Wow!! Its 2009! I’m still writing 2007 on my checks! It’s amazing, but here we are…in a new year with a chance to begin afresh. Thank the Lord for “new beginnings”.

I think you will agree, we will probably face some real challenges in 2009. But, I like to think that with those challenges will come opportunities for new achievements and victories. I know how that feels because 2008 was a year just like that…..and we made it through just fine!!! We were able to do it because of our many friends that remembered our abused and abandoned children and needy seniors in their prayers and in their giving. We cannot thank our friends enough for their faithful support of the 1,000+ people we serve here at Christian City every day.

In case you haven’t heard, University of Georgia Football Coach Mark Richt will speak to us at our 2nd Annual Night of Hope at the Georgia International Conference Center on March 5. He will be introduced by two young women who grew up at our Home for Children. Peggi graduated from the University of Georgia, holds a responsible position in the health care field and is now a member of The Christian City Board of Trustees. Sarah attended Emory at Oxford and is now studying at the prestigious Goizueta School of Business at Emory University. These are great success stories. Coach Richt will also be surrounded by children who now live in our Children’s Village who some day will have their chance for success. That is, if you will help us to provide it for them.

Please join us on March 5 for what I think will be a fabulous night of celebration and inspiration. There will be a silent auction and an opportunity to share a wonderful dinner and fellowship. I really hope to see you at The Night of Hope!

For more information about the “Night of Hope”, visit our website at www.christiancity.org or give us a call at 770-703-2636.

-Bob Crutchfield
President, CEO

Christian City would love to be a part of your VBS programming this Summer! We’re planning a “Missions Moment” module to compliment your VBS and expose kids to ministry opportunity.

As you make plans for VBS 2009, please consider using Christian City as your VBS mission. We will provide you with daily updates to share with your children that will fit right into your missions moment. This material will be available soon in the near future! Call to reserve your VBS packet!

A note to our Church family

There is always something exciting happening at Christian City! We want to make sure that our churches are informed about the great things that God is doing here. If your church is not receiving our Monthly Church E-Mail Update, please send us your e-mail address. We want to keep you informed!

If your church would like to have a guest speaker come out and give an update, we would be happy to do that! Simply call Church Relations at 678-466-1107 and we will line up a speaker to come and share with you.

Thanks to the churches who have allowed us to share in their services: Peachtree City Christian Church, Ben Hill Christian Church, Galilee Christian Church, Peachtree Christian Church, Northside Christian Church in Fortson, Woodstock Christian Church, First Christian Church of Tyrone, First Christian Church of Dalton and Castle Christian Church of Cumming.

We invite you to Christian City’s 2nd Annual Night of Hope featuring Georgia Bulldog Coach Mark Richt as guest speaker. The event will take place on Thursday, March 5th at the Georgia International Convention Center. Please join us and invite your friends and colleagues.

The event is going to be outstanding! Enjoy an elegant dinner and inspiring words from one of the greatest coaches in Georgia’s history. Also, a variety of high quality items will be available in a silent auction.

All proceeds from this wonderful evening will benefit the Children’s Village at Christian City. We’ve been caring for abandoned and abused children since opening our first cottage in 1965. Over the past 44 years, we have provided safe and loving homes, medical care, education, food, clothing and all the necessities of life to over 1,000 children. It is truly a mission of love and we encourage you to get involved on a more personal level if your heart feels so led.

