CMJC Newsletter Final

THE TABLE
WINTER 2017
A publication of
Compassionate Ministries
of Jackson County
Why “The Table”?
There is an old testament Bible story of King
David’s best friend, Jonathan. As a child,
Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, had a tragic
accident that left him unable to walk or care
for himself. After Jonathan died, David promised
his friends’ son that he would always eat
at the king’s table and would always have a
place to live. “So Mephibosheth ate at David’s
table like one of the king’s sons” (2 Samuel
9:11).
So, just like King David welcomed Mephiboseth at his table, we
are called to welcome everyone to our table! Because of this,
we’ve chosen to refer to our Compassionate Ministries Center as
“The Table.”
Whether it’s our David’s Promise participants and families, individuals
participating in our Community Empowerment Program, families receiving a
Thanksgiving basket, or an individual receiving food assistance from our
community garden, “The Table” is where we can ALL go for the nourishment
we may need; whether it be food, information, community, or compassion!
“The Table” represents our love and acceptance of all people!
www.cmjackson.org

Page 02/10 CMJC Newsletter Winter ‘17
Hunger
Ministries
In 2016, CMJC’s hunger ministries:
• Provided food to 5,877 families representing 14,827
individuals at its Food Pantry.
• Provided food to 2,990 families representing 6,128
individuals at its eleven Mobile Food Pantry sites.
• Distributed fresh produce to 812 families representing
1,832 individuals during the summer’s Fresh Food
Initiative.
• After School Backpack Program, provided 7,385
backpacks filled with food to local children in need!
“2016 Agency of the Year”
This past November, Compassionate
Ministries of Jackson County was awarded
the “2016 Agency of the Year” by Food
Bank of South Central Michigan! The Food
Bank reaches over 189,300 people each
year through a hunger-relief network of
more than 285 partner agencies operating
in eight counties in south central Michigan.
Wenda Dissinger, Food Bank of South Central
Michigan Board Member, presented the
award and remarked, “...the amazing CMJC staff and
volunteers have been one of our greatest assets in fighting
hunger, in Jackson County. Anything we throw at them they
are more than ready, willing, and eager. Who doesn’t love an
agency that always goes above and beyond?! Not only do
they offer a food pantry, clothing closet, FFI, host numerous
backpack programs, but they also operate a mobile food
pantry with 11 different sites! It has been a pleasure to work
with them. They are always thinking of innovative methods
to offer the best quality and compassion to those they
serve. We know that the guests leave feeling uplifted and
empowered after seeking assistance at Compassionate
Ministries.”

CMJC Newsletter Winter ‘17
Page 03/10
Thanksgiving
Baskets
What wonderful community support
we received this year, as together
we provided 230 Thanksgiving
Baskets to area children in eleven
Jackson County schools! Thanks
to all who gave financially as well
as those who volunteered their
time assembling and delivering the
baskets.
Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner
Our annual free community-wide Thanksgiving Day Dinner was a
huge success again this year. Approximately 350 people attended
the event held at First Church of the Nazarene. Additionally, our
volunteers provided Thanksgiving Day dinner to the residents at
the John George Home, Jackson Friendly Home and the
employees on duty at Blackman Public Safety!
Mobile Food Pantry
We are currently serving eleven mobile food pantry sites throughout Jackson County each month.
CMJC partners with Bethesda Church of God in Christ, First Church of the Nazarene, Hanover-Horton
Community Church, Pentecostal Lighthouse Church, St. John’s United Church of Christ, and Village Hope
Church. Our hope is to get food into locations where transportation is not always available to the guests
we serve. In January, we began distribution at the Shahan-Blackstone apartment complex.
mobile Food Pantry STats

Page 04/10 CMJC Newsletter Winter ‘17
The Food Pantry
Our Food Pantry continues to serve hundreds of families
each time it is open. We are truly grateful for the number of
hours that our community volunteers give to us on a weekly
basis to ensure our ministry runs smoothly and efficiently.
Many of our pantry guests have commented to us on how
well they are treated, with love and dignity! That is one of
the best compliments we can receive!
Food Pantry STats
After School Backpack Program
Each Friday during the school year, our After School Backpack Program provides backpacks filled
with food to area children, at risk of going hungry over the weekend. We are grateful for all of the
volunteers, donors, schools, and church partners from First Church of the Nazarene, Hanover-
Horton Community Church, and Springport United Methodist Church! We currently are assembling
and delivering 280 backpacks each week!!

