2017 iServe Report
Reaching our community with a message of hope and wholeness by being the hands and feet of Jesus is the mission of iServe - a coalition of services that members of the Rutland Seventh-day Adventist Church are engaged in to meet the needs of those around them. Every Tuesday morning some of those involved in iServe ministries gather in our well designed officeto pray, study, discuss current issues arising from their projects, and plan how to help in the local community. Others who contribute do so from their homes.
iServe has quilters, knitters, crocheters,seamstresses, shoppers, and donors all working together to provide relief and encouragement to people with specific needs.
The iServe logo consists of many hands reaching up and symbolizes a branching tree. Under this canopy of hands are projects such as Bags of Love, Bundles of Joy, Postpartum Support Group, Mom’s Network, Quilts and Needles, Health Expo, and the Hopeful Cafe and Oil Change.
iServe began with a vision to consider the needs of young children who are taken from their homes and put in foster care due to difficult situations in their families and/or homes. Kits called Bags of Love have been made up for different age groups of boys and girls and are available to Social Workers to give to the children moving into their foster home.The community social workers report that the children’s response is very positive. Prayers follow each Bag of Love that is put together by the kindness of the church members and the iServe team.
This initial need was soon followed by creating smaller bags for newborn layettes for a mother in hospital who did not have some of the necessities for her baby. The Bundles of Joy bags are filled with needed items including a hand made sweater and quilt or fleece blanket made by the iServe team.
Kits for mothers in hospital with no personal toiletries have also been assembled and they come in a medium sized, colourful cosmetic bag full of basic hygiene products that she might need. The Kelowna General Hospital maternity social worker has been helpful in distributing these kits and baby bundles to those who really need them and liaison with iServe when reserves run low.
Kelowna Assistance for Postpartum Depression (KAPD) is a service for mothers who have depression following delivery of their baby. It has been functioning in the Rutland area for almost 15 years. Any mother or father in need of a support group for helping them develop strategies and understanding to cope with the effects of anxiety or depression associated with maternal health is welcome to attend the Tuesday morning sessions from 11-12 noon. Contact 250-860-5096 for information and referral.