Night of Hope Details
Benefits: The Children’s Village at Christian City
Date: Thursday, March 5th
Time: 6:00 -7:00 pm - Sponsor Reception with Mark Richt for Silver & Gold level event sponsors.
6:30pm - Silent Auction Opens, 7:00pm: Dinner Seating
Place: Georgia International Convention Center - www.gicc.com
Attire: Semi formal

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS
Individual tickets are available, as well as table sponsorships that include tickets to an exclusive pre-event limited Sponsor Reception. Levels and prices are listed below.
Tickets
Individual ticket: $125, Table of 10: $1,250

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Bronze: $2,000 - You will receive 10 tickets plus appropriate recognition for your company on all signage and video presentations at the event.
Silver: $2,500 - You will receive 10 tickets plus 2 tickets to the Sponsor Reception with Coach Mark Richt, preferred seating, prominent recognition for your company on all signage and video presentations.
Gold: $3,000 - You will receive 10 tickets plus 2 tickets to the Sponsor Reception with Coach Mark Richt with the option to buy additional tickets at $250 each. You also receive the best seats in the house, prominent recognition for your company on all signage and video presentations.

MAIL, PHONE OR EMAIL
To purchase tickets, sponsor or request information on this fantastic evening of food, fun and wonderful fellowship, please return the form below, or call us at 770-703-2636 or send us an email to ccity@christian-city.org with your ticket or sponsorship request & we will call you back. Hope to see you at “Night of Hope”!

With the rising cost of groceries during these stringent economic times, the Children’s Village Food Pantry plays an even more significant role in providing for the children.

The Food Pantry exists to help supplement the monthly food budget allocated to each children’s cottage with food items that are donated from the community. Churches, Businesses, and individuals often call with donations to be delivered or picked up and we can use all of them!

The Food Pantry is maintained by one of our house parents on a daily basis. The house parents have 24 hour access to the Food Pantry and are encouraged to check it each day to see what new items have been donated that they can use. They are also encouraged to “shop” in the Food Pantry before going to the grocery store in an attempt to be good stewards of our financial resources. Senior residents on the Christian City campus living on a fixed income may also access any overages in the “goody room”.

Donations are received from Kroger, Publix, Keebler/Kellogg, Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Target and USDA on daily, weekly and monthly schedules. But we are always looking for new regular donors.

The Children’s Village is a member of the Atlanta Food Bank and was recently chosen as the non-profit for the quarter for good stewardship.

Currently the greatest need in the Food Pantry is canned and fresh meats (such as Ham, chicken, tuna, etc.), peanut butter, paper products and supplies (toilet paper/paper towels/napkins), large boxes of cereals and laundry detergent.

If you are able and interested in helping us keep the Food Pantry stocked, please call Lauren Kosiba at The Children’s Village, 770-964-3309.

Line Dancing is not just country and western anymore. It can be modern, upbeat and contemporary depending on the music you choose. The Christian City Steppers, a group of lively seniors at Christian City, stay in shape by gathering once a week and practicing line dancing.

Dancing is great mind/body workout and will help keep you healthy as you age. For some who hate exercise but need to stay active, dancing can help keep fitness routines from being too “routine”. Steps can be complex or very simple depending on your level of fitness and willingness to learn. It is a great way to meet new friends and you don’t even need a partner! By providing a light cardio work out, and non stop body movement, you can increase your stamina and even ward off the winter blues that often affects seniors. The “Christian City Steppers” can often be found performing at senior centers, and special events in the community.

Line dancing is just one of the many ways seniors stay connected at Christian City. Whether participating in water aerobics, playing games on the Nintendo Wii, taking a stroll on the walking paths or delving into a game of checkers in the new library, residents enjoy the sense of community that life at Christian city provides. Located in Union City, Christian City is home to over 1,000 residents including active seniors, those in need of assisted living, nursing and rehabilitative care and those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. For more information on Christian City and the services for seniors, please call 770-703-2636 or access www.christiancity.org

Christian City has taken the opportunity to invest time, energy and other resources in an effort to ensure everyone is on the same page with regard to our ministry.

Over the past several months and continuing for another few months the leadership team is meeting in small groups of 40 to 50 employees with a consistent review of the ideals of Vision and Mission, Core Values and proper delivery of services to all of our customers. These meetings are held at varying times of the day and night and each sessions last four hours. All employees are asked to participate and to help find more and better ways to accomplish our goals of ministry. There are times for talks by key leaders to help set the stage for our small group discussions. There are times for sharing the ideas from the small groups with all attendees. There are times for us to identify how we can become a better organization as well as becoming better employees. All of this culminates in a time of commissioning to go forth and serve in the Christian Spirit of “Loving People…Loving People”. The results of these meetings are exciting and promising as Christian City continues to grow toward being all God called it to be.

