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AWAKE COFFEE COMMUNITY
AUGUST 2018
WHAT IS COMMUNITY INITIATIVE?
A C O M M U N I T Y C O M M I T T E D T O S E E I N G Y O U T H R I V E
Toni Kelecheck Board Member AWAKE Communities Int.
Community( noun)- A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
Initiative( noun)- An introductory act or step.
Conyers is a diversified city made up of people of various religious beliefs, socio-economic status, race and political views but we are still a community. You only have to attend a local event like a parade or festival, and you will see a community enjoying the city together.
Behind the scenes, people in our community care for each other, friends and strangers alike. I have the privilege of witnessing this first hand on a regular basis by being involved with the AWAKE Community Initiative program. Just recently, people in our community stepped up to answer a call to help a young family with twins. They were struggling financially and had been without their car for weeks. They were unable to work, to repair their vehicle and they could not provide for their family. A local business owner agreed to fix the car at a significantly reduced price with low monthly payments. A local church preschool is helping them apply for a scholarship for the children to be in preschool so the mom can work as well. Money which was donated to AWAKE helped to cover the cost for towing as well as vital material needs for this family. A local hairstylist gave the mom a new look which gave her more confidence. These combined acts of kindness were life-changing for this family.
Some volunteers recently worked tirelessly to help a local business owner by making repairs to her building. The building renovations will contribute to educating young lives in this community. The same volunteers have walked the streets and parking lots of Olde Town, picking up trash. Some of them do a weekly prayer walk. They pray for our local businesses and people in our community. Many times, when you walk into AWAKE, you will see someone listening intently to another community member who just needs someone to care.
That is what community is all about. Caring for each other. A smile, a handshake, a listening ear or a handup. Don’ t get distracted by crime and negativity. There is positivity in your community. Good things are happening behind the scenes. Compassion is all around, and you can help promote that. Donate your time, your services or your financial resources to the AWAKE Community Initiative and help make Your community shine! Darkness cannot exist in light. Be the light.
For more information, contact Alexandra or Toni at AWAKE Coffee Co by calling 678-392-2400.
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DEVOTIONAL
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THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
I will never forget 2016. It was one of the most difficult and painful years of my life. Between March 29th and November 1st, five of my loved ones died, I lost 2 jobs, 2 cars, my dog died, and I had a massive heart attack. They call it a Widowmaker heart attack. It is a miracle that I am alive today. As I consider all the pain and heartache, there is one shining light that carried me through it all. That one thing is community.
You may wonder what that means. Community is the circle of family and friends who gathered around me in a very sad, painful and difficult time. They loved, prayed, encouraged and helped me until I was stable again. I wouldn’ t have made it without them. Though my faith is strong and amazingly has not wavered, I believe wholeheartedly that faith by itself is not enough. This is, in my opinion, a definite God thing. The Bible says to love God and to love people.
When I went through my trial, the reason these precious, wonderful people were so key to my well-being, is that when my thoughts and feelings turned dark and depressed, they were there to speak the truth. They loved me through the darkness of grief and pain, and when things got better, they also shared in my joy.
Some might ask how do I cultivate community? Perhaps joining a ministry through your place of worship( church). Community service and civic organizations are also an option, or maybe a support group will fit your personal needs. If you can’ t find it in any of these ways, you can also go to AWAKE Coffee Co because community is their core value. I encourage you to reach out to others. You just may be the lifeline for someone else.
Carry each other’ s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
Jesus,
Help me learn how to be in community. You designed us for it, and you knew we would need it. As we walk through this life, we encounter hardships, and I ask that You would lead me to where I should go to find community. Help me cultivate good relationships and teach me how to love like you. Thank you, for the people you have placed in my life.
Amen
Tammy Eskew Awake Coffee Community