Summer Night Lights 2010

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together!" African Proverb

Do you believe that this is true? We at Kingdom Causes actually build our efforts on this conviction. One of our default questions that we ask before we move forward on any project is how can this important effort be more collaborative. Especially when it comes to seeing an impact of a more vibrant "Church of the City" expression?

One project like this that we are heavily involved in and are really excited about is a collaborative community event called Summertime in the LBC at MLK Park. This is actually an 8 week community gathering that is sponsoring events each night of the week geared for neighborhood families. The local congregations have been given each Wednesday evening to bring a night of fun and a message of hope to the community. The events for the weeks will be as follows:

July 14 - Eastside Laugh Factory
July 21 - Eastside Idol
July 28 - Open Mic Night
August 4 - Karaoke
August 11 - Long Beach's Got Talent
August 18 - Long Beach's Best Dance Crew and So You Think You Can Dance?
August 25 - MLK Block Party
September 1 - Live Drama

Local residents are the stars! The treasure hunt for raw talent is on! Each week, after the time of fun and craziness, the evening with conclude with a brief message of hope from a local pastor.

This project has been made possible by the working together of the following groups: Councilman Dee Andrews, Office of 6th Council District, City of Long Beach D.H.H.S. Weed and Seed Program, Ministers Alliance of Long Beach , Antioch Church, Treasure Box, Parkcrest 7th Street, New Life Church of the Nazarene, and Victory Outreach Long Beach!

It started as a "what could be possible if we all worked together" conversation over some good food at King's Fish House on Pine Avenue with Councilman Dee Andrews, Kingdom Causes staff, a number of local pastors and some Christians that also happen to work as MLK park staff in various capacities.

Come and check it out one Wednesday night this Summer!

Back to School Drive 2010

Last year, we ended the drive with a total of 1,282 backpacks for junior high school students, and 22 backpacks for elementary school students!

If you would like more information visit the Kingdom Causes Website or would like to donate please contact Kingdom Causes Long Beach at longbeach@kingdomcauses.org or Long Beach Rescue Mission at volunteer@LBRM.org

Large Commercial Size Freezer Space Needed!

Kingdom Causes is taking part in an 8 week long Summer outreach in partnership with various entities here in the city and we are excited to be able to share the hope of the Gospel each week!

I need some help finding some commercial size freezer space. We have been able to secure a significant donation of food from a great partner organization with one "little minor catch" - we need to find freezer space to store the entire delivery this Saturday and then be able to access it on a weekly basis on Wednesdays between July 14th and Sept 1st. We are looking for some help so that we can utilize this great opportunity.

Here is what we will be receiving:

We would be happy to donate 2500 each of Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. This equals 31 cases.

Hamburgers
18" x 10" x 14"
1.44 cu feet
18 cases
26 cu feet
756 lbs

Hot Dogs
16.5" x 11.25" x 5.5"
.58 cu feet
13 cases
8 cu feet
338 lbs

Total
31 cases
34 cu feet
1094 lbs

Let me know if you someone/someplace that would be willing to allow us to keep this frozen. Thanks!

Pressing On~
Brad Fieldhouse

WOW Jams happening in Long Beach this week

They seemed to appear literally overnight. Empty school fences, vacant corner lots and bare exterior church buildings all at once seemed to have been plastered with these yellow signs. It is hard to drive very far across town without seeing one flapping in the wind. If that wasn’t enough, numerous groups of volunteers have been hitting the streets passing out hundreds of flyers to every one of their neighbors that they come across. In unison, these banners and flyers are announcing the return of the WOW Jams here in Long Beach.

What exactly is a WOW Jam? Well, it’s basically a community party thrown by local congregations for thousands of their neighbors. Because of strong community support, everything is FREE. Local people provide free haircuts, free contests and prizes, free make-overs, free plants, free family portraits, free groceries, free dinner and so much more. Free, free, free. It is quite an impressive undertaking. Stephen and Linda Tavani (“Peaches” from the group Peaches and Cream – “Reunited” anyone?) are the leaders of the WOW International organization that helps local congregations host these events all across the country.

Beyond the message of hope that these events help communicate, what gets us most excited to see is that local congregations are working together! We need to see more of this in Long Beach. Over 50 local congregations from our city have come together, crossing denomination, size and ethnic lines to collaborate on these 3rd annual gatherings. This important community stakeholder group is an important part of a flourishing city – economically, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually whole!

The West side hosted their event last night and there are 2 more planned for later this week.

Friday, June 25th – Houghton Park in North Long Beach (6301 Myrtle Ave by Jordan HS)
Saturday, June 26th – Poly High School (1600 Atlantic Ave on the football field)

All events start at 4:00 pm and conclude at dusk.

June School News Article

It was a treat to see Kingdom Causes along with several community partners in the School News June issue. Here is what Principal David Downing wrote about Hamilton Middle School:

Outstanding Community Partners Science Fair


Community volunteers from North Long Beach joined Hamilton staff recently as Science Fair judges. This year, Hamilton invited community partners to adjudicate and the people responded enthusiastically. Staff and students were greatly encouraged by the volunteers who generously gave of their time, celebrating student creativity and scholarship. Kingdom Causes Long Beach recently joined with Light and Life West, Church One, Community Grace Brethren, Treasure Box, Fountain of Life and HANDS On International, to thank Hamilton teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers were surprised at their May 4th staff meeting with a lovely spread of food, beverages, beautiful decorations, and generous gifts. Hamilton is grateful for thoughtful community partners who contribute their time and talent serving the great work of teachers and students!

If you would like to see the article click here on School News on Page 11.