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By Kim Eckley
Kish Valley
Grace Brethren Church
Our society today is filled with acronyms, initialisms, and text slang. Who doesn't know what LOL means? The intention of this article is for our whole community to know what LUMINA represents and how fellow Christians can help this great center. LUMINA stands for Lewistown United Ministries In Neighborhood Action. LUMINA is a community center which offers the "light" of faith, hope, and love "to," "for," and "with" the children, youth, and families of Mifflin county in the name of Christ!
The LUMINA Center is a nonprofit agency that survives on grants received from the United Way and other agencies when accepted. The majority of the day-to-day operations is funded by church dues, donations, and fundraisers. The center is led by a board of directors and employs a full-time director and program director. Also, a part-time custodian along with seasonal teen counselors are hired. Volunteers make up the majority of the valued staff.
The board of directors oversees all the activities at the center. Simply stated, their goal is to serve the community as Jesus would. Nehemiah 2:18 says, "We frequently underestimate people and don't challenge them with our dreams for God's work. Share your ideas with others. When you encourage and inspire others, you put teamwork into action to accomplish God's goals." As a Christian you ask, "How can I help this program?" This is accomplished by volunteering at one or many of the following free projects:
• After school program; mentor/tutor/helper (Monday-Thursday, 3p.m.-5:30 p.m.)
• Sonshine Club (Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30p.m.-8 p.m.) youth ages 6-12; singing, Bible stories, crafts, games, and snacks
• Mifflin Co. Extreme Club (Monday, 7p.m.-8 p.m.) middle school/junior high; games, club talk centered around Jesus and his plan for salvation
• Coffee House (monthly)
• Monthly luncheons
• Kids activity nights & family activity nights
• Power packs (food for children for weekend)
• Teen drop-in
• STEM projects
• Cooking classes
• Events/fundraising
• Rainbow Summer (Gr.1-7)
If you are thinking, "Wow, I just don't have the time to volunteer," you could help in other ways. God calls Christians to pour themselves out for others. Hebrews 13:16 states, "Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." You can become a SPONSOR!
1. Pray for our ministry, staff, volunteers, and children
2. Monthly ham sandwich sale ($4.00 ea)
3. Donation of money and/or nonperishable food items for children's snacks, community meals, and power packs
4. Sponsor a child for After School Program $160/month
5. Sponsor a child for Rainbow Summer Camp $100/week
6. Annual benefit auction (March)
7. Donate items on our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/20FVGGB6GB6KM?ref_=wl
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8. Sponsor a kid's activity night, family activity night, or teen drop-in night (churches and organizations are encouraged to partner with us)
So, fellow Christians, you are needed whether it be through volunteering or making a donation of any kind or amount. Please prayerfully consider joining and/or sponsoring their cause. If God tugs at your heart to be a part of their mission, please contact the Center at 717-242-2888. The LUMINA Center is located at 18 E. Third St in Lewistown. Website: www.lumina-center.org Email: luminacenter18@gmail.com. (FYI pictures and more details can be found on Facebook and their website)
I want to thank Lisa Geedey, Scott Yetter, and Valerie Adams for providing information for this article. Also, Emily Weaver for asking me to do something out of my comfort zone for God and the LUMINA Center.