Shafter Sister Church Newsletter
Sharing News from Iglesia Compañerismo Cristiano and SMBC
Sharing with our Family
A woman from Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church stopped by my apartment a few days a go with clothes to share with families from Iglesia Compañerismo Cristiano. I was reminded of sharing clothes with my sisters and cousins when I was little. And, when I walked into an Iglesia Compañerismo Cristiano family's home the same day, I saw other friends from Iglesia Compañerismo Cristiano helping out around the house...cleaning the bathroom, folding clean laundry, sweeping as the mother in the home healed from surgery. Just like I am doing for my Mom as she heals from a skull fracture. We are all living out what it means to be the Family of God--The Church--caring for each other, sharing with those in need.
Sunday morning
A Sunday morning at Iglesia Compañerismo Cristiano
Twins and me
Celebrating a successful college visit with Dim Sum
My pew at church
Normally what I see next to me on a Sunday morning
A Place for Dreams
My Grandmother has a beautiful glass cut-out by her kitchen sink that says "Set Aside Some Dreaming Time." I love that my Gram, nearing 80 years old, values setting aside time to dream. I like my to-do lists...dreams are more difficult for me. Over the past few months, I have tried to "Set Aside Some Dreaming Time." I have been praying about ideas that would join the work already being done in Shafter....here are some ideas. Please pray about these ideas and others yet to be dreamed as we live and work in sweet Shafter--reflecting God's glory, love and care.
--Create spaces for preschools and after school programs in low socio-economic areas in Shafter--Smith's Corner, Mexican Colony, Cherokee Strip, the neighborhood at Fresno & Central Valley.
--On Mother's Day, have a professional photographer come to Iglesia Compañerismo Cristiano to photograph mothers and their families.
--Twice or three times a year host a "Read for a Haircut" event where barbers/hair stylists give haircuts in exchange for students reading to them.
--Create a mobile thrift store that visits neighborhoods/communities as many families living in poverty don't have regular access to vehicles.
--Continue to build Little Free Library network, have more families adopt Little Free Libraries to keep them well-stocked with books!
Let me know if you're interested in being a part of any these dreams coming true!
--Create spaces for preschools and after school programs in low socio-economic areas in Shafter--Smith's Corner, Mexican Colony, Cherokee Strip, the neighborhood at Fresno & Central Valley.
--On Mother's Day, have a professional photographer come to Iglesia Compañerismo Cristiano to photograph mothers and their families.
--Twice or three times a year host a "Read for a Haircut" event where barbers/hair stylists give haircuts in exchange for students reading to them.
--Create a mobile thrift store that visits neighborhoods/communities as many families living in poverty don't have regular access to vehicles.
--Continue to build Little Free Library network, have more families adopt Little Free Libraries to keep them well-stocked with books!
Let me know if you're interested in being a part of any these dreams coming true!
Melissa Bergen
Pastor at Iglesia Compañerismo Cristiano
& Director of Local Missions
at Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church
& Director of Local Missions
at Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church
Email: bergen561@gmail.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.bergen.9
Location: 400 Kern St, Shafter, CA, United States
Phone: 661-301-0302
Want to be financially involved?
There's a handful of ways to financial invest in our sister church partnership.
Give to the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Local Missions Fund.
Checks can be mailed to:
For special projects related to sister church projects write a check to "Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church" with "Team Melissa" in the memo line.
Give to a particular need, family or event--I can get you receipts to confirm funds were used for a particular need or you can purchase gift cards for requested stores.
Working with kids, we can always use snacks--granola bars, fruit snacks, breakfast bars, beef jerky, peanut butter crackers, water bottles.
Give to the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Local Missions Fund.
Checks can be mailed to:
Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church
P.O. Box 1538
Shafter, CA 93263
For special projects related to sister church projects write a check to "Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church" with "Team Melissa" in the memo line.
Give to a particular need, family or event--I can get you receipts to confirm funds were used for a particular need or you can purchase gift cards for requested stores.
Working with kids, we can always use snacks--granola bars, fruit snacks, breakfast bars, beef jerky, peanut butter crackers, water bottles.