Last Saturday was special

Nine years ago, a high school student interned at CCSC for the summer, and she made a strong connection with our mission, clients, and staff. Her name is Danielle Cox, and she has since completed her masters degree and was ordained into ministry this past Saturday.

Danielle grew up at First Christian Church-Houston, and I appreciated seeing how her home church wrapped their arms around her, making her ordination personal and rich in meaning. This church was overflowing with love for her.

Near the end of the ceremony, Danielle presided at the communion table for the first time as an ordained minister. Her words resonate with me still. She said we as Christians need to make room, lots of room, for more people to join us at "the table". She was not simply talking about the communion table, but metaphorically about the church being a place of hospitality. A place that draws people in and models the teachings of Jesus. A place of love, just like First Christian Church.

I'm glad all that is now officially in her job description - she's going to be an amazing minister.

Are you fluffy?

Below is a picture of Judy, one of CCSC's Emergency Services & JobNet clients. She's looking for an administrative job, and we've had the privilege of working with her.

When asked about her experience with us, she said "I came into JobNet flat, but they fluffed me up." I just love that quote. So if  you're feeling a bit flat, come by CCSC, and we'll fluff you up.

Someone is happy because of your donation

There is a gentleman we've helped several times this year with food and clothing. He is recovering from a stroke (so he's not working), and his family depends on his wife's income. Her hours have recently been cut, so the family is having a tough year.

This week he told us that the clothing he received earlier was extra-special: it gave him something appropriate to wear to his son's high school graduation. He related to us how very much this meant to him because without CCSC, he wouldn't have been able to dress up.

I understand his situation well because my daughter graduated from high school a few weeks ago, and it is a moment to mark and celebrate. Clothes are not the most important thing, but most of us want to wear our Sunday best to momentous occasions. It's difficult to imagine not being able to do that. It's also difficult to imagine going hungry, not being able to buy shampoo, and worrying about routine bills many of us pay without thought.

If you are someone who donates your clothing to us, THANK YOU.  If not, put a box like this in your closet, and once it's full, bring it to us. We'll sort it, parcel it out to different areas of the ministry, and make sure it is given new life on someone else.