CMJC Newsletter Winter ‘17
Page 05/10
Community Outreach
community Empowerment Program
Recently, our Community
Empowerment Program
(CEP), partnered with Pastor
and Mrs. Tony Lyons of
Bethesda Church of God
In Christ, establishing our
eleventh mobile food pantry
site. We also have begun
a partnership with Pastor
James Burrus and Elder
Donnie Chatman, providing
clothing for the Higby Street
Church of Christ clothing pantry.
The CEP provided the Jackson
community with a three-hour
workshop titled, “Introduction to
Compassionate Communication.”
This workshop that was attended
by 42 participants, introduced
the principles of non- violent
communication. From
this workshop, a
practice group was
formed that meets
twice a month, to
practice skills and use
the tools introduced in
the workshop.
In December, a weekly
Qigong exercise
class was started at
Chalet Terrace. A weekly seated
Qigong and Tai Chi exercise class
began at Reed Manor in January.
Additional programs scheduled
for implementation in 2017 are:
• Math and language class for
children.
• Resource help center, focusing
on employment searches,
resume building, and computer
skills.
• Compassionate Communication
workshop with practice groups.
Relationship programs.
These programs will occur at
Chalet-Terrace, Reed Manor and
other Jackson County locations.
Community Garden
Greenhouses
Thanks to the Jackson Junior
Welfare League grant we
received, our first greenhouse
was erected this past fall!
Hundreds of volunteer hours
were spent preparing for the
greenhouse construction, we
are so thankful for each person
who assisted! In addition to
having the greenhouse raised,
we also contracted with a local
business to have a new well
drilled and installed. Water lines
were run to the greenhouse,
garden, and to the CM Center.
We are eagerly anticipating the
impact that the greenhouse
and garden will have on our
community, in 2017!

Page 06/10 CMJC Newsletter Winter ‘17
We hosted our first ever Celebrate Compassion Day on October 16. We
had an amazing turnout with approximately 250 people in attendance. The day highlighted our
ministries and ways volunteers could get involved.
Saturday Morning
Christmas Celebration
On Saturday December 17th, we
celebrated the Christmas season during
our Saturday morning ministries. We
decorated cookies, had a visit from
Santa, and our Presents For Parents
ministry provided an opportunity for
the children to choose and wrap a gift
for a loved one. Thank you volunteers
and ministry supporters for making this a
special day!
DHHS Breakfast With Santa
Our annual DHHS Breakfast with Santa took
place in December at First Church of the
Nazarene. This event for children who are
currently in foster care or have recently been
adopted through foster care, provided a
morning of fun, including cookie decorating,
gifts, a hot breakfast, and of course, a visit
from Santa. Approximately 250 people were in
attendance!

CMJC Newsletter Winter ‘17
Page 07/10
WHEN OUR COMMUNITY IS GETTING HELP, WE CAN PROVIDE STRONG
FOUNDATIONS FOR CHILDREN. THESE FOUNDATIONS HELP DEVELOP
LONG LASTING, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS IN JACKSON
Angel Tree
Together with Cornerstone Church and
First Church of the Nazarene, 117 children
received two Christmas gifts each, through
our Prison Fellowship Angel Tree ministry.
These gifts are purchased by others on
behalf of an incarcerated parent. Since
2013, we’ve provided gifts to 472 children!
Adopt-A-Family
Again this year, we partnered with Northwest
Community Schools, Adopt-A-Family at
Christmas. The Adopt-A-Family program
began in November, with the placement
of “giving trees” in all Northwest school
buildings, Hankerd Hills Golf Club, First
Church of the Nazarene, New Horizons
Church, Klavon’s Pizza, and the Lost
Shoe. Food and toiletries were collected
for approximately 50 families, 31 of them
also received clothing, books, and toys. An
additional 28 families also received full
holiday meals. The efforts touched the lives
of more than 140 school-aged or younger
children, in the NW district.
CMJC’s Church Partners
Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County is a partnership of local churches that work
together transforming lives and pursuing change. We understand this takes a community
of people, serving together, building a better Jackson! These are our church partners:
• Hanover Horton Community Church
• St. John’s United Church of Christ
• Springport United Methodist Church
• Village Hope Church-Cooper Street
• Village Hope Church-Parma
• Jackson First Church of the Nazarene
• Pentecostal Lighthouse Church
• Seventh Day Adventist Community Center
• Central Wesleyan Church
• Immanuel Lutheran
• Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church
• Bethesda Church of God in Christ
• Higby Street Church of Christ
• First United Methodist Church

Page 08/10 CMJC Newsletter Winter ‘17
Special Needs
David’s
Promise
Exciting things are happening in the CMJC’s
David’s Promise Ministry! Our adult program had
the opportunity to participate in some fun holiday
festivities. We had the privilege of welcoming
residents of the Arbor North assisted living center
to our facility to celebrate the holidays with us.
We sang Christmas carols, had coffee and tea,
and the Arbor North residents surprised us with
cookies! We are planning to visit them again
during the cold weather and bring the music to
them.
Stop, Shop & Soup!
Event
We also hosted an event called “Stop,
Shop and Soup!” where we sold some
delicious soups made by parents and
volunteers as well as showcased the
talent of our participants by displaying
their art, photography and hand-crafted
items. Over the course of 2016, our
participants took nature photographs
and compiled them into a 2017 calendar
that is now available for purchase. The
event was a huge success!

