Vineyard Central Gatherings Team Meeting – The Gatherings Team will meet this Wednesday evening (May 26th) at 7 in the church. If you’d like to be involved in the monthly Sunday services, we are always in need of willing hands. (and brains.)  The next gathering is coming up on June 6 – please consider lending a hand.  And sign up for the potluck!

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Join the Healing Center with their Hunger Walk on Monday, May 31!  Your participation will earn food credits for the Healing Center; every dollar raised provides four healthy meals for families in need.  Get more info at healingcentercincinnati.com/hungerwalk/

For the past few months Vineyard USA has been coordinating a thoughtful, practical response to the catastrophe in Haiti. On May 25 a large shipping container will be sent to Haiti with materials for reconstruction work. If you want to be part of a team that travels to Haiti to participate in the construction phase of this project, there are still opportunities. Below you will find a listing of the types of skilled labor that would be helpful.

June 28 – July 16: Concrete Finishers, Concrete Laborers, Equipment Operators, Electricians, Plumbers and general labor.

July 19 – Aug. 20: Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers and general labor.

Aug. 23 – Sept.15: Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, Tile Setters, Painters, and general labor.

For detailed information on how to sign up as an individual or as a team please visit the Mercy Response website.

The following is a message from Mary Ellen Mitchell:

It seems like a great time to put the newly re decorated children’s room to more use. My thought is some kind of “play and pray” activity for the 0-5 crowd, that would be kind of like library story time meets sunday school. After talking with some other parents, I’ve also sensed a need for more structured time for kids to share faith together in VC, so I thought this might be an easy start.

We’ll try every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, starting June 8th

11:30 -12:00 (packed) lunch together
12:00-12:30 Story time/ Activity
12:30-1 Open play

I would be willing to put together the first couple of stories/ activities and then maybe different parents could take turns. It wouldn’t have to be anything big, just a story, maybe a bible verse, a song and/or a prayer.

Jeff Rogers, a pastor at the Batesville Vineyard, alerted us to a hospitality request.  A member of that church is in need of a place to stay, preferably near Children’s Hospital.  From the request, it sounds like a married couple just needs a place to stay during their son’s medical treatments.

If you are interested in responding to this situation, get in touch with Jeff:  jrogers@batesvillevineyard.com

The following is a message from Robert, a VC newcomer:

Hello, my name is Robert Lockridge.  I am new to VC, to Norwood and to Ohio.  I grew up in Virginia and recently moved here from Vancouver, BC. Since moving in with Dave and Jody two weeks ago, I’ve been preparing much of the land around the Convent for planting.  I am a parish farmer and lay pastor; my hopes are to become a part of the neighborhood and the community by growing food for and with those who call this place home.

This coming Monday (17 May) I’ll be receiving a delivery of rich, composted soil to the Lincoln Ave. side of St. E’s courtyard.  You’re welcome to come by with a wheelbarrow and help yourself.  Though the compost is freely given by the village of Greenhills, having it hauled here is not free; therefore if you’re able, please leave $ 5 at the Convent for every two heaping wheelbarrows of composted soil you cart away.  (That being said, if you want some and you can’t afford it, by all means, have some for free.)

Also, if anyone is interested in helping me wheelbarrow compost to the beds around the Convent, I’d happily welcome your help and company.  I’m grateful for having met many of you and I look forward to meeting the rest of you in the coming days and months.

Shaina Horner sent in this event:

Date: May 8th, 2010

Time: 11:30 am—3pm

Place: Millcrest Park in Norwood:
1700 Hopkins Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45212

To bring:

• A side dish to share; hamburgers, hotdogs, and drinks will be provided.
• A picture of your mother to share.

Program: On this Mothers Day weekend, mothers here and across the world will be separated from their children and worrying about their chance to make their dreams come true by going to college…all due to the U.S.’s broken immigration system.  Join us as we gather with food, music, and activities to honor mothers and push our Senators to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform this year!