Dear Friends,

The Holidays bring with them many exciting things at Mosaic, as well as
the cold. We had our Thanksgiving dinner with many of our homeless and
near-homeless friends last Monday night, and we want to send a special
thanks to all of our volunteers that helped serve! We couldn’t have
done it without you! MCD is looking forward to celebrating all of our
volunteers, donors and partners on December 11th at our Miracle on 13th
Street celebration, appreciating all that you you do and how much we
love all of you. We also have the Silent Art Auction coming up December
12-13 and all of the artists have agreed to donate 100% of their
proceeds, which is a great blessing! Please be praying for us as we are
busy with holiday plans and please pray for our friends who often
struggle this season to find hope and warmth in the midst of harsh
weather and lonely, silent nights.

Park Avenue

Let’s start with a few updates!

MCD has been collaborating with and facilitating the efforts of a group faith leaders from 15 Park Avenue area faith communities and organizations since January 2008; after several months of brainstorming, polling and discussing we are pleased to announce that this group is now named Neighbors United!

As winter quickly approaches, many of our Park Avenue neighbors are without adequate cold weather clothing.  Neighbors United is collecting winter clothing to be distributed at the Community Meals, and you can help by donating new and gently used winter clothing items.  All donations should be taken directly to First Baptist Church (421 Park Avenue), the Community Meals location. The First Baptist Church office is open from 9:00 – 3:00, Monday – Friday and 11:00 – 1:30, every Saturday.  Here is a list of needed items:

For all ages and sizes:

· Winter Coats

· Winter Accessories (Hats, Gloves, & Scarves)

· Heavy Pants & Jeans

· Long Sleeved Shirts & Sweaters

· Blankets & Sleeping Bags

· Backpacks & Duffel Bags

Thank you for all of your support and participation in the Community Meals initiative!  Each week we are consistently serving and sharing over 130 meals and even more—neighbors, local parishioners, and faith leaders are developing genuine, reciprocal relationships. The Omaha World Herald featured a dynamic article about the Community Meals in early November; you can check out the article at this link: http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3940&u_sid=10479821.

To our many neighbors and volunteers who have made this initiative so successful and so meaningful:  thank you, thank you, thank you!  As we celebrate this advent season at MCD, we wait in eager anticipation for the complete coming of the kingdom; we pray as Mary prayed (Luke 1:46-53):

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed.

…His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.”

SupportWorks

In August, we officially launched SupportWorks by beginning to train Companions who will be meeting with those in need of healthy, holistic relationships. Over the past few months, we have paired four Companions with new SupportWorks friends. God’s grace has been sustaining us as we learn a great deal regarding what we need to add, what we need to take away and how we should adapt the ministry to better meet the needs of those engaging in these new, holistic relationships. I heard  from one Companion that the initial thought of investing into someone relationally was motivating and inspirational. After they began meeting with their SupportWorks friend, they found the reality to be challenging. Their motives and preconceived ideas about these relationships were brought to light and confronted.

This Companion is learning what it means to invite someone into their life and in turn be invited into theirs. They are learning reciprocity in relationship. People transitioning off the street, out of an addiction, into a new job, etc., need healthy friendships around them. They also need to be able to give of themselves to other people. We encourage our Companions to take this posture and understand that they have much to give, but they also have the beauty of the other person to receive.

Illumination Street

Illumination Street all donated silent art auction!

December 12th & 13th,  7pm- 10:30pm

Come join us on December 12th & 13th at Mosaic Community Development to enjoy our Year-End auction! It’s our last auction of 2008 and we are clearing all inventory! Everything will be priced under $100, which is a steal! All of our artists have donated 100% of their proceeds and we are so excited! If you have been to a show before and had your eye on a piece but didn’t get to it, it might still be here!! All proceeds will be going to Mosaic Community Development! Hope to see you all there!