State of the Program

Wow! So many great things are happening at Family Promise of Forsyth County, Inc.! We currently have three families in the program, all are working, accomplishing their goals and saving money needed to be live independently.

Our coordinator at Good Shepherd Catholic Church "retired" from her coordinating duties. We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to Betty Schlecht for all the time, talent and love she has given for our families. We are excited to welcome Linda Chisolm as the new coordinator and know that Ms. Betty will be close by and always in our prayers!

This month's newsletter highlights many hands make light work. From our coordinators like Ms. Betty and Ms. Linda working together, to Cumming First United Methodist Church working with our many congregations and communities in support of our upcoming garage sale, those hands allow us to serve families in overcoming homelessness.

Our families are also a part of the many hands. We started a Community Meeting each week with our guests. Our Executive Director meets with the group to hear how things are going from a guest's perspective, share updates, and help in areas of struggle. One of the most enlightening parts of this gathering is watching the families interact. They support each other in many ways like helping with the children, sharing information about job opportunities or simply offering moral support.

If you would like more information on how you can be one of the hands making a difference in the lives of the families we serve, contact our Executive Director, Tina at tina@fpforsyth.org

Family Promise Garage Sale!
Who doesn't like a garage sale? Join us on August 25th and 26th at the Cumming First United Methodist Church. All proceeds benefit Family Promise of Forsyth County. For more information click here.

President's Message

"Many Hands Make Light Work - when in His Love"

Think of the number of projects we have faced in life that we had to accomplish all by ourselves as youth or adults. Hard but doable. Sometimes we were truly doing a one person project ... but how many times have we FELT like we were the one who had to do it? Maybe thinking "No one else can do it as well as I can or the way I want it".

I like the saying "Many hands make light work". But I want to focus on the last part of the title above...which I added to it.

There are so many examples of this truth. I think Family Promise and the relationships amongst its host/support churches is a perfect example. Our program has so many moving parts within it that it does take many hands ... and willingness to work together with one common perspective. It is one of the reasons I was drawn to this Volunteer program - diverse groups coming together for one common cause setting aside the minors to focus on a major - "loving our neighbor".

Most may have heard the question asked of Jesus - "but who is my neighbor?" I want to encourage us to focus on the "love" part. What "love" was Jesus talking about? Agape - the greatest of all ... God's love ... working in, on and through us. It is the life blood of the body. The body is made up of many parts - hands, feet, eyes etc. (1 Cor 12:12-26) and each is so important. However, how long can each function without the life blood flowing into and out of it? The "out" flow is as important as the "in" flow" to keep it alive.

Is His Love the common perspective I am allowing to flow to help me work with others? A perspective I need to keep in the forefront quite often. Thank you each and all for helping keep this "life blood" perspective flowing ... many hands working together as a "loving your neighbor" example to others in our community!