Southwood Lutheran Church

Come, Eat, and Serve!

Southwood is doing something different this year for the Lenten Meals! For each meal we are focusing on one of Southwood’s Hunger Ministries by sharing serving stories, statistics, and ways that people can get involved. Also, in partnership with the Fellowship Team, volunteers will be serving the same meal that is served by our volunteers. A free will offering will be collected and all proceeds will be donated to the featured Hunger Ministry.

Our featured Hunger Ministry on March 30th is the Backpack Program.

Quotes from Backpack Students

“It helps give my family food because we needed it. We don’t have that much food so it really helped. We really liked the juice can things.”  –Athena

“Food program is helping us save some money because we are trying to go to California to see my cousin. Before the backpack program we didn’t have that much food.”   –Elijah

“It has helped us save some money and food. Before the backpack program we did not have enough time to go grocery shopping.”   –Alba

“It saves us money so we can rent a van. I kind of like the food. It gives us more food to feed our family.”   –Lennell

“I think it is cool that I get to share the food with my family. My mom likes it when she cooks the food. She likes to know where it comes from.”   –Le Dereyn

“I like to share the food with my sister and my brother. I love the food that is in it. I share with my mom and dad too! I love the oatmeal in the back pack—it is yummy.”   
–Sarah

“I like how they give us food each week. They give us vouchers, so we can go buy food.”
–Rice

“I am thankful that I get a backpack. I am thankful for the healthy food they give us and the juice.”  
–Josina

BackPack Program Facts:

• In 2010, Southwood provided 2,100 backpacks to Saratoga Elementary which is approximately 10,500 meals.
• There are 1,877 LPS kids in the Backpack Program
• There are a total of 14,851 K-12 kids participating in LPS free and reduced lunch, 7,825 are in elementary school.
• In 2010, 73,403 backpacks were handed out. At 5 meals per day, this equals 367,015 
• In Lancaster County there were 9,596 kids living in poverty in 2009, which is an increase of 23% from the numbers in 2008.
• In Nebraska, 1 in 5 homes with children are at risk of hunger.


Want to Serve with the BackPack Program?

Southwood provides funding and volunteers to bring 60 food-filled BackPacks every Friday to children in need at Saratoga Elementary School. You can get involved by:

• Sorting and packing food—Sundays at noon in the Fellowship Hall
• Delivering food to Saratoga—Thursday afternoons
• Distributing BackPacks – Friday afternoons

Contact: Marin Salisbury to serve!

Come, Eat, and Serve!

Southwood is doing something different this year for the Lenten Meals! For each meal we are focusing on one of Southwood’s Hunger Ministries by sharing serving stories, statistics, and ways that people can get involved. Also, in partnership with the Fellowship Team, volunteers will be serving the same meal that is served by our volunteers. A free will offering will be collected and all proceeds will be donated to the featured Hunger Ministry.

Our featured Hunger Ministry on March 16th is the Food Distribution Program.

Please enjoy this volunteer's experience serving at the Food Distribution:

I hold up two fingers for the ones who don’t speak my language, repeating again and again, “Two from the table, take two, take two please.” When I don’t announce it they ask, “How many?” and I answer, smiling, “You can take two—one bread, one sweet…or if you want, two breads or two sweets.”

The line snakes around the room, down the hallway and out the door. For nearly two and a half hours they keep coming—elderly couples; families with two, three, five kids; disabled men limping; Hispanics, Middle Easterners, Russians, African-Americans, Caucasians. They wear flowing, floor-length gowns and head coverings; cardigans buttoned tight; faded Army jackets; business slacks; platform heels.

Where does all the food come from, I wonder, glancing at cases stacked high, a forklift maneuvering a crate. Then I notice the black stamps, past use-by dates, the day before. Food deemed not good enough.

