Mother’s Day Project

A joint program of PCUSA World Mission and Presbyterian Women, the Mother’s Day Project is a simple and meaning mission activity that Presbyterians have supported since 2001. This year the program is being broadened from a prior focus on poor African countries to include other countries around the world where Presbyterians work with partner churches helping families struggling in poverty. The program is also transitioning from a focus on health services to include initiatives to empower women and children such as literacy training, primary and secondary education, non-formal education and women’s leadership development. Mother’s Day is May 12 and cards will be made available on Sundays prior to that. Watch for a table set up in the Gathering Space.

 ~ Marsha Henderson

 

Midnight Run Reflection

Thank you to all who contributed to the successful Midnight Run on March 10. The work started at noon when the Youth Group began assembling bag lunches. Over the next three hours we built stacks of hearty turkey and ham sandwiches, baked trays of chocolate chip cookies and put everything together to make 104 lunches! Each bag featured hand-drawn designs and pictures to give a personal touch.

Our Midnight Run team arrived at church at 5:30 to load the van with everything from winter coats, sweaters, shirts, pants, socks, underwear, scarves & hats to the toiletry kits assembled by the middle school class and the lunches made that afternoon. Finally, essential components on a cold night, giant urns of hot soup and coffee, prepared by the church school classes and Bud & Gloria Coccodrilli, were loaded.

At last we were off!  As we arrived at our first few stops with small groups of people, we began to worry that the early hour (particularly with the time change), had thrown people off. “Are we in the wrong place?”  “Is it the wrong time?”  “Maybe it’s a good sign- that there’s less homeless in New York.” Unfortunately, we learned that this was not the case as we arrived at our last stop: St Bart’s Episcopal Church on Park Avenue.

Dozens of homeless people slept, talked, or wandered near the front of this landmark.  By day, this strip of sidewalk across the street from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel would have been packed with well-dressed Manhattanites, businessmen, wealthy shoppers, and tourists, but at night it was crowded with a different society all together. Luckily, we had a van full of clothing, food, and supplies to give.

We stayed well past the time when we had meant to head home, making sure that everyone had all that they needed. Despite the size of the crowd and their desperate living situation, there were no fights and no arguments- no pushing, or shoving, or raised voices. People stood back and waited their turn, and we kept busy serving food and searching for the items they needed.

Our Sabbath may not have been restful, but on the ride home, as our energetic discussions gave way to sleepy exhaustion, I couldn’t help but feel closer to God than ever.

~ Kelly Humphrey

 

Mission Commission March 2013

The Mission Commission has been looking into ways we can have more of an impact as we do God’s work.  Please think about joining us on March 12 at 7:30pm as we work together to help set this year’s mission work.

Things in Place

We’ll be taking up the One Great Hour of Sharing offering during the month of March.  The offering goes to support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People.  We have seen first-hand how PDA has responded to those who have been displaced by Hurricane Sandy, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support these ministries of our national church.  You can learn more about the offering at www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/specialofferings/one-great-hour-sharing-offering/

The Midnight Run in February got snowed out but we’ll be doing a run on Sunday, March 10 and Friday, April 19. More information can be found in the article below.

We currently are drinking fair trade coffee during coffee hour.  We’re looking to make sure that everyone in church knows why we are doing this, and how we can all participate.

Finally, we are talking about mission trips-locally, nationally and internationally.  The work done by volunteers in early January to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy is one way in which we can help out.

Find anything here that you like?  We hope so.  Contact either Connie Knapp or Nance Thompson who are the co-chairs of the Mission Commission this year.

 

College Students Mission Trip to Far Rockaway, Queens – Jan. 7 to 11

Mission Commission Report – September, 2012

Jan Peek Volunteers

September 22: ?? Call Bud Coccodrilli (245-6475) if you can help.

Thank you to Prauda and Dixon Families for the June dinner; Bud, Gloria, Amy, Kiera and Meghan for the July dinner; the Shaughnessy and Mills families for the August dinner.

The Rural and Migrant Ministry Needs Your Help

Rural Migrant Ministry (RMM) needs donations for their Silent Auction’s “Sowing Seeds for Justice” dinner. Baskets of cheer, pasta, baby items, books, or any other theme would be welcome. Vacation homes, jewelry, scarves, afghans are some items that have been donated in the past.

Sowing Seeds for Justice Dinner on October 27, 2012
St. Bartholomew’s Church
82 Prospect St., White Plains, NY
Reception and Dinner @ 6p.m.

4p.m. U Roberto Romano’s Film The Harvest/La Cosecha
& Presentation on the lives of migrant children & their families.

RMM is also in need of a van in good working condition.

Contact Lynda Spring @ sprinla@hotmail.com or 914-528-7570

Noon Time Meal

The Noontime Meal for September will be prepared in the Peekskill Presbyterian Church kitchen on Sept. 11. The meal (trees and leaves, as the clients have named it) will be served the next day, Wed., Sept. 12, at the Peekskill Salvation Army by the SA staff assisted by Squeegee Mills.

