– 1/26

Jim Hollcroft– 1/27

Donna Leroux– 1/28

Christmas Star Project: Gifts for

two Refugee Families we

Sponsored.

Foothills Knitters - Christmas Party Making Sandwiches for the

Glendale Mission and Ministry

Center

Interactive Christmas Pageant Installation of Rev. Jay Ross Hartley,

Arizona Disciples Regional Minister Special Guests on Refugee

Support: Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley

and Fiona Kendall