I watch a mother waver as her three kids, eyes on glazed donuts, beg for treats, a pleading high-pitch chorus. Holding two loaves of bread, she puts one back, picks up the largest box of donuts. When we meet each other’s eyes I smile. I’ve waged, and lost, that grocery store battle, too ... although I’ve never had to put one item back to select another. I’ve never had to make that choice.

They linger, waiting to see if a rare treasure—a frosted cake, a Boston cream pie—will emerge from the cardboard boxes. Rowan knows when he pulls something good from the crates. “Now this is what I’m talking about!” he shouts, outstretched arms holding a glazed Bundt cake. Most times when Rowan carries over a treasure—Paul Deen butterscotch brownies, cupcakes frosted scarlet—I quickly place it on the table. I don’t want to have to choose who gets the prize.

Late that night when all is dark and quiet and the house sleeps, I toss and turn restless, pushing back images of serpentine lines, grocery carts, tired faces, pleading kids. I think about mumbled thank-yous and downcast eyes. And as I stare wide-eyed at lunar silver, I think about tomorrow’s breakfast table in the house across town, day‑old donuts passed around. They accept with gratitude that which I deem not nearly good enough.

Michelle DeRusha

Food Distribution Statistics:

• In 2008, the program distributed a little more than 1 million pounds of food.
• In 2009, the program distributed 1,612,805 pounds of food, an increase of about 60%.
• The Neighborhood Food Distribution serves over 24,000 families (unduplicated) each year.
• In 2010, Southwood’s volunteers served over 8,000 people on our volunteer nights.
• An individual will receive approximately 11.4 pounds of food at the Neighborhood Food Distribution.

Want to serve at the Food Distribution?

Southwood's volunteers distribute food boxes directly to the people who need it at the Center for People in Need's warehouse (3901 North 27th Street) on the 1st and 5th Tuesday of each month at 4:00 P.M.  This is a great family service opportunity.

Contact Merlyn Schuster to get involved!

Year of the Child

Heart to Honduras has made 2011 the “Year of the Child”. Southwood works alongside Heart to Honduras and this year we will make a great impact on behalf of the little ones—the ones who suffer the most when there is poverty, inadequate healthcare, poor education, and lack of safe drinking water. Southwood is working on the largest project in the 10+ years we have been serving in Honduras—replacing a severely inadequate water system in La Ceibita.

Consider this…Unsafe drinking water steals the lives of 5,500 people each day—more than war, natural disasters, aids or even hunger. Yet, it rarely makes the headlines in the newspaper, nor does it circulate in water cooler conversations in the workplace. It is a silent killer—one that quietly preys on the world’s most marginalized and forgotten people.

Water. We drink it. We cook with it. We use it to wash our hands. We use it to shower. We use it for laundry and dishes. We use it to wash our cars and our pets. We water our lawns with it. And we even fill up swimming pools and play in it.

The truth is, clean water is an integral part of life as we know it. Now imagine this—what would life be like without it? What would life be like if all we had was dark, murky, bacteria-infested water? Would you drink it? Would anyone drink it?

For more than 884 million people, one in every eight, this is reality. For them, water is not a source of abundant life, health and well-being as it is for us. Rather, it is the birthing ground for sickness and disease. Water, as they know it, strips them of opportunities for education and work, and contributes to an endless cycle of poverty and despair. This is the global water crisis, and it steals the lives of nearly 5,500 people each day, most of them children.

Southwood is helping to solve this problem in La Ceibita. Because of this project, every person in LaCeibita will have access to safe drinking water in their homes each day. Please keep this project in your prayers.

Todd Stark

This spring and summer, teams from Southwood will be traveling to Honduras and Tanzania. The Lent and Easter offerings will support this mission work by aiding in the construction of Christ homes, providing medical and dental care, education opportunities and vacation bible school. For more information regarding Southwood’s Global Mission work or to get involved, contact Nicole Mroczek.

Come, Eat, and Serve - What an Opportunity!

