YOUR CONNECTION CARD matters!
Connection cards can be filled out in-person or online. For each completed connection card Rock Church will donate $1 toward an organization in our community. For each first time guest who completes a card, we donate $5. By you taking the time to fill out and return your connection card, you are helping to make a positive difference in your community.
Nominate An Organization!
Please let us know of any organization that you think should be nominated to be our monthly connection card initiative in the future! Here are some of the many benefits that come from being our highlighted initiative! Rock Church will contribute 4-6 weeks of donations based on the church’s connection card activity, Rock Church will promote the organization on both social media and across our three in-person locations, Rock Church will also use their recording studio to help this organization film a video testimony or advertisement that can then be used however the organization see’s fit. We have also heard of thousands of additional dollars in personal donations that have been given to these different highlighted intiatives from our publications. Please help to bless the amazing organizations that have changed your life by submitting them for our highlighted initiative! Your voice matters!
BELOW IS A LIST OF OUR CURRENT AND PAST CONNECTION CARD MINISTRY INITIATIVES.
campus crusade for christ feb 11- mar 17
Cru was originally founded as Campus Crusade for Christ in 1951 when Bill and Vonette Bright began the ministry on the UCLA campus. Cru’s purpose is to help fulfill the Great Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit by winning people to faith in Jesus Christ, building them in their faith and sending them to win and build others.
Cru’s campus ministries are in 2,300 locations engaging more than 101,000 students and faculty members in the U.S. alone. Cru’s city ministry, serves in over 35 cities and partners with over 2,000 churches and organizations. To find out more about Cru check out the website at https://www.cru.org
rockingham nutrition mow dec 24- feb 4
Meals on Wheels has been operating for 44 years in Rockingham County NH. MOW provides freshly cooked meals and at the same time wellness checks, to homes in 37 towns across the state. They also have 12 in person dining locations so that seniors can share a meal with others as well as offering many other services such as offering rides to the pharmacy or grocery store for folks who can’t otherwise get there. Please see how you can help at https://rockinghammealsonwheels.org
the giving tree nov 12- dec 17
The Giving Tree is our annual outreach opportunity to work with partner organizations such as the Lions Club, Town Welfare Depts., Food Pantries, Schools, and others to help make certain there is a gift under the tree for a needy child and/or a homebound older adult. Tags are also available for families struggling with groceries, heat, electricity or prescriptions. Spreading joy at this time of the year is a wonderful way to show people who our Jesus is. We have been able to bless thousands of individuals over the years with your generosity. Taking a tag off the tree and fulfilling a need ensures you are blessed as well by the spirit of giving.
deaf ministry oct 1- nov 5
One year ago, the Deaf Ministry at Rock Church North Shore was established. The mission of this ministry is to make church services and the Bible accessible and truly understandable for Deaf Community members, so that they can come to love Jesus, have a personal relationship with God, and become part of a church community. Members of the Deaf Ministry team traveled to the UMC annual conference, provided interpretation, and were recognized as the only UMC Deaf Ministry in New England. Funds received will be invested to sustain, train and further grow the ministry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfDaHTbC4Xw
back to school aug 27- sept 24
To support our local schools, teachers and families in need with necessary school supplies. Monies raised went to multiple school systems within multiple communities.
hawaii wildfires aug 13- aug 20
For relief efforts and the victims of the Fires in Maui, Hawaii.
UMCOR Flood Relief july 16- July 23
Rock Church Leadership would like put our cc monies towards disaster relief efforts for all those affected by the devastating floods across Vermont, New Hampshire, parts of western Massachusetts, and New York. We will also have a special designated offering that will go directly to these efforts as well.
MESCH MINISTRIES JUN 18-JULY 9 & JULY 30-AUG 6
MESCH Ministries is a non-denominational organization that works with several ministries in the Port-de-Paix Haiti area and is the sole supporter of a church and school (there is no public school option there). It funds the faculty and feeding program for the school children as well as church attenders and their families, who have few other options for food. MESCH also provides support during and after natural and other disasters. 100% of monies donated go directly for ministry as administration is unpaid. Their Mission is to raise a new generation of Haitians who are equipped to share the gospel, educated to impact their community, prepared to be self-sustainable, and challenged to represent Christ. As a non-denominational, Christian organization, we partner with other Christian organizations that share our mission, vision, and statement of faith.
light of life nh May 7- june 11
Light of Life NH is a non-profit, faith-focused organization, striving to share the love of Jesus through multiple programs that address the needs of women in crisis due to sexual exploitation, substance use disorder, homelessness, interpersonal violence and other traumas. Please reach out to them and see how you can volunteer at lightoflifenh.org
ROCA KIDZ CLUB march 26- april 30
Roca Kidz Club - based in Manchester- now has 2 locations. They meet Thursday nights from 6:00-7:30pm to provide elementary, middle and high school kids a safe and fun place to be. Most of the kids come from really poor homes. Roca Kidz Club provides a hot meal, which for many this is only hot meal they have all week. The kids get to learn about God, have fun and be loved on. They also do an after school club where they are given snacks and help with homework.
