Life Together!Council of Churches of the Ozarks

Issue II: Volume 2 Spring 2009

A Source of Hope for a Lifetime

“rivers of living water.”

John 7:38

2 Life Together!

Mission StatementTo improve the quality of life in our region through collaborative

outreach in the name of Jesus Christ, by doing together what

can best be done together.

Council of Churches of the Ozarks

Board of DirectorsNeil Stenger, PresidentRoseann BentleyKenneth ChumbleyDan FribergBill GautGordon KinneDavid KunzeLori MatthewsKen McClureKris NauDavid PeckTim RosenburyKatherine SteinbergPatrick SweeneyCindy WaitesBill Darr

The CCO Foundation Chair

ccozarks.org627 N. Glenstone

P.O. Box 3947 Springfield, MO 65808

Office: 417-862-3586 Fax: 417-862-2129

A Source of Hope for a Lifetime!Dear Partners and Friends,

With Easter hosannas still ringing in my ears, it is with great joy that I bring you greetings today.

Thank you for your support of the ministry of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks. With your partnership, we are a source of hope for a lifetime for thousands of our neighbors in the Ozarks.

Of course, we are not THE source of hope. Like the ripple effect illustrated on the cover, our work and the hope we share is a response to the love of God in Jesus Christ who said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:37-38)

This issue of Life Together! features a variety of historical “ripples” within its pages. These serve to remind me of how deeply faithful God has been over the years to sustain the work of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks. Much of our work is well known to many, so I want to briefly lift up three ministries that are less well known and are often underfunded.

Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks (TRO) was launched by the Council of Churches in 1995 in collaboration with Missouri State University and Boys and Girls Town of Missouri. TRO uses the horse as a tool in the hands of skilled therapists and riding instructors and trained volunteers to provide therapy to clients aged two and up. TRO serves clients with a full range of disabilities and is a certified center of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Director Kent Crumpley says that the following poem by John Anthony Davies truly captures his feelings for TRO:

I saw a child, who couldn’t walk, Sit on horse, laugh and talk. Then ride it through a field of daisies And yet he could not walk unaided. I saw a child no legs below, Sit on a horse, and make it go Through woods of green And places he had never been. To sit and stare, Except from a chair I saw a child who could only crawl Mount a horse and sit up tall. Put it through degrees of paces And laugh at the wonder in our faces. I saw a child born into strife, Take up and hold the reins of life And that same child was heard to say, Thank God for showing me the way.

You can learn more about Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks on page 13 of this Life Together!

From the Executive Director

ABOUT OUR COVER:

The cover is an interpretation of the Rosanna Bradshaw Memorial Fountain, located in the courtyard of the main office building for the Council of Churches of the Ozarks. The words of John 7:38 are inscribed around this fountain: “Out of the believer’s hearts shall flow rivers of living water.”

Life Together! 3

Operating AgenciesAmbassadors For Children

Sondra Uzzell, msw, lcsw, Director 627 N. Glenstone

Springfield, MO 65802 417-862-3586 ccozarks.org

Child Care Food Program Vicki McMillen, Director

1531 E. Sunshine E-1 Springfield, MO 65804

1-800-818-6812 ccfpfood.com

Child Care Resource & Referral Nicole Piper, Director 1910 E. Meadowmere Springfield, MO 65804

417-887-3545 ccochildcare.org

Connections Handyman Service Richard Virnig, Director

627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802

417-862-3586 ccozarks.org

Crosslines Pam Copling, Director

1710 E. Chestnut Expressway Springfield, MO 65802

417-869-0563 crosslines.org

Daybreak Adult Day Care Rick Stephenson, Director

1461 E. Seminole Springfield, MO 65804

417-881-0133 / 417-882-4243 ccozarks.org

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Connie Payne, Director

627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802

417-862-3598 ccozarks.org

RSVP Sharon Bradford, Director

627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802

417-862-3595 rsvp-springfieldmo.net

Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks Kent Crumpley, Director

627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802

417-862-3586 ccozarks.org

A Source of Hope for a Lifetime

Connections Handyman Services (CHS) began in 1997 as an opportunity for church youth to get their hands dirty on summer missions trips by helping physically challenged folk with yard cleanup and minor home repairs. Today CHS provides essential home repairs for low income seniors and homeowners with disabilities so they may continue to live independently and safely in their own homes. Much of that work is still done by folk looking for mission opportunities. “We started out training young hands to do mission service work,” says director Richard Virnig. “Now we need trained hands wanting to grow young again doing God’s work.” You can learn more about CHS on page 11 of this Life Together!