Southwood is doing something different this year for the Lenten Meals! For each meal we are focusing on one of Southwood’s Hunger Ministries by sharing serving stories, statistics, and ways that people can get involved. Also, in partnership with the Fellowship Team, volunteers will be serving the same meal that is served by our volunteers. A free will offering will be collected and all proceeds will be donated to the featured Hunger Ministry.

Our featured Hunger Ministry on March 16th is Matt Talbot.

Please enjoy this volunteer's experience serving at Matt Talbot:

What an opportunity!

Serving at Matt Talbot is an opportunity! It is an opportunity to meet people that one might not normally meet; people who have put their pride aside and accepted the gifts offered at Matt Talbot Kitchen. Some are in need of basic food and have come to partake in the noon and evening meals. Others come with needs that we often take for granted like showers, laundry, phone service, and education. Even though they may have put their pride aside to walk through the Matt Talbot doors, they do retain it as they jump in to help wherever needed. They are very gracious in extending their thanks for a meal or any gift they have received.

It is also an opportunity to meet other members of Southwood. Some who are acquaintances and some who are not. It is particularly exciting to see how everyone, no matter their background or current circumstances, is determined to help, no matter what the task. In addition, no matter the mix, they work wonderfully with each other.

It is also an opportunity to work with the staff at Matt Talbot. These people are gracious, kindhearted and dedicated to the people they serve. Their first and foremost concern is helping their clients in whatever way possible. They extend these same attitudes to the volunteers who serve alongside them.

Finally, it is an opportunity and blessing to see the whole group of people gathered together, waiting to serve or to be served, bow their heads to hear a prayer of thanks before the meal begins. Of course, not everyone hears the call to prayer, but all can hear the words of thanks and gratitude to our Lord for provision of the meal and for the provision of the opportunity of Matt Talbot Kitchen. There we all are gathered together as God's family, acknowledging Him for all He has done. It is a reminder of that great heavenly feast where all who believe gather, where all must put aside their pride to enter, to receive the greatest gift off all! What an opportunity! Thanks be to God!

Leigh Porter

In 2010, Matt Talbot:

• Served 2,362 People in 2010 through their Outreach and Prevention Programs.
• Provided 94,698 Nutritious Meals and 19,429 Services (Southwood Served over 1,500 meals)
• Served 360 Homeless Children (15% of all clients are children)


Want to Serve Meals at Matt Talbot?
Southwood partners with Matt Talbot by preparing and serving a meal on the 4th Tuesday and 5th Friday of each month. You can get involved by:

• Providing cookies or cleaned, wrapped potatoes for baking
• Helping at Matt Talbot to prepare, serve, and/or clean up for the meal

Sign-up at the Southwood Serves Wall or contact Leigh Porter for more information.



 

Come, Eat and Serve!

Southwood is doing something different this year for the Lenten Meals! For each meal we are focusing on one of Southwood’s Hunger Ministries by sharing serving stories, statistics, and ways that people can get involved. Also, in partnership with the Fellowship Team, volunteers will be serving the same meal that is served by our volunteers. A free will offering will be collected and all proceeds will be donated to the featured Hunger Ministry.

Our featured Hunger Ministry on March 9th is Meals on Wheels.

Please enjoy this family’s experience of serving Meals on Wheels:

When we were asked to consider Meals on Wheels, we didn’t know exactly what to expect. We were hopeful it would be a positive experience and it has turned out to be much more enriching than we anticipated.

It has been enlightening to see some of the residents of Lincoln with a different set of eyes, seeing how people in need live “in our own backyard”. The conditions they live in are not always ideal, but it helps our family appreciate all God has given us.

When it is our turn to serve, the kids eagerly take turns to deliver the items…almost to the point of arguing and fighting whose turn it is. Overall our kids enjoy helping others. It is encouraging to see that they gain satisfaction from serving others.

When our daughter, Anne, reflected on her serving experience she said “I think Meals on Wheels is a very good experience and it has given me a good feeling. I loved meeting new people and knowing I made a difference in someone’s life.”

