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| Compassion |
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As followers of Jesus Christ it's our job to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. This is why Vineyard Church Dungannon exists, what we do, when we do it, we bring Gods rule and reign to that situation to that moment. You and I bring in this revolution. That's what Vineyard has chosen to spend our lives on. Why wouldn't you want to bring beauty to brokenness?
Through our Compassion ministry we continue to dream, explore and envisage what our towns, villages and nation would look like if we got serious about bridging the gap between the community and God's authentic community called the Church.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
1 John 1: 1-2
John appeals to the human senses, engages the physical for proof, the reality of God and life. Bridging the gap means there must be a physical reality. Our dream for what we do through our compassion ministry is that people will say "we have seen, touched and heard.
REACH
Responding to the Assembly Report of Dec 2007 citing Dungannon and South Tyrone as one of the areas "most likely" to experience child poverty in Northern Ireland we set up REACH to provide emergency support to families and individuals in need.
REACH offers families and individuals practical, emotional and spiritual support in their time of need. We help with groceries, baby essentials, home heating and often furniture. REACH partners with many local agencies, such as Sure Start, De Paul Hostel, Women's Aid, St Vincent de Paul, and Social Services to name a few.
For more information about 'REACH' or to make a referral please call Sharon, our Family Support Worker, on 028 8775 2133 or email
sharon@vineyarddungannon.co.uk.
Engage
The 'Compassion Project' actually began life as a response to meeting older people who were feeling lonely and isolated as we went round the doors giving free items away, like chocolate eggs at Easter, candles at Christmas, or milk on a Saturday morning, to simply say 'God loves you'.
Volunteers would visit the older people we had met and deliver groceries, have a cup of tea or coffee and basically be a listening ear.
We have also been involved in visiting some of the local nursing homes and doing Sunday services, as well as doing practical work during our 'Crash' community week in August each year.
In Isaiah 58v7 God clearly tells His people, "not to turn away from your own flesh and blood." In our fast paced, entertainment driven and self focused society, we are doing exactly what God said not to do. As a church we have made a commitment to "loose the chains of injustice" and 'engage' will seek to fight for the rights of older people and create a platform from which their voice will be heard, respected and acted upon.
As part of our desire to enable and empower older people to have control over their own lives, Vineyard Church Dungannon has linked up with Access To Benefits, a fabulous organisation which is trying to secure financial justice for anyone over 60.
Are you over 60? Have you ever wondered what benefits you might be entitled to?
With A2B's online benefits calculator, you or someone you trust can go onto the web and check your entitlements safely in a few easy steps. It's free, simple and, best of all, it's anonymous. Go to http://vineyarddungannon.a2b.org.uk
The website's calculator provides results for all the main benefits available to older people in Northern Ireland. This includes Pension Credit, Housing Benefit for rent and/or rates and Rate Relief. In addition it can also indicate entitlement to a range of other benefits including SmartPass, Free Television Licence and Lone Pensioner Allowance.
To arrange a chat with Vineyard Church Dungannon's A2B team please call 028 8775 2133 or email info@vineyarddungannon.co.uk. Please make sure that you say the call or email is about A2B and one of the A2B team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
The CAP centre in Dungannon is operated in partnership with Vineyard Church Dungannon. If anyone in the local community needs help and is struggling with debt, they can call CAP's freephone number on 0800 328 0006 to book an appointment with the Dungannon centre.
Is CAP just for Christians?
NO! CAP will help anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. CAP aims to ensure that nobody receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, nationality, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.
From left to right: Peter McCammon (CAP Dungannon), Helen Johnson (CAP Centre Development Manager), Alison Flanagan (CAP Dungannon), Will MacLaughlin (CAP Dungannon) Official Launch, November 1st 2009 at Vineyard Church Dungannon.
Does it cost anything?
NO! Our service is completely free. However we always offer people the opportunity to give donations to the charity so we can help more families. This is completely voluntary and will not be forced upon you.
Will my creditors cooperate with you?
YES! We are an award winning charity and we are recognised within the finance industry. This means that banks, utilities and mortgage companies work with us because they have seen the results of our involvement. They know we offer fair repayments based on what you can afford.
If you are interested in volunteering with the CAP centre in Dungannon, either through prayer support or becoming a befriender then please call Vineyard Church Dungannon office on 028 8775 2133 or email info@vineyarddungannon.co.uk making it clear that you're interested in 'Christians Against Poverty', and one of the CAP team will get back to you as soon as possible.
www.capuk.org/
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