CMJC Newsletter Winter ‘17
Page 09/10
A VERY SPECIAL HOLIDAY
BLESSING OCCURRED FOR
ONE OF THE ADULTS IN OUR
PROGRAM, AS WELL AS FOR
OUR DEAR FRIENDS AT THE
MEDINA, OH NAZARENE
CHURCH. Medina Nazarene
members came to the
Compassionate Ministries
Center over the summer,
where David’s Promise
participant’s meet, and helped
us to build our Promise
Garden, as well as build stools
with our participants. One
couple had just found out that
they were expecting a baby
when they arrived. We are
happy to announce that, not
only did our dear friends Chris
and LeighAnn give birth to a
special little Christmas baby
named Wesley, but baby
Wesley is named after one
of our participants! He made
such an impact on them during
their visit here and when we
told him the good news, his
response was, “This is the best
thing that’s ever happened to
me!”
OUR PARENT SUPPORT GROUP FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
NAVIGATING SPECIAL NEEDS AND NEW DIAGNOSES WILL
SOON BE MAKING A MOVE FROM FRIDAY MORNINGS TO
SATURDAY MORNINGS IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE MORE
WORKING PARENTS. STAY TUNED FOR DATES AND TIMES.
A Heart For
Others
We are beyond blessed
that God continues to grow
relationships, allowing for
support and encouragement,
within our David’s Promise
family.
Be on the lookout for our
next big project, “A Heart
for Others,” in February, as
our adults bless different
groups in the community
through monetary and supply
collections and donations.
The first collection we will be
seeking is yarn with details
to follow. Save and turn in
those skeins! Thank you for
continuing to pray with us as
God’s plans for this ministry
get bigger and bigger. We
are continually in awe of what
He can do through our small
amount of time, talent and
treasure.
GET TO KNOW BOARD MEMBER: Wendy Valentine
Pastor, Hanover-Horton Community Church
Wendy moved to Michigan in 1992 while working
as the head trainer for SMX Corporation, a Chicago
based organization. When that company closed
after 50 years in 1994, Wendy and her husband Ross
started Tri-State Technical Services, a service company
that maintains computerized industrial embroidery
machines. They relocated to the Jackson area from
Royal Oak in 1995, and presently support over 300
embroidery companies in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
They have 3 grown children and 15 grandchildren.
Currently, Wendy is enrolled at Spring Arbor University
working on a BA in Pastoral Ministry. In 2015 she took
over as Pastor of Hanover-Horton Community Church,
a Non-Denominational church she attended since
its inception in 1997. Wendy’s passion is for unity in
the community. She is thrilled to work together with
other local churches and para-church organizations
to meet the many needs faced by the families in her
area. Wendy has served on the CMJC board since July
2015.

Capital Campaign II
Update
We’d like to update everyone on the
progress of the Capital Campaign that we
have embarked upon, to expand our service
capabilities at the Compassionate Ministries
Center.
As many of you know, we have been working to
raise $263,000 for the Phase II development of
the center, which we are calling, The Table.
The Weatherwax Foundation of Jackson, MI.,
committed to a $131,500 matching grant to help
us with the renovation and re-purposing of the
upper level. We have also received a grant for
$30,000 from the Hurst Foundation.
Many of you and several generous corporate
donors have come through and helped raise
more than $103,000. With that we have
reached and exceeded our goal! We are so
grateful for the prayers, conversations and
financial support we’ve received over these
past several months. We have felt such
great enthusiasm for this project from the
Jackson community.
We’ve been asked what we will do with monies
raised beyond our goal. As many of you know,
construction and remodel projects seldom
finish at the original estimated cost. We will
work diligently to avoid this scenario but we
don’t know what sort of things we’ll stumble
upon once we begin opening up walls and so
forth during the remodeling project. We believe
we are prepared for what might be in store..
Our $263,000 budget covered the basics of
the development. We cut several items from
our original plans to make the project more
manageable. If funds are available, we may
consider adding some of these items back into
the overall project.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Again, thank you for your interest and support
of our ministries!
TRANSFORMING LIVES
PURSUING CHANGE
FOCUSING LOCALLY
Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County
(CMJC) is a faith-based ministry, serving the greater
Jackson area since 2012. Our mission is to break
the generational cycle of poverty in Jackson, by
providing tangible, emotional and spiritual resources,
to empower individuals and families to become
strong, whole, and alive in Christ. CMJC is passionate
about meeting the immediate needs of those in our
community as well as helping others with long term
solutions to life’s adversities. Through the building of
relationships with those we serve, our hope is to assist
families and individuals in becoming self-sufficient. We
understand this takes a community of people, serving
together, building a better Jackson!