Ambassadors for Children began in 1999 under the name Families for Children with a mission for the recruitment and retention of local foster & adoptive parents. Several programs were developed over the years to provide resources to local foster children and foster families, including The Kid’s Clothes Closet and Project Self-Esteem. In February 2008, Families for

Children became Ambassadors for Children. Ambassadors for Children exists to provide resources & support to abused & neglected children in our community. Ambassadors for Children provides new clothing, self-esteem enhancing items, tutoring, and hygiene items. Ambassadors for Children connects Child Protective Caseworkers with local community & faith groups to directly fulfill specific needs for children & families

on a Caseworker’s caseload. To date, nearly 3,000 local abused & neglected children have been served through Ambassadors for Children programs. Director Sondra Uzzell told me recently: “It’s thrilling to be part of a ministry that serves children who have been victimized in order to help them regain a sense of confidence and courage to interact positively with their families, peers and within the community. Our programs truly invest in the future of our community through strengthening vulnerable children & families.” You can learn more about Ambassadors for Children on page 4 & 5 of this Life Together!

As you pray about the support you so generously give, I ask you to remember that your undesignated gifts to the Council of Churches support all of our work and allow flexibility to use resources where the need is greatest. If you are a supporter of one of our specific ministries, I encourage you to continue that support. Together, we are truly a source of hope for a lifetime!

Dave Hockensmith, Executive Director

4 Life Together!

Partnerships Make It PossibleThe Kid’s Clothes Closet program is the result of true partnership between Ambassadors for Children (formerly Families for Children) and the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks. While Ambassadors for Children monitors outcomes, promotes the program and secures funding for & purchases new clothing to keep The Kid’s Clothes Closet stocked, the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks provides a convenient location for The Kid’s Clothes Closet and

many kind volunteers & staff who schedule and facilitate appointments 7 days per week from 9am-9pm. In fall 2008, The System, a Paul Mitchell Partner School, began partnering with The Kid’s Clothes Closet to provide a free haircut coupon to each child served, at each appointment. This program has been funded by the C.W. Titus Foundation, the Musgrave Foundation, The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Junior League of Springfield, Pauly Trust, Binnie Clements Guild, Great Southern Bank, and The Gannett Foundation. To date, The Kid’s Clothes Closet has served nearly 2,700 Greene County foster children through a total of over 3,600 appointments.

H I S T O R YFamilies for Children began in mid October of 1999 to recruit local foster & adoptive homes for abused & neglected children.

The Kid’s Closet program was born in 2001 as collaboration between Families for Children and the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks.

In 2005, Project Self-Esteem began.

In February 2008, Families for Children was officially renamed Ambassadors for Children.

Message from a local foster parent:

“THANK you so much - Believe me I will be passing the word to others. It is so

nice to have the support

of the community and it is

such a learning experience

as a foster parent and the

caseworkers loads are so

huge that sometimes you

do feel alone. Finding

out about support like

this just gives one such a

boost! May you be blessed

abundantly for caring so

much. Thanks for making

a HUGE difference - you

did for me.”

Pack-a-Bag “With Love”Many children cannot bring their personal belongings with them into foster care, and if they do bring items, they are often carried in a trash bag. This pro-gram offers a bit of comfort and security to these children. A local Caseworker recently shared that a 2 year old girl was recently taken into foster care from a drug home and received a bag with an Elmo doll and “she thought it was just the greatest thing.” To date, nearly 400 bags have been distributed to local foster care case management agencies.

Life Together! 5

The Adopt-a-Caseworker program exists to match Greene County Child Protective Caseworkers with a community Partner Group (churches, faith groups, businesses, civic groups, etc.) in order to fulfill the specific needs of children/families on each Caseworker’s caseload. Following one year of planning, the Adopt-a-Caseworker program began in January 2009 and the first matches were made between Partner

Groups and Caseworkers in March 2009. So far, there are 18 active matches and an additional 3 matches pending. This program continues to be an excellent way local community members can play an active and direct role in supporting abused & neglected children, their families, and the Caseworkers who work diligently to ensure their safety and well-being. Call Sondra Uzzell at 862-3586, ext. 236 to learn more about how to help abused and neglected children in our area.

