At Countryside we believe that our mission should not merely be words upon a wall but something that is lived out in real lives. Our world is in desperate need of hope, love, kindness, joy and other Christian principles that have shaped this movement for over 150 years. We desire, above all else, that people would experience these through our community and that the constant impression would be, "there is something different about this place!" Jesus promised to give life in "all of its fullness" and we hope and pray that Countryside YMCA would point people towards this type of life. Below are some of the ways that we uplift the "C" in the YMCA.
John 17:21
"that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me"
No longer just for the Young or just for Men, the C in our YMCA continues to stand strongly for Christian principles as established by our founders in1851. Click here for the history of the YMCA movement.
Here at Countryside we have an active Christian Emphasis Committee which meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 2:00.Our committee under the volunteer leadership of David Newman, pastor of the AntiochChurch of the Y has been busy establishing our new Chaplaincy program.
Christian Emphasis Activities:
World Week of Prayer- Historically held the 3rd week of November and celebrated in YMCAs around the world in 124 countries.
Random Acts of Kindness-is a project where the members of the committee plan in concert with interested staff and volunteer members “surprised” the general membership on a chosen day with a random act of kindness.Last year we washed member’s windshields and brightened the day for many as well and made many new friends.
Community Blood Drives-are held twice a year as an outreach project for the community.
Lebanon Food Pantry Food Drives- held during various times of the year, usually November and or February as a community outreach program.
Good Friday Prayer Breakfast-Countryside has hosted the prayer breakfast for over 20 years.It is very well attended by community and church leaders as well as the general membership of the YMCA and community at large.The public is invited, there is no charge.The music is beautifully presented and there is always a dynamic guest speaker with a meaningful message for the heart.It is held in the lower level gym at 7:30 AM. RSVP requested.
Christmas Wish List Project- Celebrating the spirit of giving at Christmas is a special privilege for the giver as well as those who receive.It came to the attention of the Christian Emphasis committee several years agothat there were some family members of the Y who would not be celebrating Christmas because Mom or Dad were unemployed, injured or recently suffered a loss.In keeping with the Christian value of Caring, the Christian Emphasis Committee now partners closely with the scholarship program identifying families who wouldn’t be able to have a tree or the gifts to go under it.Historically, the committee, staff and Sr.Center have worked together to support this important spirit of Christmas outreach.If you are interested in participating in this program, please check at the front desk during December and ask about how you can get involved.
Christian Wallyball is a program originally established as a Christian Singles recreation and fellowship program. In existence for over a decade the program eventually celebrated several unions of marriage. Amen! The group continues to serve singles as well as couples with an evening of Christian fellowship and recreation followed up with refreshments and devotion time.
ClassesBuilding Healthy Spirit and Mind
Blue Print for Life-Life Coaching based on Christian principles.
