Honduras forum November 17th

There will be a forum to discuss the coup and political crisis in Honduras on Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 PM at St. Regis Church in Oakland (3250 Parkview Ave, 412-681-9365). The event is organized by the Pittsburgh Central American Solidarity Committee. The flyer for the event can be found by clicking here , and if you are interested in learning more about it, you can contact John Soluri by email: jsoluri@andrew.cmu.edu .

Jim McDowell Pottery Sale/Fundraiser

Saturday, November 14
11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sixth Presbyterian Church
Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh PA
(Murray Avenue entrance)

Jim McDowell is again sharing his gift through a sale of his pottery this Saturday, November 14th. 40% of all sales will go toward Pittsburgh Presbytery's Lazarus Fund.

Jim and his wife Jan Fisher are members of Sixth. He has been a studio potter for more than 30 years and is well represented in museums and galleries across the country. While young Colin, above, holds one of Jim's bowls, Jim is perhaps best known for his face jugs, which he makes to "pay homage to [his] ancestors, those who survived the Middle Passage."

For more on Jim's work, see www.blackpotter.com.

For more on the Lazarus Fund, see www.pghpresbytery.org/justice/lazarus_fund.htm .

Neighborhood Academy Lunch: Chili With a Dash of Love

From Diana:

"We recently orchestrated another very successful group effort on behalf of the NA students and staff. Brenda F., Pam H. and I met at the church Monday evening and prepared enough chili for 50 people and prepared 8 loaves of Italian bread--buttered--for the entire group. Carol and Bill B. brought to the church on Sunday enough chili for 50. Then on Tuesday morning I heated up all the chili, and Louise F., Jenn F-G, Jonas and I loaded the car, drove to the school, unloaded, and served the meal along with a large tossed salad, apple juice and brownies (by Trish C.) and cookies (by Michael S.). Checkers joined us at the school (where she had already had a personal tour) and helped serve.

Just about everything was eaten. Actually, only some apple juice was left! Students and staff were most appreciative. If you want reimbursement for the costs of food purchase, please fill out a request form in the office, clearly marking the purpose and submit it to Maggie.

Our next lunch is THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4. Please notify me if you know already that you would like to help.

Thanks to all."

PCUSA article about Open Hands Ministries

Here's a link to a wonderful article about the amazing work being done by Open Hands Ministries here in Pittsburgh:

http://www.pcusa.org/seminaries/stantonpittsburgh.htm

The next work day is coming up soon on Saturday November 7th. Please contact Bryan Webler [ bryan.webler@gmail.com ] if you'd like to join the group from Sixth Church in their efforts to help to provide disadvantaged families the opportunity for affordable homeownership in the economically challenged Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Garfield and East Liberty.

THREE great ways to support EECM!

A lot is happening with the East End Community Ministry these days! In addition to Sixth's ongoing support efforts of EECM including our food pantry contributions and men's shelter meals, here are THREE great additional ways we can help to support this amazing organization that provides so much help to our neighbors in need:

Whole Foods 5% Day - Wednesday, October 28, 2009, - 8am to 10pm

Grab your grocery list and support EECM while you shop! On Wednesday, October 28th, Whole Foods Market will donate 5% of their sales for the day to East End Cooperative Ministry. EECM staff and volunteers will be on hand to distribute information about their many programs. They will also be giving away a limited number of EECM reusable shopping bags, so hurry in!

The 6th Annual Houses of Worship Architectural Tour

Celebrating the beauty within our community! (Church of the Redeemer, Sixth Presbyterian Church, and Temple Sinai,Sunday, November 1, 2:00 PM -- 4:00 PM)

Tour begins at 2:00 PM at Church of the Redeemer (5700 Forbes Ave.). Admission to the Tour is $20 plus a bag of non-perishable groceries for EECM's Food Pantry. Tour price includes docent-led tours of each congregation highlighting its history, art, and architecture, and a light reception at Church of the Redeemer. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 412.361.5549. Tickets will also be available the day of the Tour. This is a great way to help out EECM and to learn more about the amazing architecture of Sixth Church and a few of our neighbors' houses of worship as well! And feel free to quiz one of our Sixth Docents to test their newly-gained knowledge of our church! They are Joan Gaul, Carole Emerson, Fred O'Leary, Dave Wood, and David Miller.

Share the Warmth! EECM's Annual Coat Drive

Do you have coats and jackets taking up space in your closet that never get worn? Why not donate them to East End Cooperative Ministry's homeless clients? EECM is accepting new and very gently (lovingly, even) used coats and jackets. Especially needed are men's coats in extra large sizes. Coats may be dropped off at the barrel located near the back doors of the chapel at Sixth. More information can be obtained by contacting Dave Wood.

More details about all of these and other wonderful EECM programs can be found by clicking their link in our column to your right --->

Stewardship Sunday Nov 8th - C&C summary

Sixth's annual Stewardship Sunday is coming up on November 8th!

Here is the information about the Church and Community to be included for that day:

The Church and Community committee is the mission arm of Sixth Church. Our committee’s work allows the gifts of volunteerism and financial support from the members and friends of Sixth Church to reach local and global communities and people who need our help.

Our committee selects organizations that may need financial or volunteer support to better serve others for a mission that is aligned with Sixth’s own mission. These include organizations focused on hunger relief efforts, local cooperative ministries, and social justice organizations.

Our committee coordinates the More Light Presbyterians initiative at Sixth Church, working on inclusiveness and equality issues for lesbian, gay and transgendered persons.

Our committee has worked with and supported organizations like Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, East End Cooperative Ministries, Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Neighborhood Academy, Mars Home for Youth, Camp Crestfield (Youth Scholarship Fund), Lazarus Fund of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, Just Harvest, Church World Services, CROP, Goats for Gifts: For Rwandan Women Affected by the Genocide, Open Hands Ministry and Global Links to help to provide aid and help where needed for the people these organizations serve.

Our committee communicates through e-mail, a weblog, bulletin announcements, the Sixth Sense newsletter, word of mouth, and a few committee meetings, typically about four a year.

Please contact Fred O’Leary ( fredoleary@gmail.com ) or Kit Ayars ( kit@pitt.edu ) if you are interested in being a part of this amazing piece of our life here at Sixth Church!

Tom Juring and his committee have planned a very special program to kick off our stewardship campaign, and of course a delicious lunch as always! Hope to see you all there ....

Next Meeting: December 6th

We're heading into a very busy time of the church family year, but please set aside some time now for a Church and Community Committee meeting on Sunday, December 6th, in the parlor.

We will make our final set of 2009 allocations at this meeting, and we have the possibility of two guest speakers on issues of interest and concern (anti-sweatshop efforts and affordable neighborhood housing).