Local Missions Newsletter

Let us choose to reflect on thankfulness this November. Let us learn what it looks like to walk in a way of gratitude. God is good and provides for His people. This November let us think of ways we can live in gratitude with our people- whether it's volunteering with Operation Christmas Child, serving at the Table on Delk, or inviting neighbors over a meal. We get to live in gratitude because of who God is and what He has done for us. Let Psalm 136:1-3 be our meditation this November: 

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever."

Operation Christmas Child

We are so excited to be partnering Operation Christmas Child again this year. November 13-20 is National Collection Week, and JF is a collection site for OCC, we need your help! Volunteers will be assisting in collecting, boxing, and preparing to ship completed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Check out the Sign Up to find a time serve with you and your people!

Foster Child Christmas Gifts

Join us in serving the Foster Care Family Community! Shop for gifts for a child in the care of the Cobb County Department of Family Services (DFCS). Register here and you will be sent a wish list for a child; all gifts need to be dropped off in the Magnolia Room on November 27. 

If you would like to volunteer with receiving gifts, checking off lists, bagging and delivering the toys to DFCS you can sign up for a time slot here. We need your help!

Childcare For Refugee Mothers Taking  ESL
We have an urgent need for at least 2 female childcare volunteers as refugee mothers attend a newly started ESL class on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm, in Stone Mountain. This is a great way to care for our refugee friends as they are learning English. If you feel led to step in, or if you know someone who would be great and willing to do childcare, please contact Denice Earle.

21st Annual MUST Gobble Jog
Do you enjoy running and helping our community? The MUST Ministries Gobble Jog is a great idea for you and your people. MUST Ministries is experiencing the greatest food need in its 51-yeasr history. There are many ways that you can be involved in this year's Gobble Jog, check out their website. Use this code to get a $5 discount on any race this year- JFBC23.

Love's Latitude 
Help us share Jesus this holiday season with our refugee friends in Clarkston!  Looking for ways to serve with your group or family?   If you have never been to Clarkston, you don't want to miss out on these great opportunities!

• Ornament Sorting | November 8, 10 a.m.-Noon & November 9, 1 p.m-3p.m. Help sort and pack more than 2,000 ornaments for new refugee families celebrating Christmas for the first time. 
• Christmas Tree Set-up | December 1-4 various times | Deliver and help set-up Christmas trees in the apartment complex. Email us for signup/setup times at loveslatitude@outlook.com
•  Purchase a Christmas Tree | Use this link to purchase for our refugee families.  New trees from this link only are needed for consistency and ornament prep. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-6-5-ft-Pre-Lit-LED-Festive-Pine-Artificial-Christmas-Tree-22HD30002/319322524

Trees should be shipped or dropped off to arrive no later than 11-29 (No shipments or drop -off during Thanksgiving week)

 -- Jim and Jeanne Slaughenhoup 3551 Winfair Place Marietta, GA 30062

 There are several opportunities to serve in Clarkston with our partners, Love's Latitude. Email Jim & Jeanne Slaughenhoup at Love's Latitude to serve in Clarkston. Check out the opportunities to serve refugees:

•   ESL Classes in Clarkston
  ESL classes will be held at the Johnson Ferry ministry apartment in Clarkston. Here are the dates and times that classes meet:
  - Monday Mornings: 10am-noon
  - Thursday Evenings: 6:30pm-8pm 
  - Saturday Mornings: 8am-10am
  - Sunday Mornings: 8am-10am 
  - Wednesday Evenings: 6:30pm-8pm 

•   Bicycles
  If you have any new or gently used bicycles that are in good working order, they could be used in Clarkston. All sizes are needed. Please email Susi Saddik if you have any bicycles you would like to donate. 

•   Christmas Ornaments
  We are beginning Holiday preparations for refugee families and that includes Christmas trees. The trees are not needed, but we are looking for new or gently used unbreakable ornaments. If you have any ornaments, consider donating them to Love's Latitude for our refugee friends in Clarkston.

Table on Delk 
The Table on Delk provides a safe place for those who are currently, or at risk of, being sexually exploited to have a meal and get connected to resources that they might not know about. Volunteers are needed to prepare food and to show our guests the Father's love. Check out the Table's website to see volunteer opportunities. 

The year is coming to an end, but there are many opportunities to go on a trip in 2024.  God takes our "yes" and turns it into something life-changing. Check out the mission trips below and be praying about going on one. We will be adding trips throughout the rest of this year and for 2024, check out the JF Website to learn more and register for a trip today!

Peru: March 2-9 | College students will be partnering with Living Mission by sharing Christ in local villages and putting on VBS.

South Asia: March 8-16 | The team will in engage in spiritual conversations with adults within the city.

Nicaragua: March 16-23 | Adults and families will be partnering with Chosen Children ministries to share Christ with Bible teaching, VBS, door to door evangelism, feeding and construction.