Easter Egg Hunt 2013


Seems hard to believe we've arrived at 10 years throwing a Giant Easter Egg Hunt for our community in Kettering OH. Each year we are amazed that so many people from the Vineyard sign up to serve, and we are always surprised by how many families from the community show up. We are also amazed how fast 15,000 eggs are picked up... Usually 80 or so seconds!

Last year we had a blast. Two huge fields, free face painting, kidz zone, free hot dogs, prizes, clowns and characters. 

One Grand-mom was sitting next to our free hotdog line and asked me, 'Who are you people? I've been sitting here for the last half an hour. I've seen the people serving, smiling, laughing. All have good attitudes. They don't complain even when they are asked to do difficult tasks like picking up half eaten hotdogs and paper. The atmosphere is wonderful. Are you the Kettering City Parks people? My answer, 'No we are the Dayton Vineyard a church in you area that loves to serve the community.' It was interesting to see her smile and continue to comment more positively. 
  
To sign up to serve contact edossa@daytonvineyard.com or sign up on line here.
 
Serving our community is part of what we do to love our city into a relationship with Jesus. 


Good deeds, creates good will, that opens hearts, to the good news.
 Rusaw and Swanson The Externally Focused Church.



















You've Just Been Kissed



How's it works... this year we are focusing on teachers. So we will be making their day on Valentines Day by delivering 100's  of special Valentine cupcakes to the schools. Teachers need appreciation and the outreach helps us build bridges and also meets a need in a practical way. 

We will be helping the less served by placing large white bags on the chairs in our services with a fill-the-bag list. We will then use the items that come in to care for those who come to our food pantry.

Here's how we've done the outreach in the past.

special connect card goes into each pack

tables are located at all exits, red table cloths and fun balloons create a fun vibe.

The two weekends just before Valentines day. Our teens and children’s areas pack thousands of Hershie Kisses into small zip lock bags with our special ‘you’ve just been kissed’ connect card. People grab several of the bags as they leave the weekend services and go about kissing the people Dayton during the week.

packed by our VKidz spreading the value of kindness

 Instruction sheet helps people know what to do

 A couple of years ago I went to the gym on one of my usual gym days. (My wife tells me it’s a good thing.)

When I arrived I asked the receptionist, ‘Have you been kissed today?’ She smiled and said, ‘Nope, not today.’ I then gave her a pack said, ‘Well you’ve just been kissed.’ She laughed and exclaimed, ‘You’re from the Vineyard right?’ I replied, ‘Yep. We are kissing people all over the city this week.’



Here's another example of what we've done:

On Valentines Day we head out to a couple of strip malls near the Vineyard. We take the packs of kisses, and several buckets of carnations. We pop into the businesses and head to the customer service desk and ask, ‘How many ladies are working today?’

We then count out the flowers and Hershey packs…and say, ‘We are from the Vineyard and you’ve just been kissed.’

Usually some of the other assistants are around and join in the exchange. Often, a male worker will ask for a carnation for his girlfriend or wife. Some guys say, ‘Thanks for the reminder.’


Most people are open, curious, laugh and catch the vibe.


One Vineyard group went to a high end Spa/Hair place, all of the working ladies gathered to receive their flower. ‘Who are you guys? Others exclaim, ‘This is so cool.’ Or sigh, ‘This will be my only present today.'Flowers and kisses were also handed out to the ladies who were becoming beautiful-er.


One of the team noticed one of the ladies getting her hair cut didn't receive a flower. So being the sensitive, thinking person she is, made an extra special effort to find another team grab a flower and run back to the shop...when she gave the lady the flower, the surprised and delighted lady exclaimed, 'You've just made my day! Thank you.'

Really? Made her day? Makes me wonder what one of her days looks like? Makes me wonder if she was ever loved, or had a caring boy friend, or had husband, or is now connected to an uncaring guy?


What's in a gift of a small flower and a pack of kisses?


I think serving others in a fun, creative way sends an upbeat message to the people in our stressed out world.Serving others often is a small action that sends a signal that says, ‘Hey, someone cares for you.’ The action preformed with genuine love somehow touches the heart.

My friend Scott, says, ‘Agape love revealed… means my love is demonstrated as I serve others through the choices I make, and by the actions I take.’ 

Process for Kiss Dayton:
4 weeks out: have connect cards printed (www.marketplaceprinting)

4 weeks out: order Hershey Kisses (snacc foods Cincinnati)

4 weeks out: order 4”X4” zip bags (BGR bags West Chester OH)

4 weeks out: order boxes of Carnations for pick up (Cleveland Plants and Flowers Dayton)

2 weeks out: have kids or teens pack the bags
Week of: have packs placed at all exits
Valentine Day Outreach
3 days out: pick up flowers, cut stems and place in buckets of water so they will be open on the day

3 days out: design maps with instructions and contact phone numbers

3 days out: make name tags
3 days out: gather Kiss packs and place in a larger bags for transport or containers

Day of Valentines Day Outreach
Gather at 10am

Give Instructions: go to shops, go to check out or customer service, ask, How many ladies are working today, count out Kisses packs and flowers give to workers, Say,
‘We’re from the Vineyard and you’ve just been kissed.’ Also, be open to God's leading and offer pray with people as *God space is created.Divide up into teams Load up and head out.
After project head to Caribou Coffee, or Starbucks for download and great java.

 

Steve Bowen