The child sponsorship program at the Children’s Village at Christian City is one of our most important and yet simple avenues of supporting the ministry to children placed into our safe keeping.

It is because of the generosity and concern of our child sponsors that our 43 year old children’s program continues to be successful. These child sponsorships help us to provide a safe haven for children needing out of home placement, as well as nutritious meals, educational opportunities, and Christian house parents directing the spiritual growth of each child.

Our children come to us for many reasons and most often they are not related to anything under the control of the child. Children are admitted into our program regardless of race, sex, religion, national origin, or their family’s ability to help pay for their care.
Our ministry to children, God’s children, thanks those of you who have been faithfully committed to be a financial supporter as a child sponsor. Your generosity enables us to make a positive difference in the lives of our children! If you are not currently enrolled in this ministry and would like to be a financial child sponsor, or a child mentor, please contact Lauren Kosiba at The Children’s Village at Christian City 770-964-3309 or email her: lauren@christian-city.org.

Some kids have it tough. Real tough. EVERY kid complains about life from time to time, even in the best of home situations, but try coping with Brittled Bones Disease. It causes bones to become thin and brittle and easily break.

Simon's Story
Simon (not his real name, and not pictured) came to Christian City in dire straits.
He was wheelchair bound because of a progressive disease that causes bones to become thin and brittle. There was a chance that if he tried to walk, his legs wouldn’t support him and break, but if he didn’t start walking again soon, he would have lost the ability permanently. So it was terrifying to Simon to try to walk on his own.

Ever since coming to Christian City, the houseparents have encouraged him to try standing on his own while holding onto something like a counter or table, and then try using a walker inside instead of the wheelchair. The encouragement progressed and now he is able to move around freely without his wheelchair or a walker. He’s enjoyed playing outside with the other kids and has even danced for the first time at some of the Christmas parties.

Simon still has a way to go with strengthening his body, but he has made tremendous progress! This past month he even went with his housedad on a Christian retreat in Tennessee. Every day there was heavy walking involved and even the housedad said his calves were burning after one day of walking. But Simon never complained and he kept up with everyone, walking the entire time. He’s no longer afraid of crowds and he’s just as proud of his progress as all of the houseparents and staff at Christian City.

Way to go Simon!

There are so many ways you can help our children…Please consider becoming a child sponsor. Your $30 a month will help provide a safe and loving home, food, clothing, medical care, educational needs and all the necessities of life to a deserving child. Won’t you please be a blessing to a child today?

There are so many volunteer opportunities here. Our Volunteer coordinator can find a perfect spot for you or create one that uses your skills!

Spiritual Care - Some examples include Bible study teachers, visitors for our residents, preparation for communion, singing, playing musical instruments, pushing wheelchairs, and interacting with residents on a personal level
Life Enrichment - Opportunities include to work one-on-one with the residents such as reading to the blind, instructors in arts and crafts, bingo caller, resident visitors, entertainers, on the floor helpers, flowers or vegetable gardeners, event decorators, helping with activities
Corner Store and Ice Cream Parlor- We need friendly, outgoing people to prepare and serve sundaes, shakes, banana splits and ice cream cones. Assemble basic ice cream machine and effectively operate and clean it. Bake and serve cookies each day. Operate cash register and record retail sales.
Clerical/Front Desk - Great for people with outgoing and friendly personalities who will meet and greet visitors who enter the facility.
Dining Service - Examples include, help serve meals to residents, assist in banquet set-up for catered events and theme days for residents.
Facilities Management – You can perform small maintenance tasks related to pre- maintenance with on-the-job training.
Graceland Thrift Store - This is a ministry in itself, a thrift store open to the public. Volunteer opportunities include sorting & pricing items for sale, fixing items to be sold, cleaning the store, running a cash register, and moving large items.
Welcome Center - Volunteers help provide administrative support such as assembling materials for mail outs, copying documents, shredding old documents, researching information, answering the phone, taking messages and greeting visitors.
Library - If you are a book worm please consider serving just an hour or two a week in our library, or you may consider being on call in the event that the scheduled volunteer is on vacation. While you are there, you have access to so many wonderful books. Be a part of this integral team!