Our daughter, Brynn, commented “I thought it was cool how we went to a woman’s house who couldn’t hear very well. I liked it. I also liked walking and seeing all the people that we delivered meals to because we were helpful.”

It hasn’t always been easy for our family due to scheduling conflicts or one of the kids having a “bad day”, but it is something we could do as a family and serve others.

Larry and Gina Fuelberth
Anne, Brynn and Nolan 

Meals on Wheels Statistics:

• Southwood’s volunteers deliver 34 routes each month, which averages out to about 510 meals every month
• 67 and 70% of Meals on Wheels clients cannot afford to pay for their meals
• Meals on Wheels serves 2,600 meals per week.
• Meals are delivered 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Meals are prepared fresh each day in Tabitha’s kitchen
• Each meal costs $5.50

Want to Serve Meals on Wheels? Brighten someone’s day with your kindness! Deliver meals provided by Tabitha to members of our community who cannot cook for themselves.

• Volunteer's delivers a hot, noon meal to individuals in Lincoln who are homebound or recovering from an injury or illness.
• Deliver a food box that includes staple food items with nutritious meals to individuals who are homebound. Volunteers must be able to lift 30 pounds.

To volunteer, contact Rhoda Claridge.

1 Potato, 2 Potato, 3 Potato, 4 ...

Southwood Lutheran is known for its service to the community and the world. The church’s small groups play an important role in this mission. Some service projects are regular and routine while others are more unique and less frequent.

An example of the more unique project took place back in September when small group members Jerry and Connee Frahm, their grandson Jackson Luedtke, and Stewart and Claudia Livers with the help of Dean and Maria Eisenhauer took on the task of digging potatoes for the Lincoln Food Bank. The project took place at the Eisenhauer family farm near Burr, Nebraska. In a matter of two short hours the group dug 317 pounds of potatoes which were later brushed cleaned for delivery to the Food Bank. People in need received fresh-from-the-Nebraska-field produce!

This is just another example of how we can use our talents to serve others! Do you dig it?

 … 5 Potato, 6 Potato, 7 Potato, More!

More and more people are finding out the great things about joining a small group:

• Get to know 6-10 other people from Southwood who are in the same age and stage of life as you.
• Knowing other people makes a big church like Southwood feel much smaller.
• Growing in God’s word is much more fun to do with a group of people.
• Serving together allows you to be creative, use your gifts, and reach out to a world in need. Do you dig it?
• Small groups give you a place to process the questions you have about living out your Christian faith.


Get connected to a group!

Come to the connection event on Sunday, February 6, at 6:30 p.m. in Southwood’s Fellowship Hall.

Our upcoming study will be digging into the book of Jonah. Discuss with your small group why Jonah got swallowed by a “really big fish” and what that means for you!

The Grocery Store

Michelle DeRusha writes a daily blog about finding faith in the everyday at Graceful. Michelle recently wrote about her experience volunteering at the Neighborhood Food Distribution with her son.  She is letting us post it on Southwood's blog.

I hold up two fingers for the ones who don’t speak my language, repeating again and again, “Two from the table, take two, take two please.” When I don’t announce it they ask, “How many?” and I answer, smiling, “You can take two – one bread, one sweet…or if you want, two breads or two sweets.” Most seem happy with this declaration of two.

The line snakes around the room, down the hallway and out the door. For nearly two and a half hours they keep coming – elderly couples shuffling with canes; families with two, three, five kids; disabled men limping; Hispanics, Middle Easterners, Russians, African-Americans, Caucasians. They wear flowing, floor-length gowns and head coverings; cardigans buttoned tight and sturdy shoes; faded Army jackets; business slacks and skirts; platform heels. One line splits into two like a stream, and they file by on both sides of the tables, pushing grocery carts, taking eagerly what we have already rejected.

