GEMS (Gracious Energetic Motivated Servers)

An adult ministry, the Gracious Energetic Motivated Servers (GEMS), is one of Christ Church's most active groups. Each quarter, the GEMS offer opportunities for service, fellowship, and education. Whether you are new to the Christ Church community, or have been attending for years, this is a great way to get connected with wonderful, vital people! For more information, please contact Es Campbell at 954.771.5587, or just join us for a GEMS event. All are welcome.

GEMS UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

GEMS' Spring Friendship Luncheon | May 23, 2012 | 12noon | Coral Ridge Yacht Club

The GEMS' annual Spring Friendship Luncheon will be held at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club, 2800 Yacht Club Blvd, Fort Lauderdale (map). Matt Jackson, Christ Church Worship and Arts Team Leader, will be our guest speaker. All are welcome to join us for fun and fellowship. The cost is $15.00 per person. For reservations, please contact Deanna Gaffney at 954.903.8483, or sign up at the Connecting Table at worship services. The deadline for reservations is Sunday, May 20th.

Back-to-School Backpack Assembly Day | August 13, 2012 | 10am-1pm | FH3-4

This annual project is designed to help children start the school year with the needed tools for learning. GEMS and Student Ministry are teaming together to provide backpacks filled with needed school supplies for children at our partner Title 1 Schools, children at Shepherd’s Way, and others less fortunate. Each year, with the support of our congregation, we seek to provide specifically requested supplies to over 400 children. Shopping, sorting, and organizing begins in July and is culminated each year at the SOS Back to School Backpack Assembly Day scheduled the week before school begins. GEMS and students gather to assemble backpacks and enjoy casual lunch and conversation together.

Flyers listing supplies needed will be provided at the Connecting Table beginning July 21.

GEMS ONGOING ACTIVITIES:

GEMS’ Coffee Café

At least four times each year, servers of all ages are invited to gather in fellowship for informative speakers and morning goodies. On these SOS (Servers Outreach Service) Days, we complete various service projects. There is usually one special themed project for the event and several ongoing projects which need attention.

"Reading Buddies" | School Volunteers

This rewarding experience is available to all who enjoy reading with or to children. Last year's volunteers will also need to update the registration at www.getinvolvedineducation.com. We look forward to having new volunteers join the team. Choice of grade level and flexible scheduling make this a relaxed experience. Join our team and help make reading a wonderful experience for a child. Other opportunities to volunteer as academic ambassadors, mentors or other assistance in the schools are available. Help a child in need to achieve through personal, caring relationships. Contact Es Campbell by email or at 954.771.5587.

GEMS PAST ACTIVITIES:

GEMS Backpack Assembly Day 2011

WOW! What a great day! Forty-six servers gathered together to sort school supplies, assemble the backpacks, and enjoy casual luncheon conversation. The GEMS were also blessed to have five student volunteers who did much running and lifting for the project. Thank you to all who contributed—with product and/or exuberant energy!

Well over 430 students, Pre-K through Middle School, were served. The completed project provided 235 backpacks, 28 “adopt a student” packs for children at Shepherd’s Way, 24 Pre-K packs for Cypress Elementary and Bennett Elementary, and packs for 10 Blessings Pantry and 2 Christ Church referrals. Additional supplies were distributed to schools that were unable to utilize backpacks.

The backpacks were filled with items requested by each school, and generally included notebook paper, composition books, spiral notebooks, folders, dry erase markers, colored markers, pencil pouches, pencils, glue sticks, colored pencils, etc. In total, seven public schools, Shepherd’s Way at Paul’s Place, Blessings Pantry clients, and Christ Church referrals were the recipients of this year's backpack/school supplies drive. Thank you, thank you all around!

"Reading Buddies" | School Volunteers | SERVE.EVERYBODY. 2011 weekend

Reading Buddies were out in force on Friday, March 4^th, at area Title 1 schools, providing a heartwarming and fun adventure for some special children and themselves. Twenty “buddies” visited Bennett Elementary, and eight visited Cypress Elementary. Pompano Middle School hosted five “buddies”, while Pompano Elementary and Sunrise Middle School had one “buddy” each. Many of the new reading buddies have decided to continue this rewarding experience. Another group of volunteers undertook the cleaning and straightening of books and bookshelves at Sunrise Middle School, which continued after the Serve.Everybody. weekend.

GEMS ONGOING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:

Taylor's Closet's Friends. Mixing fellowship with creativity, this team finds helpful projects to encourage and support Taylor's Closet, a clothing outlet for young girls in need, located on our Pompano site. Cookie dough making, furniture refinishing, administrative help and sewing instruction are among the activities this team pursues. Contact Helene Csvany, 954-640-3652 or by email.

Health Kits are used for The Blessings Food Pantry families, homeless individuals and families, and others in need. Travel items and new items are appreciated: shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes with covers, nail clippers, dental floss, combs, new socks, and washcloths. Monetary donations are also accepted, and the GEMS team will do the shopping for you. For more information, please contact Judy Ambrose by email or at 954.771.7126, or Es Campbell by email or at 954.771.5587.

Nursing Home and Shut-In Visitation. Many of our church members are now confined to their homes. We want them to know that they are valued, and not forgotten. Training is provided. To join the Nursing Home and Shut-in Visitation Team, or for more information, please contact Martha Gennett by email or at 954.771.7300.

Shepherd's Son Shine Connection team writes personal notes to members and visitors. For more information, please contact Arlyne Griffin at 954.782.3599.

The Shepherd's Way Family Shelter. Various projects to share love with the parents and children living at The Shepherd's Way Family Shelter. For more information, please contact Judy Ambrose by email or at 954.771.7126. Please click here to visit our The Shepherd's Way page.

Blessings Food Pantry. Peanut butter and honey sandwiches are shared with the homeless and hungry through Christ Church's food pantry on our Pompano Beach site. Non-perishable food and items in flip-top cans are always welcome. For more information, please contact Yvonne Womack at 954.491.0306. Please click here to visit the Blessings Food Pantry page.

Campbell's Soup labels and General Mills box tops will help buy needed supplies (vans, computers, etc.) for the children at Red Bird Mission and Christ Church School. Save the code with the little scholar attached, or just turn in the entire label or box top. No taping or staples, please. The labels go to the mission and the box tops go to CCS. For more information, please contact Jean Henne at 954.566.2740. Please click here to visit the official Red Bird Mission website.

US Service Personnel Projects:

Helmet Caps: Knit or crochet a cap to be worn under the helmets of our service personnel. The caps, which provide comfort and warmth, are greatly appreciated by our overseas service personnel. Instructions are simple and patterns are available. Contact Veronica Cleaver at 954.481.9601.

Smiles 4 GIs: Mail Call is sometimes silent for some of our deployed service personnel. Add a personal touch to packages sent overseas by writing a note of encouragement and appreciation for their service to our country. contact Es Campbell by email or at 954.771.5587.