From our Senior Pastor

This is on the main page of our church website:

AN OPEN LETTER FROM PASTOR DAVE:

Thanks so much for your concerns as we press forward to care for those displaced by the Nappanee Tornado. So many groups, organizations and people have showered compassion in a variety of ways. Time like this can be the finest hour for the Body of Christ!

NMC staff and volunteers have gone way beyond the call of duty to assist in many ways. A number of groups and organizations (including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army) have used NMC as their Operations Center.

The clean-up initiative is a fluid situation. It changes on an hourly basis. Here is the latest information---

1. At this point, there is not a need for perisable or non-perishable items. Contrary to what you might hear on the media, this is the official statement from the major players involved. We are accepting cash donations through NMC, and 100% will be used for relief and restoration.
   
   
2. NMC has set up an account, and we will invest these funds to assit in the area of greatest need.
   
   
3. The City of Nappanee is planning the first official opportunity for volunteers to be a part of the clean up tomorrow, Sunday, at 10 AM. The event will be staged from the Northwood High School parking lot. Buses will take people to the clean-up sites. Water will be provided, and you are asked to bring a sack lunch. If you plan to be a part of this event, you are encouraged to attend the 8 AM service in your work clothes. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY EQUIPMENT. WEAR GLOVES AND HARD-SOLED SHOES. PLAN TO BE GONE UNTIL 3 PM. Children are discouraged from being a part of the clean-up effort. If you attend the 8 AM service with your children, and you plan to go clean up at 10 AM, please make arrangements for your children. Do not leave them at NMC.
   
   
4. We will have our regular Sunday AM services tomorrow, Sunday, at NMC. There will be no services and no activities here Sunday PM. That includes cancellation of the Children's Christmas Musical rehearsal, the effect and any other groups that normally meet on Sunday PMs.
   
   
5. Monday at 8 AM, we will begin the next phase of the volunteer work. Hope Crisis Response Network (HCRN) will be directing this phase of the recontruction which focuses on volunteer work. Registration to help takes place in the YMC on our campus. You can also register by going to www.hcrn.info and click on the volunteer tab. Clean up will be ongoing, and when many leave, we will still be here.