Glen Avon Presbyterian Church

DOOR:

Discovering Opportunities for Outreach & Reflection

“DOOR exists to challenge individuals to consider ministry and service an essential, daily part of living out their authentic Christian faith. By meeting, learning from and working with diverse urban people, participants give and receive the love that God has for each person. Through these relationships they will explore together how to be faithful to Christ's call to be "salt" and "light" in today's turbulent world. DOOR seeks to provide ministry opportunities that will be both helpful to local people and lead to a deepened understanding of faith and ministry.

“Participants will explore the strengths as well as the needs of urban people and communities and will participate in various approaches to ministry in the city. The goal is that participants will have a new awareness of the city and its people, a new sense of God's presence in the city and a new desire to be actively involved in ministry and service. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their experiences and to explore ways in which new insights gained can be applied to their situation at home and future ministry. In this way DOOR seeks to motivate the church to be actively involved in bringing to reality the Kingdom of God in the world.

“The week-long DOOR program is designed for participants from high-school age and beyond and is open to all denominations. Groups are divided into work and meal teams (4-6 participants plus an adult sponsor/leader). Each day features a service assignment between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. followed by afternoon free time, dinner and an evening session.

“Examples of service assignments are preparing and serving meals at a soup kitchen; helping with children whose moms may be looking for a job, in school, or living on the streets; lawn and building maintenance for individuals, seniors and/or for organizations that temporarily house homeless families; stocking shelves in food banks; sorting donated clothing; taking a tour of a homeless shelter; meeting with and listening to groups that are working for change in the city; conversing and singing with senior citizens.

“Evening sessions include worship, presentations, and group reflection. Thursday evening is set aside for a time together to help participants reflect on and process what they have seen, felt, and learned during the course of each day. This is perhaps the most important time of the week. Issues raised are addressed in light of our calling as Christians to love others and to respond to those in need. On Wednesday evening a formal reflection time is not scheduled. DOOR does not provide supper on this evening so most groups choose to eat out and spend the evening seeing more of Denver.” http://www.doornetwork.org/history.htm