Ambassadors for Children An Operating Agency of the

Council of Churches of the Ozarks Sondra Uzzell, MSW, LCSW

Agency Director 627 N. Glenstone • Springfield, MO 65802

417-862-3586 ext. 236 • suzzell@ccozarks.org ambassadors4children.blogspot.com

Adopt-a-Caseworker

The Project Self-Esteem program pro-vides funds for special items & activi-ties for Greene County foster children such as contact lenses, eye glasses, prom attire, graduation announce-ments, summer camps, school trips, sports fees and much more. Through this program, abused & neglected

children are provided opportuni-ties to improve their social skills and participate in the same activities as other children. To date, Project Self-Esteem has ap-proved and funded over 100 requests.

Project Self-Esteem

The name Ambassadors for Children encompasses the new agency mission to provide resources and support to local abused & neglected children through an array of programs. In an effort to promote the new Adopt-a-Caseworker program in addition to the other existing programs under the new agency name, the Agency Director has completed over 55 community presentations since April 2008. To schedule a presentation, contact Sondra Uzzell.

6 Life Together!

Serving an Average of 53 Households per Day!

Through the first quarter, Crosslines Director Pam Copling reports that Crosslines has experienced an average increase in demand each day of nearly 20% for households seeking food assistance. In real numbers, this is an average of 53 households served per day, up by 10 to 12 households compared to last year. The number of new families seeking assistance is up by more than 27%. Pam points out that some new clients who are coming to Crosslines for the first time had supported Crosslines with gifts of money or food in the past.

Would your church like to be part of “Home Missions”?

Has your church been looking for a volunteer outreach opportunity to serve families in need? If so, Crosslines has just the opportunity for you.

We need a church that can provide 3 or 4 volunteers on the second Monday of each month, 8:45 am to 2 pm to sack and distribute food for those in need. This opportunity does not require the church to bring food.

If you are interested please contact Pam at 865.1076 or pam@crosslines.org for more information or to arrange an on-site visit.

Service Statistics thru March 2009

Food – 3,049 families – 7,817 individualsClothing – 1,525 families – 4,665 individualsDiapers – 234 dozenPrenatal Vitamins – 96 bottlesChildren’s Vitamins – 162 bottlesBlankets – 77Coats – 457Gas Vouchers – $415Bus Passes – 22Infant Layettes – 33Voice Mail Service – 17Rental Assistance – $7,941

H I S T O R YIn April 1969 Crosslines was formed. Here is a sample of some of their vintage artwork. In a news release from Dorsey Levell dated March 13, 1969, “Where there is a human need call Crosslines for help!”

Because there could come a time…when any one of us could use a little help.

Life Together! 7

The Community Hymn Sing to benefit Crosslines was beautiful in countless ways! In ways we can count, there were singers from 13 area church choirs and a blended “congregation” of nearly 300 in attendance. A total offering of $2,792 was received for the work of Crosslines.

We are grateful for all in attendance. A special word of appreciation goes out to the area churches that participated, including: Aldersgate United MethodistCampbell United MethodistCovenant PresbyterianChrist EpiscopalFirst & Calvary PresbyterianGrace United MethodistKing’s Way United MethodistNational Avenue ChristianRedeemer LutheranSt. John’s Chapel United Church of ChristSchweitzer United MethodistSecond BaptistWesley United Methodist

Our special thanks to organizers Charles and Linda Dickinson, and the congregation and staff of King’s Way United Methodist Church for opening their sanctuary for an inspiring afternoon.

ex

r

A HUGE Thank You to everyone who sent a card, a note and said a Crosslines Pam Copling, Director

1710 E. Chestnut Expwy Springfield, MO 65802

crosslines.org

prayer during my illness. It is hard to be secluded when you are a people person. Your correspondence made such a difference! It’s nice to be back in the office and I am getting better all the time. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people who care about me. Thank you so much for your support and love. Pam

Community Hymn Sing a Success!!

