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3039 Brook Highland Parkway Birmingham, AL 35242 Phone (205) 991-1978 Fax (205) 991-1979 |
Welcome to CrossBridge Church of Christ
"It's about a Life Walk with Jesus."
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As settlers moved west to make homes across America, a tradition was begun that not only accomplished a needed task but also bonded the community together. It was called a barn raising. Our LifeWalk group is inspired by this tradition. We don’t want to raise a barn, though, we want to knock out some honey do lists! In this busy age, we are all carrying a list of “to dos” that hang over our head and leave us feeling like we are never going to catch up! What better way to get to know people, and truly connect with their walk, than to step inside their lives and roll up your sleeves with them? Our proposal is that 6 families get together and walk a few hours in each other’s shoes. We will meet once a month and execute a well- planned list of things the host family needs done. This can be house repairs, yard work, organizing, computer work, ironing, paperwork, painting, cleaning, car washing, gutters cleaned, etc. etc. etc. The group will meet on a Sunday afternoon, once a month, to work for 2-4 hours. With 6 families, this is a lot of manpower and God will send the talents we need. They will finish with a potluck supper and a family that can rest easy that they have gotten a few things off their list of things to do! Each family will have 1 free pass to miss, but after that, they will need to commit to 5 work sessions to receive their own. In one year, each family will host the group twice. The tradition of barn raising was one that created bonds because people were carrying each other’s burdens and enjoying work together. When you know the details of a family’s life, you have a connection that will tie you to them. You don’t just ask them about the weather. You ask them how they are doing, and you mean it. You understand who they are and what their experience. We had a great first barn raisers meeting! We met at Saundra’s house where we took down a fence, did some major damage to some massive shrubs, and even cleared an area for future planting. It was so cute to see the teens working together and attacking that fence post buried in the ground. They were so proud when they conquered that thing. Even little 7 year old, Sophie worked hard and her most important job was delivering the water to all the other workers. After we put all the tools away and blew off the patios and drive, we sat down to a lovely dinner to share the details of our lives. It gave us a chance to share and pray for the things outside the home that we know only God can manage for us. Somehow doing the laborious things in life gave us a chance to let go of the really big things for a few hours. We had a little rain but that didn’t stop us and only one injury. We talked about the future of the crew and waved at neighbors as they admired Saundra’s personal work force. All in all it was more than we could have hoped for. Saundra has such a way with decorating and we all got to know about her in such a different light than at church. She is such a hard worker and a positive person. She has a special way with letting people do their own thing and gently encouraging them to do better. She is a very giving person and we were honored that she allowed us into her home for our first barn raising lifewalk. Next month we are off to Pam’s and she has already started picking the paint out! I love painting almost as much as I love power clippers! I am so excited. Thanks to God for giving us strong backs and an opportunity to carry each other’s burdens. We added Khris to our crew this month and are looking for one more family to complete our rotation. Please pray that the family God has intended for this group is moved to reach out to us. We are praying for them. Saundra took some pictures. We will try to get those out soon. Sarah
We will meet every last Sunday. Here is some preliminary info to get you thinking. Assuming we get the last two families, we will start with Saundra since she was the first to respond and work through the list that way. If you find you are unable to host, let me know and we will rearrange. Remember you have one free pass to miss but please commit to being at the other meetings. This is a manpower (or woman power) kind of lifewalk! Please bring your children. I know we have some teens that can be real assets to our work force and can learn a lot from the team spirit I hope we build. I want them to be a part of this. Contact info so far: 1. Saundra Ivey Saundra52@aim.com 2. Pam Bond pam205@aol.com 3. Jan King Jkglobal@bellsouth.net 4. Sarah and Sal Rodas Sarodas@hoover.k12.al.us 5. Khris Robinson krobinson_57@yahoo.com
Instructions for hosting: 1. Have project or projects decided on. Have more than we can possibly do and in a prioritized list.
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Have all materials and tools ready. If you
are in need of tools, send an email to the group 3. Send directions to your house to sarodas@hoover.k12.al.us and I will send to the group.
4.
Let us know generally what clothing to wear-
painting, gardening, Clorox, etc. Food rotation: (host in purple)
Thank you all for being willing to try something new. I pray God will bless us in this endeavor and we will in turn please Him. If you have any suggestions or ideas, they are always welcome. Sal and I just want to make this as easy and organized as we can so it will flow smoothly. Pray for the last two families and stay in touch! Sarah
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______________________ Last Modified: 06/26/2008 |
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