https://www.rocakidzclub.com/our-volunteers
STREET MINISTRY FEB 12-march 19
Every Saturday morning our Street Ministry team meets at Common Ground around 8:30am. We have, AND NEED, volunteers that donate sandwiches, snacks and water that we pack together for lunches to give out. At the café, which we keep open longer during the winter months, we hangout and do a devotional and play music. We go out on to the streets to find those who didn’t make it to the café— we bring lunches, toiletries and sometimes clothing donations. We build relationships with them and a lot of times we offer prayer and intentionally listen to what might be going on in their lives. If you are interested in volunteering with us on Saturday mornings, we would love to see you there! CommonGrounds also has a variety of volunteer opportunities within their thrift store, food pantry, etc.!
Common Ground:
978-372-3336
https://cgmcafe.org/donate (https://cgmcafe.org/donate)
casa of nh janUARY 1- FEBRUARY 5
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of NH provides victimized children all throughout the state with a caring and compassionate volunteer advocate to speak on behalf of their best interest. CASA volunteer advocates are a voice for the abused and neglected children who often cannot speak for themselves, and who work to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive in a safe, permanent home. CASA needs more volunteers to meet the growing need of our community, if you’d like more information on how to volunteer with CASA please either let Tarah know or email CASA at speakup@casanh.org
giving tree nov 27- dec 25
The Amesbury Holiday Program provides Christmas gifts to local children under the age of 18. The program is entirely run by volunteers and has been helping low income families, in Amesbury, for over 30 years. This year due to covid precautions the majority of the gift giving will come in the form of gift cards. Gift card requests can be found on the ornaments of the North Shore giving tree, as well as other needs for our congregation and community that we are made aware of. We also worked with the Pettengill house. The Pettengill House, Inc. is a nonprofit community social service agency providing comprehensive case management, basic needs support, emergency assistance, crisis intervention, and an array of essential programs and services for individuals, children, and families of all ages across nine Massachusetts communities.
veteran support Oct 30- nov 20
We are celebrating our Veterans and highlighting three amazing ministries to donate to! First, ‘Wreaths Across America’ honors our fallen Veterans by making sure our veteran’s graves have beautiful wreaths on them. Some of the monies collected for each Wreath is also donated to other Veteran organizations. Second, The Liberty House in Manchester, NH has dedicated to helping our veterans through struggles with PTSD, addiction, homelessness, and job opportunities. Third, Veterans NorthEast Outreach Center located in Haverhill, MA operates eight housing units directly and collaborates with other agencies for additional housing space. This translates into subsidized and supportive housing to 120+ Veterans and their families. Please visit these sites directly or reach of out Rock Church for other ways to donate and volunteer.
https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
HURRICANE IAN RELIEF OCT 2- OCT 9
Hurricane Ian devastated the Fort Myers area and coast of Florida at the beginning of October 2022. Please help us in raising money to go to support relief efforts for the communities and families effected. 100% of the proceeds will be put towards these relief efforts. To donate directly please visit https://umcmission.org.
PREGNANCY CARE CENTERS SEPT 4-25 & oct 16-23
The Pregnancy Care Center located in Haverhill, Lawrence, and Lowell, is a Christ-centered ministry offering life-affirming services designed to empower families in making informed choices about unexpected pregnancy, sexual integrity, and recovery from past traumas. They believe in sharing the love of Jesus Christ through education, peer-mentoring, and emotional support, of both men and women, facing unexpected pregnancy. Families are cared for from the moment there is a confirmed pregnancy till the baby turns 1 year old.
back pack drive aug 14- aug 28
We received $1,240 in donations and gave away over 150 filled backpacks to schools in Plaistow, Amesbury, Newton, Merrimac, Haverhill, Sunnie's motorcycle ministry, and to home school families. We also donated several dozen packages of underwear to school nurses per their request.
Common grounds ministry JULY 3- AUG 7
Common Grounds Ministry is committed to alleviating hunger and homelessness through their multiple food pantries, clothing outreach, and ministry. All staffing needs are met by volunteers. To learn more about how you can help, please visit their website: https://cgmcafe.org/about. The Common Ground main building is located at 194 Winter St. in Haverhill, MA.
kairos prison ministry may 22-JUNE 26
Kairos Inside is a ministry whose mission is to develop a Christian community inside both men’s and women’s prisons. Incarcerated individuals who participate in a 3 1/2 day kairos weekend and continue to grow their faith weekly, are 50% less likely to become a repeat offender. Kairos Outside is a ministry that offers a comfortable, non-judgmental retreat for women to support each other as they journey through the incarceration of a friend or relative. The Kairos Outside Weekend is a 2 ½ day program based on a series of talks by volunteers designed to address the pain of enduring separation from the one inside and the judgment of others from their community. For ways to get involved locally, please reach out to Pastor Jake at Jacob@rock-church.org.