Eagle Scout Organizes Food Drive

Crosslines would like to thank Bryan Price, a 17 year old Troop #16 Eagle Scout member that organized and collected 1,250 lbs. of non-perishable food for the Crosslines pantry! Way to go Bryan! Bryan said, “with the help of my church youth group we placed food collection boxes at Pizza Huts and some local churches.” Thank you to everyone participating in Bryan’s efforts! Together, we are fighting hunger in the Ozarks!

8 Life Together!

“Bee” a Reading BuddyIn the beginning, the RSVP Reading Buddy Program recruited a minimum of 20 new volunteers who were matched one-on-one with an at-risk student from Fairbanks school. After receiving the initial training, each volunteer met once a week for 30-45 minutes over breakfast or lunch with the student. The student read for the volunteer and they discussed the context of the story. The volunteers were positive role models, exhibiting a strong work ethic and an understanding of the

value of good reading skills.

To celebrate the students’ progress, RSVP hosted a family picnic for the students, parents, teachers, and volunteers at Grant Beach Park. The students received a gift for participating in the program.

The next year the program expanded to Bowerman, Fremont, and Westport Elementary Schools. The Reading Buddy Program has continued to expand and this year had 39 schools in Springfield and the surrounding area involved in the program.

The recognition parties have evolved over the years. To celebrate the students’ involvement in the reading program, RSVP now hosts pizza parties in most of the schools, inviting the students and volunteers. Each student receives a book and a gift from RSVP in addition to the pizza. After eating, the students usually work on hidden pictures with their volunteers. Lots of laughter and smiles can be seen on the faces of the students and volunteers at the parties!

The Reading Buddy Program continues to seek caring volunteers willing to share their life long experience in reading. The program will begin again in September, 2009 and is ready to take your calls to register. Call Carol Scott, Education Coordinator at 831-9696 or email at readingbuddyrsvp@yahoo.com

H I S T O R YFor thirty-five years the Springfield-Greene County RSVP, a part of the Corpo-ration for National Ser-vices Senior Service Corp, has maintained a strong commitment to the com-munity and its volunteers.

The Council of Churches of the Ozarks has spon-sored the program locally since its inception in Sep-tember 1974.

The first director, Rose-anna Bradshaw, told the story of going to Heritage Towers to recruit the very first RSVP volunteers to help with the Girl scouts Cookie Sale. Other direc-tors over the years in-cluded Helen Beaty, Cindy Harris, Sonja Dodd, Rowe-na Jones, Margaret Geiger, Nancy Maddy and most recently, Sharon Bradford.

One of the boys wanted to know about the

“people” that gave him the book to tell them “Thanks” and that he

is reading his book at home.

United Way of the Ozarks

Life Together! 9

Rolling Volunteers!The RSVP van service has four vans acquired through the Missouri Department of Transportation at an 80-20% match. Staffed by volunteer drivers, this program is our unique answer to the federal grant’s requirement to assist volunteers with transportation. This service, which currently schedules approximately 400 one-way rides per month, removes a major barrier for many senior volunteers: transportation and/or parking. In addition to providing transportation for volunteers to and from their work sites, RSVP vans also transport the Happy Plunkers and the Brady Bunch Singers. These groups entertain nursing home residents. Queen City Blind also uses the van transportation for their monthly meetings.

Environmental Corps Looking for Volunteers

The RSVP Environmental Corps currently focuses on the maintenance of the Living Memorial Park and the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. We are always looking for

volunteers interested in working in the flower beds at the Living Memorial Park. Call Sharon or Bev at 862-3595 to learn more.

Sharon Bradford RSVP Director

627 N Glenstone Springfield MO 65802

417-862-3595 rsvpspringfieldmo.net

The Homebound Shopper Program matches a shopper to a homebound client for the purpose of shopping for that client on a regular basis. It is the hope of RSVP to increase this much-needed service in the coming years.

Currently, we have over 1500 active volunteers helping bridge the gap between necessary services and limited resources for over 125 agencies in our community. In 2008, volunteers logged over 190,000 hours, valued at over $1,339,500. If you would like to become an RSVP volunteer, please call 417.862.3595 for more information. We always need new smiling faces and willing hearts!

10 Life Together!

Daybreak Adult Day Care“Quality Care, Each New Day”

HISTORYDaybreak’s doors opened to the community in 1983 under the direction of Chuck Goforth and Gordon Elliott.