Where does all the food come from, I wonder, glancing at cases stacked high, cardboard boxes, a forklift maneuvering a crate of grapefruit.

Then I notice the black stamps, past use-by dates – yesterday, the day before. Food discarded, deemed not good enough.

Rowan and I man the bread and sweets table, mounding loaves of honey wheat, Kaiser rolls, croissants and bagels, towering stacks of donuts, pies, cookies and cakes.

I watch a mother waver as her three kids, eyes on glazed donuts and frosted cupcakes, beg for treats, a pleading high-pitch chorus. Holding two loaves of bread, she puts one back, picks up the largest box of donuts and places it in the bottom of her cart. When we meet each other's eyes I smile. I've waged, and lost, that grocery store battle, too ... although I've never had to put one item back to select another. I've never had to make that choice.

They linger, waiting to see if a rare treasure – a frosted cake, a Boston cream pie – will emerge from the cardboard boxes. A woman slowly removes her jacket, folds it neatly over the handle of her shopping cart, smoothes the wrinkles. She's stalling. The supervisor urges her to make her selection and move along.

 Rowan knows when he pulls something good from the crates. “Now this is what I’m talking about!” he shouts, outstretched arms holding a glazed Bundt cake festooned with rainbow sprinkles. The people in line chuckle, but before I can even set it on the table the woman on my right reaches out, asks quietly, “Can I have that?” And I answer yes, placing it in her hands.

Most times when Rowan carries over a treasure – Paul Deen butterscotch brownies, cupcakes frosted scarlet and sapphire, squished only a little bit – I quickly place it on the table. I don’t want to have to choose who gets the prize.

When I spot one lady select two breads and one sweet, I look the other way. I don’t tell her no, just two total. I don't hold up two fingers. I don’t ask that she put one back, even though I am supposed to because I am the treat police.

I don’t want to say no, even though it’s not fair to the others. When another woman two back in line points this out, I smile weakly, shrug a little, palms up. “I’m sorry,” I say. “I’m new. This is my first night.” She smiles at me, picks up a plastic container of chocolate-glazed donuts and moves on.

Late that night when all is dark and quiet and the house sleeps, I toss and turn restless, pushing back images of serpentine lines, grocery carts, tired faces, pleading kids.

I think about brown eyes, long lashes, small hands on dented cupcake containers.

I think about mumbled thank-yous and downcast eyes.

I think about wilted lettuce and the expired bread, bruised apples and brown pears.

And as I stare wide-eyed at lunar silver, I think about tomorrow’s breakfast table in the house across town, day-old donuts passed around.

They accept with gratitude that which I deem not nearly good enough.

You can read more of Michelle's writing on her blog Graceful.

Southwood Serves at the Neighborhood Food Distrubition on the first and fith Tuesday's of each month at 4:00 p.m.  Upcoming dates are November 30 and December 7.  Sign-up at the Southwood Serves Wall or contact Merlyn Schuster.

Perfect Excuse Not to Cook - Pancake Feed

Saratoga Elementary School is hosting a pancake feed of Thursday, October 21 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. in Saratoga's Cafeteria (2215 South 13th Street). Proceeds will benefit Saratoga's playground fund. 

Cost is $2 for 2 pancakes and 2 sausages.

Bring your friends, family and small groups to dine together to support the students at Saratoga Elementary school. 

 

Eat FREE and Support TeamMates!

Tomorrow, October 6, Qdoba is opening a brand new location downtown at 12th & P Streets and is hosting a party for Lincoln TeamMates! Come eat for free between 5:30-8:00 P.M.  All donations will benefit Lincoln TeamMates. 

Dine Out to Help Out

90 restaurants are donating 10% of their proceeds to the FoodBank on Wednesday, September 8! To view a complete list of restaurants visit: http://www.lincolnfoodbank.org/dine_out.php

Every dollar counts! For every $1 received, the Food Bank can distribute $7 worth of food to the community.

Thank you for supporting the Food Bank of Lincoln!