Community Outreach
Service projects are an important (but often overlooked) part of GCF. Community Service is our opportunity to turn our attentions away from ourselves, and offer something to those in need. We want to model Jesus Christ in His ministering to people in need, and to actively obey the Biblical call to "love thy neighbor" (as listed in James, the Gospels, etc...).
A component of the four commitments of Graduate Christian Fellowship is witness and service. Because of our commitment to Christ, we are called to care for one another not only in word but in deed. Through our freedom in Christ, we are able to serve each other whole-heartedly.
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." (Galatians 5:13)
It is this, God's love, that compels us to show that same love for others. There is no boasting nor expectation of a reward in return. Instead, it is a way for us to express our faith and commitment to Christ and to all people, believers and non-believers alike.
"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3: 16-18)
While in grad school (vet, law school, etc.) you may find it fulfilling to be involved in the lives of others through serving them. We have been given a great opportunity to influence the lives of those around us, at school, in the lab, and in the community. One of these ways is through serving by whatever means arises. I encourage you all take advantage of these opportunities and to seek out ways to serve others.
For more information contact Heather Edvenson (hme7 ©REMOVE THIS PHRASE· c ornell· ed u )
If you know of
any service opportunities, please let me know and I will make them
known to the group. They could be through your church, friends, the
newspaper, the radio, etc. They could also be anything you feel is a
service/witness occasion, from painting fence to walking dogs to
supporting an organization to visiting with people.... They do not
always have to be through a religious organization or Christ-centered;
this is a great way to witness and show our servant hearts for all
people. We want to reach all with the love of God and demonstrate
His, and therefore our, concern for them. Again, please contact
me with any information. You don't
need to be organizing it or participating in it, just help get the
word out. Thanks!
Projects
GCF currently commits time each month to serve the poor in the Ithaca community by cooking and serving weekend meals at the local Salvation Army center. GCF also participates on annual basis with the Salvation Army's holiday bell ringing.
Specific details on these and other services projects are distributed on the GCF E-mail list.
Links
Here are some sites for several mission/service agencies. We encourage you to browse through them and read their mission statements along with their current work. We welcome any additional suggestions for links. Please e-mail them to Heather Edvenson (hm e 7©REMOVE THIS PHRASE· c or ne l l·e d u).
- Local Service Opportunities - This site is a fairly comprehensive listing of all the local organizations taking volunteers. They are ordered by category, so you can see if a particular type of service you would like to participate in is available. Each organization has a brief description, information on what is required by the volunteer, and contact information. Please take a look!
- Bread for the World
- Food for the Hungry
- Pura Vida Coffee
- International Justice Mission
- Christian Veterinary Mission
- World Vision International
- Target Earth International
- Center for Public Justice
- Mennonite Central Committee
- Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Last updated June 15, 2009
Please address comments and suggestions to Steve Hicks
(sd h 33©REMOVE THIS PHRASE· c orne l l ·e du)