Daybreak Adult Day Care was established as a medical model program and one of the first state licensed adult day care centers in Missouri.

HISTORYThe Ombudsman program started in the early 1970’s to ensure that every nursing home resident has access to an ombudsman to help resolve complaints and concerns.

Recently, we have been involved with promoting Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes which is a national campaign designed to improve the quality of life for both residents and staff. The focus of the campaign is on quality improvement and self-regulation on the part of providers and it recognizes the important

role of both consumers and nursing home staff in improving the quality of care and quality of life for residents.

We are also working closely with the Missouri organization for culture change known as MC5: the Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change. MC5 is working to change the long-traditional practice of institutional aging, with surroundings that are real homes where choices and wishes come first, and meaningful relationships with others create genuine interactions not found in yesterday’s facilities. Through training, we want to help facilities create, within their walls, a culture of aging where each individual does not become lost in the system, but is respected in meaningful ways that sustains the lives they have had in the past. It is a model of care that offers residents choices and empowers staff which leads to better quality of care for all residents.

Long-Term Care ombudsman Program

“I was sick and you visited me…” (Matthew 25:36)

Volunteers Needed! The Ombudsman

Operating Agency is in need of volunteers in

many of our 17 counties. For more information

about volunteering with the Long-Term Care

Ombudsman Program, or making a gift in support

of this ministry of compassion, contact:

Connie Payne, Director 627 N. Glenstone

Springfield, MO 65802 417-862-3598 ccozarks.org

Home Away from Home by Rick Stephenson

Daybreak Adult Day Care is a “home” Monday through Friday for forty-eight clients. Daybreak of-fers an alternative to premature institutionalization by offering families the option of keeping a loved one at home with the advantage of having access to a professional staff to support their immediate care needs.

Upon visiting Daybreak, you would find the clients engaged in stimulating activities such has arts and crafts, pet therapy, reality orientation, games, BINGO, Wii, and the music program. You would also find Daybreak involved in the community at Branson shows, bowling, picnics at the park, the pumpkin patch, the zoo, fishing, the circus, and the fair.

Five days a week, Daybreak offers medical care, a stimulating environment, a protected and safe atmosphere, and more love than anybody could imagine. Through the twenty-one years that the Council of Churches has operated Daybreak, we have continued to carry out our mission of caring for the needs of people in Springfield and surrounding area.

Daybreak Adult Daycare Rick Stephenson, Director

1461 E Seminole Springfield, Mo 65804

417-881-0133 ccozarks.org

Life Together! 11

CONNECTIONS

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Growing Up With CHS…by Richard Virning

CHS is going to be 12 yrs old this summer. In our earlier years, we mostly built a couple of ramps in the summer and did odd jobs during the winter. Once, when we stayed with a church family, we started a summer program for youth mission groups to come and help us build ramps for folks with disabilities. That was such a grace filled experience, we still do it today.

As I remember it, Bill, Ivan, Carl and John were the mainstays of a group of volunteers who, even though the mileage was beginning to show on them, figured they could volunteer one more summer of teaching folks how to build ramps and teaching me how to manage the program we called Summer Youth Work Camp (SYWC), our first name from our First and Calvary days. I remember the guys picked an easy ramp to start with, about a fourteen footer.

The fun part was training me to qualify for my PHD (Post Hole Digging degree) and all the intricate details of

correct ramp building. In short, I learned how to build them right! We still build them that way today!

Lately, with our aging population, more folks than ever are requesting help in building ramps. Already for the first quarter of 2009, CHS has logged 18 ramp requests. As always, this summer CHS will host groups from all over the midwest to come and take part in our SYWC. We will put them up at a host church, provide them with tools, materials and a contractor to teach them how to build ramps the CHS way.

Usually we have our summer booked full by now, but it seems as if the current hitch in our economy must be keeping folks from planning mission trips far from home. So to fill out our summer schedule, we are encouraging local churches to take a mission trip “in their own back yard”. Come build a ramp right here in Springfield. Stay at a host church for a week, do mission camp program stuff and leave the rest up to us! For a GOOD mission trip, call me at 862-3586.

RichaRd ViRnig

H I S T O R YSummer Youth Work Camp (SYWC), our first name from our First and Calvary days.

Connections Handyman Service is going to be 12 years old this summer.

