re|distribute 2024
We (Are) With You
REDISTRIBUTE is Common Ground Midtown’s annual Advent tradition of following in the footsteps of Jesus to join in the reconciliation of the world through sacrificial love.
Each year, as a church body and in a spirit of sacrifice, we join in this reconciliation by REDISTRIBUTING our resources to those most deeply in need.
This year, we are taking inspiration from the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 1:3-11. Paul writes to his friends and says they are “partners in the Gospel.” Partners that share in God’s grace and love. Partners that walk with one another in hardship and celebration. Partners that go through grief and joy together. Partners that stand, support, and pray for one another. In other words, Paul is saying, “I am with you and I know you are with me as we proclaim the good news of Jesus.”
To echo Paul, our theme for Redistribute this year is “We Are With You.” We care deeply about our mission and community partners, as well as the organizations that our congregants give to and are passionate about. Therefore, for Redistribute 2024, we are supporting and raising funds for the work being done by two of our mission partners, YFC Lebanon and the MLK Center. We are also encouraging you to dedicate your time, talents, and treasure to projects and causes of personal significance, and then to share your passion and work with our church body. Learn more about our 2024 projects below.
YFC LEBANON - Relief Project
There is a war now in Lebanon. Thousands have fled to Beirut, filling public spaces and facilities with families who brought only what they could carry.
Over the years, YFC Lebanon has witnessed God’s faithfulness in responding to the needs arising from crises. While their primary mission is not disaster relief, they willingly support the youth and families affected by the current crisis. Through their ministry centers, they aim to care for 400 individuals (around 100 families) and meet their immediate needs through daily meals, hygiene items, clean clothes, as well as a safe space to be heard, loved, and cared for.
They are currently providing the following:
Daily meals to families in a clean and respectful environment.
Basic hygiene kits to use at their shelters, which will provide prevention from communal spread of bacteria and viruses.
Entertainment programs and games for children and youth to lift their spirits and help take their minds off the war.
Laundry services for the families for added comfort and hygiene.
Group mental health sessions and interventions for families, along with optional art therapy sessions (one-on-one counseling sessions are being provided for critical cases).
The love of Christ in practical ways, praying it would open doors to share the Good News.
YOUR REDISTRIBUTE GIFT to this project will help alleviate some of the monthly costs of this important and life-saving work, which are around $35,000:
Food: $22,400
Hygiene kits: $5000
Laundry service: $1000
Supplies for programs: $1000
Transportation for families: $1000
Facility & utilities: $2000
Admin cost: $2600
MLK CENTER - Neighbor Basic Income Project
For many years, the MLK Center has dreamed about starting a Neighbor Basic Income Project to more effectively come alongside people. Their plan is to provide a family with $500/month to help improve quality of life and escape the cycle of living paycheck-to-paycheck in a way that preserves dignity and empowers families to have agency over their own lives.
These funds may be used for a deposit on an apartment, an auto repair, or eliminate the need to choose between paying for heat or buying groceries. The MLK Center plans to pilot this program with a couple of families, with every $3,000 raised funding one family for six months. The more funds raised, the more they can impact local families.
YOUR REDISTRIBUTE GIFT to this project could be transformative for our neighbors. Additionally, this program allows the MLK Center to test the idea locally in the hopes of generating more funding support for future expansion, using the examples from this pilot program to demonstrate impact.
PERSONAL PROJECT
The way of Jesus inspires acts of grace, generosity, compassion, and moving towards others as love requires in the moment. For Redistribute this year, we encourage you to act in the “We Are With You” spirit toward your neighbor through some type of service. Your “neighbor” could be your actual neighbor, a family member, a favorite cause, a missionary, or a civic group you know could use your support. The act could be a financial gift, showing up with groceries or supplies, or your physical time and labor to accomplish a project that would mean the world to someone else.
Here is the process:
Pray for the Holy Spirit's direction and the courage to take action in what might seem risky, lonely, or challenging.
Identify who and how—engage them in a discussion if it’s an individual and the generosity requires collaboration. Donate goods or dollars directly if your generosity is more transactional.
Commit to the vision and follow through.
Let us know who you supported and in what way—this can be anonymous.
YOUR REDISTRIBUTE GIFT to this project will give us the opportunity to celebrate all of our congregants’ important and worthwhile efforts. It helps tell the story of how Common Ground Midtown members are connected personally and moving in the way of Jesus in their everyday lives. Click the “Report Your Personal Project” tab to the left to share your story of generosity and service.
ways to re|distribute
Find the links to donate (or redistribute) to the organizations above.
Write a check and make it payable to Common Ground Midtown and simply designate the organization of your choosing in a separate note included in the envelope.
Mail your sealed envelope to our main address:
Common Ground Christian Church Midtown
Re: Redistribute 2024
4550 N Illinois St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208Drop cash or a check in the tithes and offering box in the back of the church outside the restrooms.
Thank you for being a blessing to others and for allowing the Holy Spirit to move through you!
