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Home > Tabor Publications > Tabor Talk Articles: The problem with running the rat race is that if you win, you're still a rat. While we like the feeling of accomplishment, we are judged by how busy we are or what we own. Deep inside we feel a conflicting urge. When not filling our minds with so much noise, we hear the call to simplify our lives. We fill our lives with noise so we can't hear the call and feel the conflict. By the age of eight, kids spend hours involved in extracurricular activities. We spend money on lavish homes, but barely spend any time enjoying them. Free time is spent watching television or in the mall. In fact, America has more shopping malls than churches. This is the result of America's unprecedented prosperity since 1950. We are busier and more prosperous than ever, yet surveys show we are less happy. I found humor in a local shopping mall advertisement this past Christmas. "Simplify your life, come to our mall." I must confess that I went to that mall once. I found the parking lot resembled a rat maze more than the simple haven . . . "as seen on TV." But there is good news. The New Year has arrived and it's time for those resolutions. I encourage you to sacrifice a television show and listen to the voice that is calling you to a restructured life. Here are some questions to get you thinking about simplifying your life. What expenses can I cut to enable me to give more to charity this year? What expenses can I cut to allow me to reduce more debt this year? What can I cut out of my life to allow more time for volunteering and personal reflection? What activity can I cut out to spend more time playing or talking with my family? After answering these questions, have a similar discussion with your family. We can't change our culture, but small changes within ourselves make the world a better place. Happy New Year!
Gretchen was born and raised in Wilmington, DE. She moved to Lancaster three years ago and resided at the Water Street Rescue Mission for three months. After that time, she moved to Harb-Adult, where she stayed for another three months. Although she had heard of Tabor through her stays at Water Street and Harb-Adult, however, it wasn't until she returned to the Rescue Mission a second time that she was recommended to Tabor Community Services. After attending a Shelter to Independent Living orientation, Gretchen became a client of Charlotte's. "Charlotte is a counselor, mentor, sister and friend all rolled into one," Gretchen gushed of her counselor. It was in June of 2000 that Gretchen began her counseling at Tabor. A few short months later, she moved into an apartment with her baby daughter. At the time she was working as a retail manager. She has been in her apartment for over a year and has been paying her own bills and keeping up with her finances since day one . However, her counselor keeps an eye on her. "Charlotte keeps me positive and keeps up with my bill payments," she says, "She corrects me if I am making a mistake and I am open to that help." Gretchen has also talked to a Consumer Credit Counselor about paying off past debts accumulated before her move to Lancaster. Gretchen now works at the Water Street Rescue Mission. In June of 2001, she began working with third and fourth graders at the Rescue Mission's youth camp. That has turned into a part time position as an Assistant Teacher with the mission's Wonder Club. She also works part time at the Water Street Thrift Store. She considers this her adult-time and loves being able to talk to other people living at the Mission. "By talking to other people at the store, I can plant seeds of hope." The store gives her the opportunity to share some of her history and insight with others in similar situations. "It's really great and I love it!" she says of her experiences at the store. The Rescue Mission's Learning Center, where Gretchen has taken classes, has asked her to become a mentor. When asked, she says she exclaimed, "Praise God! I want to help everybody." Through all of her troubles and successes, Gretchen claims the most important influence in her life is God. She believes he is her foundation and that she has only gotten this far by his grace. "God has given me peace within," she states. It is with this peace that Gretchen was able to begin making changes in her life and accept the help of others. Although she is doing so well, Gretchen is not ready to leave Tabor just yet. "Having someone help manage my finances is a good thing," she says. "Tabor is a blessing for a lot of people."
Santa's sleigh definitely landed at Tabor this Christmas season. Gifts of every shape and size lined the hallways and offices as our Adopt-A-Family program was in full swing. With such a huge outpouring of generosity, it was hard not to catch the Christmas spirit! At Tabor, we understand that many of our clients are working hard to get back on their feet financially. Their budgets are very tight, making Christmastime stressful and discouraging. Through this program, clients are adopted by local churches, businesses, organizations and families. The donors bought gifts for these clients and their families, helping to ease the financial burden of Christmas and giving an emotional boost to these families! Thank you to all of those who adopted families. It helped brightened the holidays for many of our clients!
On December 13th, Tabor hosted an evening of festive shopping at Ten Thousand Villages in Ephrata. Christmas entertainment and refreshments were provided as shoppers browsed the store filled with handicrafts from all over the world. The International Tea Room served up a delicious Bolivian Buffet dinner to shoppers. Tabor received fifteen percent of all proceeds taken in that night. Thanks to everyone who came out to shop, eat and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere!
Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) is a time-saving way for you to contribute to Tabor Community Services. EFT is an automatic transfer program which allows you to make contributions without writing checks. Once you authorize the transfer, your specified contribution is electronically transferred directly from your checking or savings account to Tabor's account on the date you set. Your bank statement then gives you an itemized list of electronic transfers. You may ask, "Is EFT risky?" Electronic contributions are less risky than check contributions. It can't be lost, stolen or destroyed in the mail, and it has an extremely high rate of accuracy. And… you save a stamp to mail your check! Why contribute in this way? This is what Tabor's first Electronic Fund Transfer participant, Michael Sprunger has to say. "There have been missed opportunities for me to give as I have, on occasion, forgotten to pick up and complete donation return forms. So, when the opportunity arose to take advantage of this new service, I jumped at it. Now, I know that each month a small amount is taken out toward a larger pledge I have made to Tabor. It really is a painless way to make sure that the organization receives the funds that it needs and I can afford to give." For more information on Electronic Fund Transfer, please call the Development office at 397-5182 ext. 130. Jubilee House, a transitional home for formerly homeless women and their children who have successfully completed a drug treatment program, is in need of furniture.
If you have these items to donate, please contact Gretchen Haubner at 397-5182, extension 112.
Tabor has taken a close look at our volunteer needs and categorized them into three main areas that we will be concentrating on in the next few months. 1. Mail Room Day 2. Mentor training and implementation. 3. Teaching If you or your organization has an interest in any of these programs, please contact Gretchen Haubner at 397-5182, ext.112. Date: Time: Location: Speaker: We will also be honoring our Volunteer and Program Client of the year. Call Gretchen Haubner at 397-5182, extension 112 to make a reservation.
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