Craig and Belinda Fitch, owners of the beautiful antebellum home and event facility, The Hollingsworth House in Fayetteville, opened their doors to host the 2nd Annual Hollingsworth House “Chair-ity” Event.

A group of hard working volunteers, twenty-four VIP Hosts including Congressman Lynn Westmoreland, State Senator Ronnie Chance, State Representatives Virgil Fludd, Matt Ramsey and John Yates along with their wives, 50 generous sponsors , 25 talented artists and hundreds of guests gathered for holiday cheer. The event featured beautiful music, delicious food and a great networking opportunity for all. Local area artists painted unique and beautiful chairs that were auctioned off to the highest bidder. All proceeds were used throughout the Christmas season to provide for the children who live in the cottages at the Children’s Village.

The 3rd Annual Hollingsworth House event is tentatively set for Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Stay tuned for more details!

Congressman Lynn Westmoreland sends "Chair-ity" Event Letter

“I want to thank everyone (attending the “Chair-ity” event) for their support of Christian City, which provides an incredible ministry.”

Christian City’s leaders are dear friends who have given their lives to serving the Lord by serving others. My previous experiences with Christian City charities have left me humbled by the great work they are doing.

The work at Christian City has touched my family deeply. My wife Joan’s niece and nephew lived there briefly. Joan’s mother and my uncle used the hospice facility and my grandfather lived in the Christian City nursing home. For me personally, I spent many happy evenings on the Christian City softball fields (now the site of a new building) and currently I’m proud to serve on the advisory committee. Joan and I renew our commitment to Christian City each Christmas by acting as Santa for two children living there.

As Christians, we are called to help “the least of these.” Christian City does much more than provide for the physical needs of our society’s most precious and vulnerable assets, our children; it also gives life lessons, love, guidance and Christian mentoring.

The Bible tells us that in God’s Kingdom the first shall be last and the last shall be first. With your attendance and support tonight, you are putting the last first. You are making a positive difference in a child’s life. May God bless each of you and may He continue to bless Christian City.”

- Lynn Westmoreland, US Congressman, 3rd District of Georgia

Bob Lamb, Chairman of the board of trustees for Christian City said of Cecil: “When I think of Cecil Ross, I remember a man of "ministry and prayer.”

Cecil prayed for everyone he knew, for people he would meet in the marketplace and for many that never even knew his name. God used him in several ministry arenas while he was on this earth.”

A graduate of Atlanta Christian College, Cecil served as Youth Minister and Associate Minister, a deacon and leader of the Prayer Ministry at First Christian Church of Mableton. He was a leader in Transformation Atlanta, and Prayer Captain for Promise Keepers, traveling throughout the U.S. helping them with conferences such as the National Day of Prayer.

He was a missionary to Africa where he unofficially adopted native Zimbabweans Stuart and Jonathan. Upon leaving Africa, Cecil provided for their educations. He was thrilled when Jonathan came to America to continue his education and become Founder/President of “Dare to Share - Zimbabwe”, a ministry which feeds over 2,000 people a day.

Cecil Ross passed away on September 8, 2008. Even in his final hours, he was thinking of others, asking if he could pray for the hospital staff who were there to minister to him.

Cecil shared his life with his wife, Pam, who is Director of Church Relations at Christian City where, by the way, Cecil served as Volunteer Chaplain.
We just wanted to thank God for Cecil….his life and his love were a blessing to many.

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