Missions and Outreach
Serving others is an important part of what Noel is all about. From mission trips to weekly ministries, Noel cares about others and wants to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. Discover ways you can get involved by contacting Rachel Scott, Minister of Service and Outreach at scottrl@bellsouth.net or call the church office at 318-221-5207. Here are some great opportunities to serve:
Noel Neighborhood Ministries
Noel Neighborhood Ministries has the largest food pantry in northwest Louisiana, giving out over 700 bags of food per month to needy people of Caddo Parish. The Food Pantry is operated by a part-time director, Susan Foster, and over 100 volunteers from Noel and various churches. Volunteers interview those seeking assistance, bag food, unload trucks, greet those entering the Food Pantry and serve on the board. The Food Pantry is open Monday – Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Another service offered through Neighborhood Ministries is "Start-up Kits" for those who have experienced a recent house fire or moving out of a shelter. If you're interested in volunteering, contact Susan Foster at 424-0434.
Adult Learning Center
Noel is partnering with Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal to offer adults the opportunity to learn computer skills, work toward their GED and participate in the Distance Learning Program of the Caddo School system. A classroom at Noel houses the program, and volunteers from Noel assist students in their learning. Linda Jamar coordinates this program for Noel, and she can be contacted at linda.jamar@gmail.com.
Noel Cafe-Wednesday Night Dinner
A hot meal is served at the church on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Volunteers are needed to cook, serve, and clean up. Contact Howard Hines at 861-4634 or Mike Hoffeditz at 219-7856 for volunteer information.
Souper Saturday
Soup is cooked and delivered to elderly and disabled people in our community by a group of Noel volunteers on the last Saturday of each month. We deliver soup to 50 – 60 people each month who receive meals on weekdays from Meals on Wheels, but need a meal on the weekend. Volunteers cook the soup, prepare bags for delivery, and deliver the soup. Leah Miller coordinates this ministry and she can be contacted at lele6b@bellsouth.net. See the Shreveport Times news article about this ministry at: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090212/LIVING/902120307
Annual Seasonal Mission Events
Easter Celebration Meal
Noel provides a free meal for the community each year on the Saturday of Palm Sunday weekend. This event averages serving over 700 people each year. Fun family activities, musical entertainment and a barbeque chicken lunch combine for a great resurrection celebration at Noel. Over 100 volunteers from the church assist in preparing and serving the food, coordinating activities for kids and meeting and greeting our neighbors.
The Giving Factory
For the Christmas season, Noel volunteers fill bags of food for over 200 elderly and disabled people in our community. The gym is set up with several assembly lines and Noel becomes a “Giving Factory” for those in need. This event is held on a Sunday in December before Christmas.
Highland Thanksgiving Dinner
A Thanksgiving dinner is prepared by Noel volunteers for over 100 residents of the Highland neighborhood around the church. This meal is coordinated with the Highland Friendship Houses of Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal.
Angel Tree
Toys for needy children are provided through the Angel Tree program each Christmas. A party is held for the children where they enjoy activities, refreshments, and receive their Angel Tree gifts.
Mexico Mission Trip
A team travels to Juarez, Mexico, each year in February to build houses, work in the medical clinic and lead a baseball camp through the Proyecto Abrigo Ministry in Juarez (see www.proyectoabrigo.org). The trip is for a week, and the cost of the trip is around $200.00 for Noel members and $300.00 for non-Noel members. Contact Rachel Scott at 797-8721 for more information.
Other Mission Trips
Short term mission trips are organized to locations within one day driving distance, such as, New Orleans (hurricane disaster recovery work), UMCOR Depot (warehouse in South Louisiana for receiving and shipping disaster supplies), Heifer Project in Arkansas, and other childrens' homes and community centers.