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Works Sunday 
In 1996, Works Sunday was launched by one of UCP's seminary interns, LaVerne
McCain Gill (formerly of Reston, currently Pastor at Webster UCC in Dexter,
Michigan) as part of her congregational training mentored by the Rev. Suzanne
P.M. Rudiselle. The idea was so well received by the community that the project
has continued on an annual basis, with increased participation each year. From
three Protestant churches in 1996, the event has gathered interfaith support
from Jewish, Muslim and Roman Catholic communities. In 2003, there were a dozen
religious groups participating. The projects involved all ages and reached out
to meet a number of needs in the Reston/Herndon area.
In addition to serving our neighbors, Works Sunday helps increase awareness
of local community needs; encourages us to get to know other faith communities;
and involves many volunteers in cooperative effort to make a difference in the
community. Also see http://www.workssunday.org
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LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE
The
Closet, Inc. (845
Station St., Herndon, VA; Hours: Tues./Thurs./Sat. 10am-2pm)
Supported by 17 churches in Herndon, Reston, Sterling and Oakton, The Closet accepts donations of clothing and household items and sells them at nominal prices.
The organization also provides clothes at no charge to needy persons referred by an authorized social service agency, Embry Rucker Community Shelter, or a sponsoring church.
Items not used for sale are trucked to West Virginia where they are repaired and distributed. UCP volunteers are responsible for assisting the staff once
or twice a month. Some UCP volunteers assist the staff every week and serve on the Board. One UCP member is a long-time staff member. For more information call Connie Walbert (703-860-0337;
walbck@earthlink.net).
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 Habitat for Humanity
Members of UCP have been active in local Habitat projects to help low-income families build or refurbish
homes and the church has given this group cash donations.
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Several times a year, UCP conducts blood drives for INOVA Blood Donor Services to assist the many sick and injured patients in this area. INOVA Health Source and Medstar Health Visiting Nurse Association provide flu shots at UCP in the fall.
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Reston Interfaith,
Inc. 
Click here for a list of Reston Interfaith's Volunteer Needs
Reston Interfaith (RI) is a multi-pronged non-profit organization involved in housing, hunger, childcare and advocacy for low- and moderate-income persons that is supported by many religious organizations in the Reston-Herndon area. UCP's first Methodist pastor was instrumental in the founding of this organization. The current President is a UCP member, and UCP has always had representatives on the Board.
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The organization administers the Embry Rucker Community Shelter that offers not only shelter and hot meals, but also educational and social services. RI also provides a number of supportive
social services
such as the
Emergency Food Bank, the Emergency and Self-Sufficiency Services program, the
Our Healthy Families Fairfax program, and the Case Management program. RI runs the
Laurel Learning Center, an accredited childcare center for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as before- and after-school care and summer programs for school-age children. In addition an RI subsidiary, the
Reston Interfaith Housing Corporation (RIHC), helps fund affordable housing for low-income families.
Every first Sunday at UCP, cans and staple foods are collected for the Reston Interfaith food supply. At Christmas, there is a
Mitten Tree to collect mittens for the children at Embry Rucker. In addition, the Missions Ministry sponsors bag lunch assembly for the Shelter.
For Christmas in 2003, UCP also participated in RI's
Adopt-a-Family program.
Emergency
Shelter
Work Report 2007
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Fairfax County
Women's Shelter
The Women's Shelter provides a safe place for abused women
and their children.
So Others Might Eat (SOME)
SOME located in downtown DC provides food programs that feed nearly 1,000 people each day, health and mental health services, an addiction recovery program, job training, transitional and long-term housing, elderly services and advocacy for the homeless.
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Herndon Free Clinic
In July 2003, the Herndon Free Clinic opened for business
in temporary offices at the Herndon Middle School.
Staffed by volunteer healthcare professionals and
community volunteers, the clinic services uninsured
low-income residents of the Herndon area. The
clinic currently provides school admissions physicals
and health screenings, referral to local medical and
social service programs, and health education. One
of our UCP members was involved in the founding
of this organization. |
Training Futures Project
Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) provides office/computer training and job placement in office administration to low-income adult residents of Northern Virginia.
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REGIONAL SERVICE
Kairos Prison Ministry
Kairos, a ministry that stemmed from the Cursillo movement, brings Christ's love and
forgiveness to incarcerated individuals, their families, and those who work in the prison environment. Several UCP members are involved in regular visitation in the prisons for men and women in
Virginia, and work also with their families. UCP members also participate in letter writing to prisoners. An earlier program to provide cookies to inmates, that UCP participated in for many years, has been canceled due to security concerns.
Books Behind Bars
Do you have used books --
fiction or nonfiction, paper or hardback -- that you would be willing to
donate? If so, please bring them to the Redeemer narthex for donation to
the Books Behind Bars program, which is based in Charlottesville, VA. The
program receives over 500 requests a month from men and women in Virginia prisons
asking for books. The books need to be in good condition and contain
no handwriting. Dictionaries and high school textbooks are needed as many
students are studying for their GED. Books by African-American authors are
often specially requested. If you have questions, please contact Marilyn
SIlvey at MarilynSilvey@comcast.net.
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GLOBAL SERVICE
Orphans
of Rwanda, Inc. (ORI)
UCP supports the Orphans of Rwanda which is not-for-profit organization
dedicated to assisting orphans and vulnerable children in Rwanda who have been
affected by the 1994 genocide and diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria. ORI
provides targeted grants to strong local partners that have effective leadership
and clear goals but lack the financial means to implement their plans. Its
partners include orphanages, youth-focused community groups, and other
NGOs.
A fundraiser was held in the spring of
2007
by UCP which resulted in $15,000
being donated to this cause. Learn more at http://orphansofrwanda.org/about.php.
HELPING VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS 
Making Hygiene Kits for Worldwide
Relief
Earthquake in Indonesia - May 27, 2006
UCP
contributed to the Indonesian people affected by the 2006 earthquake. You can help by:
*
Praying for all those affected by recent disasters
*
Make donations to United Christian Parish and we will forward to
Church World
Services. Write CSW in
the memo section of your check.
*
Create hygiene kits or contribute for blankets through CWS www.churchworldservice.org
Hurricane Katrina - Aug.-Sept. 2005
1. Donate through Church World Services (http://www.churchworldservice.org/)
an international ecumenical cooperative humanitarian ministry supported
by 36 denominations, including UCP's 4 partner
churches. Send contribution to: Church World Services, PO
Box 968, Elkart, IN 46515 or use a credit card by calling
800-297-1516.
2. Contribute to the American Red Cross through their
National Disaster Relief Fund.
3. Give to either of our 4 partner
denominations who are sending relief money and support staff.
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 Summer Mission Camp
UCP's Youth Ministry has
participated in building projects at
Camp Alta Mons, the Outdoor Ministry facility of the Roanoke District of the United Methodist Church.
See pictures
of the mission trip to Grove
Park Christian Church in Kinston, NC.
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