68 hours of hunger apr 17-may 15
The Sandown LIONS Club started the 68 hours of Hunger project in November as one of our service initiatives. 68 Hours of hunger is a public nonprofit effort to confront the time period children experience between the free lunch they receive in school on Friday and the free breakfast they receive in school on Monday. Currently, we provide 10 children at Sandown North Elementary school with highly nutritious food for the weekend. We are planning on expanding this program to include the students at TLC/Sandown Central. At this time we are in need of small boxes of cereal and snacks, as well as other donations. For more information or to directly donate, please email Sandown LIONS Secretary, Erica Olsen, at sandownlionsclub@gmail.com.
JOURNEY FOR LIFE FOUNDATION MAR 20- APR 10
Journey For Life is a nonprofit foundation that was founded with the vision of providing recovery support services for individuals struggling with addiction. They reach the homeless population, offer various therapeutic groups, and collect clothes for individuals just getting out of treatment. Journey For Life is also actively working on building sober living townhouses that will provide a safe, sober, and supportive living environment for NH men and woman working on their recovery. Heart breakingly, NH is the #1 state in New England for overdose death rates and ranks second highest Nation wide. We ask that you keep Journey For Life in your prayers and if you would like to help support their vision please consider donating today!
www.journeyforlifefoundation.com
Ukraine Relief efforts mar 6- Mar 13
JOIN US IN HELPING THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE. Rock Church is organizing an initiative to support humanitarian relief efforts to those fleeing Ukraine as well as those left behind. If you would like to be a part of this important effort we have an exciting opportunity. We have had an anonymous donor pledge up to $10,000 in matching funds, allowing your gift to have double the impact. Go to www.rockgiving.org and click the egiving link. Then look for the Ukraine Relief line (or you can give on that same page through paypal.) Donations will be channeled through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) allowing 100% of all donations to go directly to relief effort (all administrative costs are covered separately by the United Methodist Church.)
EMMAUS HOUSE PROJECT Feb 13-feb 27
Please help our community by supporting the Emmaus House and their diligent efforts to combat homelessness in the area(an urgent need during the coldest New England months.) Emmaus House is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and develops affordable housing in the Lower Merrimack Valley to help families and individuals facing homelessness rebuild their lives. In addition to providing shelter, affordable housing, and supportive services, Emmaus also seeks to prevent homelessness by keeping people in their current housing or by finding new apartments for homeless individuals and families. To find out more, donate directly, or find out ways to volunteer please check out their website at Emmausinc.org.
SALISBURY 9-ALARM FIRE JAN 23-FEB 6
Salisbury beach was hit with a 9-alarm fire that displaced close to 40 families on January 17, 2022. We have felt led to respond immediately to help in these recovery efforts. Here is direct contact information if you feel led to reach out in that way. All relief efforts are based out of the Salisbury Hilton Senior Center. Salisbury Lions Club and the Red Cross are assisting. Salisbury Senior Center’s number is 978-465-6837 and the contact person is Liz. If you’d like to mail a check directly, please make it out to, ‘Town of Salisbury’ with ‘2022 beach fire fund’ in the memo line and mail it to:
Town of Salisbury
43 Lafayette Rd.
Salisbury, MA 01954
TORNADO RELIEF dec 24-jan 16
A deadly late-season tornado outbreak, the deadliest on record in December, produced catastrophic damage and numerous fatalities across portions of the Southern United States and Ohio Valley from the evening of December 10 to the early morning of December 11, 2021. Please help us in raising money to go to support relief efforts for the communities and families effected. 100% of the proceeds will be put towards these relief efforts.
the giving tree dec 5-dec 19
The Amesbury Holiday Program provides Christmas gifts to local children under the age of 18. The program is entirely run by volunteers and has been helping low income families, in Amesbury, for over 30 years. This year due to covid precautions the majority of the gift giving will come in the form of gift cards. Gift card requests can be found on the ornaments of the North Shore giving tree, as well as other needs for our congregation and community that we are made aware of. We also worked with the Pettengill house. The Pettengill House, Inc. is a nonprofit community social service agency providing comprehensive case management, basic needs support, emergency assistance, crisis intervention, and an array of essential programs and services for individuals, children, and families of all ages across nine Massachusetts communities.