Interested in knowing more about the Noontime Meal Program? Call Squeegee Mills (845-621-3178) or Ken Sherman (914-737-8294).

Amnesty International

Please come to the Amnesty table in Fellowship Hall on September 16 (the Sunday following our annual picnic) to sign letters requesting justice for those who are being treated unfairly around the world.

Carol Myers, Elder

SPARC

A thank you from SPARC, one of the groups that share our building:

We are so grateful for the special arrangements you have made possible through use of your facility for SPARC’s children and adults with developmental disabilities. The therapeutic and social programs they receive are not otherwise available in their lives. Your group has made an impact in improving quality of life experiences for others and it is deeply appreciated.

Service Opportunities

Join us in Service Opportunities in Ministry. View the list and click “I’m interested” to join in service.

Chip

Mission – June, 2012

The  Noontime Meal for May was prepared in the Peekskill Presbyterian Church kitchen on May 8,.  The grocery shopping for the ingredients was done by Ruth Deemer.  The following people met at 2:30 pm to prepare the trays of nutritious food: Dick Hunter, Fran Schiel, Ken Sherman, Priscilla Lucas, Jerrie Pospisil, Mary Lou McArdle, Pam Darreff, Bruce Johnson, Richard Mills, Emily Monk, John Collins, and Squeegee Mills.

The meal (trees and leaves, as the clients have named it) was served the next day, Wed., May 9, at the Peekskill Salvation Army by the SA staff assisted by Squeegee Mills.  Dessert for the day was provided by Tricia Dineen.

Interested in knowing more about the Noontime Meal Program?  Call Squeegee Mills (845-621-3178) or Ken Sherman (914-737-8294).

Amnesty International

Please come to the Amnesty table in Fellowship Hall on the second Sunday of each month, to sign letters and petitions requesting justice for those who are being unfairly treated around the world.

    Carolyn Blaney – Youth Elde;, Carol Meyers – Elder

Confirmation Class Says Thanks for Assisting the Mission Project: Helping Syria!

The Confirmation Class  thanks everyone who bought sweets and gave money to the Syria Humanitarian Relief Fund. Together we raised $1,000. Some people even donated using our new credit card phone app.

With your donations we will be able to help Syrians during this very difficult time in their country’s history.

        Thank you, 2012 Confirmation Class

Pastor’s Relief Fund Available

We understand that this is a difficult time for families in our church who are unemployed. If the church can be helpful, the Pastor’s Relief Fund is available for short term help. Please contact Chip if you need to. And if you wish to donate, to the fund, please put “Pastor’s Relief Fund” on your check and drop it in the collection plate or mail it to the office.

Mission – May, 2012

 

Mother’s Day Cards on Sale April 29 and May 6 - Support “Healthy Women Healthy Families Project”

The Mission Commission will be offering Mother’s Day cards to support the PCUSA program HEALTHY WOMEN HEATHY FAMILIES.  The cards will be available following both services on  April 29 and May 6. The recommended donation is $10.00.

The Project benefits a variety of programs that protect and restore the health of women and children in four African countries: Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo,Ethiopia, and the Republic of South Sudan.  Programs supported through the Mother’s Day Project include prenatal and obstetrical care, fistula surgery, cervical cancer screening, immunizations, nutrition, health screening and primary care for children and health education and malaria prevention.

                                                                                                                                                                        Marsha Henderson

Pentecost Offering – May 27

The annual Pentecost Offering will be received on May 27. The focus of the Pentecost Offering is to help fund programs to aid at-risk youth, both through the PC(USA) General Assembly and in our local community.

The Mission Commission will direct the Pentecost offering that stays local, which is 40% of the collection, to the Maternal Child Program supported by the Dominican Sisters Family Health Service in Ossining, NY (a visiting nurse agency). Our share of the Pentecost offering is to be used to help children in need, and this new mission will set up a fund/grant that can be used at the discretion of Terry Georgio, RN Program Manager of the Maternal Child Program. This program uses donated funds to help buy baby items for newborns in need inWestchesterCounty. In past years the Maternal Child Team has bought items ranging from breast pumps, breast shields, cribs, diapers, high chairs, car seats, baby food, clothing for newborns and books and toys for newborns and their older siblings.

            For more information call Nance Thompson at 528-2648.

Our Mission Commission is assessing interest in a mission opportunity— rebuilding homes, mostly in the New Orleans Ninth Ward, with Habitat and the Southern Louisiana Presbytery. There is also a Summer Youth Program 2012 (SYP), sponsored by the Olive Tree Presbyterian Church in the evenings. This program sounds exciting and includes time to discuss our faith, worship time and some field trips to the Latin Quarter, etc. Adults are also welcome as building volunteers.