By the time we were five, we had permanently moved in with the Council of Churches of the Ozarks and had expanded our name to include Connections Handyman Services (CHS).

For more information, contact:Connections Handyman Services

Richard Virnig, Director417-862-3586

627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802

ccozarks.org“Lately, with our aging population, more folks than ever are requesting

help in building ramps”

12 Life Together!

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR)

Upcoming Spring Activities by Nicole Piper

Spring is a very busy time of year for early childhood. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Month of the Young Child. The month of May brings Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. Therefore, CCRR is involved in many community activities that educate or celebrate these events. For example:

Community Wide Playday in Springfield is hosted each year in April. This event is a fun-filled day with FREE activities for families with children from birth to 12 years old. CCRR will have an informational booth for families and a fun activity for the little ones.

Child Care Provider Appreciation Day is in May and CCRR is co-hosting the 10th annual Springfield area Appreciation Banquet. The evening is filled with dinner and a motivational presentation, as well as giveaways. This event is one way to honor the hard work of our area child care providers.

January & February 2009 Service SummaryTotal # of… Referral Calls: 208

Children Served through Referral Calls: 292 On-line Referral Searches: 374 Technical Assistance Contacts: 1,665

For more information about CCRR, or to make a gift in

support of the work of CCRR, please contact Nicole Piper,

CCRR Director 417-887-3545

1910 E. Meadowmere Springfield, MO 65804

ccochildcare.org.

CCFP staff has been busy helping providers learn how they can cut food costs without cutting the nutritional values of the meals and snacks they serve the children. Because USDA and Missouri Department of Health require the children in care be offered a variety of foods sometimes it becomes a real challenge for the child care provider to prepare menus that have a good variety of foods offered and not strain their budget. We have created a five week cycled menu for providers showing a good variety of foods, yet cost effective

foods along with tips for getting the most out of your food program dollars.

CCFP staff has observed that most providers serve the children larger portions than are required. As a result food is sometimes wasted. CCFP staff recommends a provider serve the required portion sizes and then offer seconds to those children that request more.

CCFP staff continues to stay busy with many new licensed and registered providers starting the food program.

I feel we are seeing a trend with the economy and job loss that many young women are going into childcare know-ing they can stay at home with their own children and yet bring in an income with child care fees and an added bonus with reimbursement from the CCFP for meals served.

Stretching the CCFP Food Dollars by Vicki McMillen

Child Care Food Program Vicki McMillen, Director

1531 E. Sunshine, E-1 Springfield, MO 65804

417-865-8427 or 1-800-818-6812 ccfpfood.com

Child Care Food Program (CCFP) Providing Nutrition to Children in Need

Life Together! 13

r…Sidewalkersr

…Horse Handlersr

…Volunteer InternLook us up at trozarks.blogspot.com

VOLUNTEERS: Copy and sign liability forms and bring with you to our Volunteer Training. Training and riding sessions are held at MSU Arena Site and Republic Arena.

Therapeutic Riding of the OzarksEnabling the Disabled Through Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Therapeutic Riding of The Ozarks was started in 1995 thanks to the inspiration of Peg Carolla. In the beginning, the board members for The Council of Churches were unsure of Therapeutic Riding and how it could be beneficial to children and adults with disabilities, but eventually they came aboard. When MSU became a collaborative partner everything really started coming together. Not only did they own the original 6 horses but they became the source for the first instructor, Daphne Sisk. Daphne worked for MSU at the time, and got additional training and certification for Therapeutic Riding. TRO originally had 6 clients, which were split evenly into two classes.

This year TRO will serve 87 children and adults in our Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy Programs. We will use up to about 100 volunteers as well.

In the beginning TRO had 12 to 15 volunteers; there was a mini-mum of 2 per child. In addition to MSU, there have always been quite a few collaborative partners. Therapeutic Riding of The Ozarks has been fortunate enough to be given generous donations since the beginning. According to Peg Carolla, “we got what-ever, whenever”, along with some state funding. Although many things have changed, the logo has remained the same. The horse and child logo was designed and brought in by a volunteer but something was missing. Peg Carolla said, “The child has to wear a helmet”, so, she sketched a helmet, added an arm, and the rest is history.

Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks Is looking for…

TRO Beginnings by Kent Crumpley

Contact UsFor more information or to learn how to volunteer or make a donation in support of TRO, visit Kent’s blog at trozarks.blogspot.com or contact: Kent Crumpley, Director Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks 627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802 417-862-3586, ext. 230 kcrumpley@ccozarks.org ccozarks.org

There is still time to Adopt-A-TRO Therapy Horse! For more information call Kent Crumpley 417.862.3586 ext 230 today!

14 Life Together!

Schweitzer United Methodist Church is a congregation dedicated to living our mission statement: transforming lives by making disciples of Jesus Christ. A multi-generational church, SUMC provides many opportuni-ties for people of all ages to make an impact locally and globally by serving others. Schweitzer has long been involved in the Council of Churches of the Ozarks and fully supports the work we are able to do together.

We are a blessed congregation with clear mission and values and a church full of empowered servant-minded people. Our facility and location pro-vide an excellent place where ministry happens seven days throughout the week. We have demonstrated the ability to mobilize and respond in times of natural disasters and other arising community needs in compassion-ate and tangible ways. We appreciate our relationship with the Council of Churches as a means to connect us to other churches living out our service to Christ.

Date established: 1951

Website: www.schweitzerumc.org

Location: 2747 E Sunshine Springfield MO 65804

Membership: 1950

Worship Attendance: 1200

Pastors: Bob Casady, Lead Pastor Lori Lampert, Lead Associate Pastor Jim Mason, Associate Pastor Matt Kerner, Associate Pastor

Schweitzer’s Commitment to Outreach

Outreach is one of the core values at Schweitzer. Every day, people serve inside and outside the walls of Schweitzer to reach those in need. From disaster relief teams and food pantry assistants to teams of people traveling far and wide on mission trips, Schweitzer truly lives out its motto being an A.C.T.S. church- A Church That Serves.

Through the Council of Churches we have a day each month when we staff and provide food for Crosslines. Many regional pantries are being helped by contributions through Schweitzer. We are in partnership with our neighborhood elementary school, Pittman, and have started the Good News after school club there recently. A college ministry team spent their spring break serving hurricane relief in New Orleans. Every summer our youth travel to an area stricken by

poverty or disaster to help others get back on their feet. Our Vacation Bible School each summer has a mission focus as we continue to teach people of all ages the value of serving Christ by serving God’s people.

“Our Mission Statement: Transforming lives by making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our values are: We believe Jesus Christ is the absolute leader of the church. Christ’s spirit of warmth, hospitality and acceptance is extended throughout the church. We actively reach beyond our walls to meet and serve people. We offer multiple worship services to connect persons to God. Everyone is encouraged to participate in small groups and develop a plan of personal spiritual growth. We identify and equip servant leaders to lead and inspire others. All church members actively follow Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Bob Casady

Partner Profile

SchweitzerA United Methodist Church

Life Together! 15

The Council of Churches of the Ozarks is proud to introduce a new book,

Dumb Luck or Divine Guidance: My 31 Years with the Council of Churches of the Ozarks

By Dorsey Levell as told to Wayne Groner

In a folksy, easy-to-read style and a deeply personal account, Dorsey Levell recalls his thirty-one years as founding executive director of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks, taking readers through his successes and his failures. From his early and tentative days with the Council when he was ready to quit because there was no office, no staff and no budget to an an-nual budget of twelve-million-dollars. From the heady days of seemingly unstoppable growth of the Council to the despair of losing his closest friend and co-worker to cancer, divorcing after forty-three years of marriage, being diagnosed with degenerative arthritis, battling personal cancer and under-

going five-way heart bypass surgery. During his tenure the Council created fifteen human service agencies, grew to one-hundred-twen-ty paid staff and more than one-thousand volunteers, and was recognized throughout the United States as a model of effective outreach ministries.

Church Partners Sign Up!Register your church as a partnering congregation in the Council of Churches of the Ozarks 40th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday afternoon, October 18, 2009. Congregations are asked to promote the Council of Churches 40th Anniversary event with a goal to bring about 10% of your average Sunday worship attendance to participate in this community-wide celebration! Please fill out this form and mail to Council of Churches, Attention Verna – PO Box 3947, Springfield, MO 65808.