The week available with youth program, SYP, July 1–July 6. There is also a building week during July 22 with no SYP, as of now, because there are no youth signed up yet. They will offer the SYP if more than five youths sign up. However, they still need volunteers and would welcome a group of adults as well. There are also possible times in August for volunteer groups, no programs. Youth should be ages 14 and up.

The cost per person is $300, which includes program for each teen with field trips, food, bed, tools to borrow, etc. We need to know of interest by MAY 13 , so that we can look into group air fares.There is money in the Mission Budget to help out with air fare, etc.

Please send an e-mail to Heidi @ hkharing@optonline.net, speak to Jean Post-Winget, or leave a message at 737-9047–Heidi’s phone by May 13. Thanks!

                                                                                                                                                                                                Heidi Haring

Amnesty International

Please come to the Amnesty table in Fellowship Hall on the second Sunday of each month, to sign letters and petitions requesting justice for those who are being unfairly treated around the world.

                                                                                                                                                Carolyn Blaney, Youth Elder

Mission Commission – April, 2012

Jan Peek Volunteers

April 28: Hawlk and Marsh families May 26: ?? June 23: ??
Call Bud Coccodrilli (245-6475) if you can help.
Thank you to the Clark/Gilbert family for the March dinner.

 

Living Waters for the World — Our Sunday School Project

As most of you are aware, our Sunday School has been learning about the global issues of access to clean water. We have also learned about a low-tech, relatively low-cost solution for filtering water to make it potable: the Living Waters for the World Systems promoted by the National Presbyterian Church. You can see a version of this system on our poster board in the Gathering Space on April 1 and periodically throughout the spring.

We have collected and raised nearly $1,500 thus far and so we are half way to our goal of $3,000 for a water system to be installed in Haiti in one of two facilities that serve children and the community. More information to come next month.

We will even be able to establish a relationship with this community of children and adults and I am assured by their former pastor that they are lovely people whom we will enjoy getting to know through cards, letters, and maybe a visit in the coming years. This spring our Sunday School will be raising more money through their Sunday morning church school offerings and through a few activities; perhaps one by the teens on Palm Sunday.

REMINDER: Easter Offering, April 8

 

 

We will direct half of the Easter offering to Living Waters to help us reach our goal of $1,500 more dollars by Children’s Sunday. The other half of the Easter Offering will go to My Second Home in Mt. Kisco. Also watch for coming attractions: more education about our project and the place it will go and any activities for further fund raising. We hope to have the full amount by Children’s Sunday so that the children can help dedicate the donation to Haiti then. We wish to thank you in advance for your help to provide clean water to deserving children through our Easter offering.

Heidi Haring, Mission Commission

Mother’s Day Cards on Sale – April 29 and May 6
Support “Healthy Women Healthy Families Project”

The Mission Commission will once again offer Mother’s Day cards to support the PCUSA program HEALTHY WOMEN HEATHY FAMILIES. The cards will be available following both services on April 29 and May 6. The recommended donation is $10.00.

The Healthy Women Healthy Families Mother’s Day Project benefits a variety of programs that protect and restore the health of women and children in four African countries: Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and the Republic of South Sudan. Programs supported through the Mother’s Day Project include prenatal and obstetrical care, fistula surgery, cervical cancer screening, immunizations, nutrition, health screening and primary care for children and health education and malaria prevention.

For more information please call Marsha Henderson at 245-3924.

Amnesty International

Please come to the Amnesty table in Fellowship Hall on the second Sunday of each month, to sign letters and petitions requesting justice for those who are being unfairly treated around the world.

Carol Myers

Pastor’s Relief Fund Available for Needy Families

Given the current economic conditions, we have established a Pastor’s Relief Fund for needy families within our congregation. If you wish to donate, please put “Pastor’s Relief Fund” on your check and drop it in the collection plate or mail it to the office.

Mission Commission – March, 2012

Amnesty International

Please come to the amnesty table in Fellowship Hall on the second Sunday of each month, to sign letters and petitions requesting justice for those who are being unfairly treated around the world.

Caroline Blaney

Jan Peek Volunteers

March 25: Clark/Gilbert family

April 28: Hawlk and Marsh families

May 26: ???

Call Bud Coccodrilli (245-6475) if you can help.

Thank you to the Humphrey & Santagata families for the February Dinner.

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering—March 18

Sharing resources, changing lives

Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with those in need. Your generous gifts assist those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and help build strong communities through self development of people.

Home Front Building Project – May 5

On Saturday, May 5th, we will be building and repairing a home for a community member through Home Front, “a community-based, volunteer-driven home repair program that provides FREE repairs to low-income homeowners, thus enabling them to remain in their homes with an improved quality of life.”

We are still looking for volunteers to help with this project.  Contact Jean Post-Winget to sign up.

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