Church Name: �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Contact Person: ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Contact Email: ����������������������������������������������������� Contact Phone: ������������������������

Please provide our church with more information about serving in FREE Picnic Lunch Provided by the following way(s): r Serving Food r Adult Choir r Youth Choir r Children’s Choir r Video/Photography r Children’s Activities r Parking Attendants r Publicity r Event Set Up r Event Clean UpNote: Volunteers are needed to help serve in all of the areas above. Please share this exciting service opportunity with groups in your church with a desire to serve others within and beyond the local church. For questions call Verna at 417.862.3586.

Dorsey Levell Founding Executive Director

Council of Churches of the Ozarks 40th Anniversary Celebration

Sunday, October 18, 2009 Drury University CampusFeatured Speaker: Shane Claiborne

www.thesimpleway.org/shane/ (Shane Claiborne’s visit is co-sponsored by The Drury University School of Religion)

Divine GuidanceL CKor

or My 31 years with theCouncil of Churches

of the Ozarks

With a Foreword by Dave Hockensmithand an Introduction by John Rush

In a folksy, easy-to-read style and a deeply personal accounting, Dorsey Levell recalls his thirty-one years as founding executive director of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks, Springfield, Missouri. He takes readers through his successes and his failures. From his early and tentative days with the Council when he was ready to quit because there was no office, no staff and no budget, to an annual budget of twelve-million-dollars. From the heady days of seemingly unstoppable growth of the Council, to a fear he would cause its downfall in his despair over the unexpected death from cancer of his closest friend and co-worker. He speaks frankly of his divorce after forty-three years of marriage, being diagnosed with degenerative arthritis, battling prostate cancer, undergoing five-way heart bypass surgery, his nearly three decades as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves, and his love for the outdoors, especially fishing. During his tenure the Council created fifteen human service agencies, grew to more than one-hundred-twenty paid staff and more than one-thousand volunteers, and was recognized through-out the United States as a model of effective outreach ministries.

Dorsey E. Levell and Wayne E. Groner are co-authors of The Pastor’s Guide to Fund-Raising Success (Bonus Books, 1999).

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Cover layout by Eric Baker / Blue Sky DesignHireBlueSky.com

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as told to Wayne E. Gronerby Dorsey E. Levell

Order your advance copy of

Dumb Luck or Divine Guidance at the pre-publication price of $15.95 (plus $3.00 S&H)!

For more information, call 417-862-3586.

Save 20%

Shipping Date Oct. 1, 2009

16 Life Together!

Life Together! is a quarterly publication of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks, designed to inform readers of current community needs and operating agencies activities and recognize donors and volunteers. Life Together! is mailed without charge to anyone interested in the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.

Council of Churches of the Ozarks Dorsey E. Levell Ministry Center of the Ozarks 627 N. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802 MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 3947, Springfield, MO 65808-3947 Phone: 417.862.3586 Email: ccozarks@ccozarks.org Fax: 417.862.2129 Website: www.ccozarks.org

Central Office Staff David W. Hockensmith, Jr., • Executive Director Mark Struckhoff • Director of Advancement • ext. 225 Barbara Gardner • Executive Assistant • ext. 224 Collette Howland • Controller • ext. 232 Paula Austin • Advancement Assistant • ext. 233 Leslie Boughton • Grant Writer • ext. 235 Rosella White • Human Resources Assistant • ext. 238 Janet Garoutte • Receptionist

The Council of Churches Foundation Richard Dunn, President MAILING ADDRESS: 330 N. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806 Phone: 417.839.7450

Council of Churches of the Ozarks PO Box 3947 Springfield, MO 65808-3947

NoN-Profit org. US PoStage

PaId SPriNgfield, Mo

PerMit #772

Sunday, OctOber 18, 2009

The Council of Churches of the Ozarks

40th AnniversaryA Community-Wide Celebration on

Drury University Campus

Featuring

Shane Claiborne Author of

The Irresistible Revolution www.thesimpleway.org/shane/

(Shane Claiborne’s visit is co-sponsored by The Drury University School of Religion)

Council of Churches 40th Anniversary Luncheon

Friday, April 24, 2009 at Drury University

Independent Printing congratulates the Council of Churches of the Ozarks

on 40 years of service to those in need. Thanks!

(417) 862-1530 • 800-730-0023 www.independentprinting.net

Contact CCO to find out more about advertising in

Life Together!

Life Together!