Notes from the March Meeting

Church & Community Committee Meeting Notes : 3/07/10

The Committee met in the parlor. Fifteen people were in attendance. The meeting opened with a prayer by Jane Fox.

Because of the late start due to the New Members’ Reception, the agenda was revised to discuss the Mission Funding allocation first.

Funding Allocations: A preliminary allocation schedule was presented for discussion by Chairperson Bill Beggs. After some discussion about the history of Sixth’s relationship with the Mars Home for Youths, the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, Camp Crestfield, and Neighborhood Academy, it was proposed and accepted by acclamation to renew the support of EECM, Neighborhood Academy, Mars Home for Youth, Camp Crestfield, and Goats for Gifts at the same level as 2009. The allowance for reimbursements for Neighborhood Academy lunches was increased to better represent expected needs. Allocation of most of the remaining funds will be determined at the next meeting.

Additional discussion, initiated by Sue Koehler, centered on a policy of dealing with missions that might be supported both by C&C Committee and an appeal to the congregation. In particular, the Lazarus Fund and Disaster Assistance, like for Haiti and Chile, fall in this category. This discussion will be continued at the next meeting.

Finally, the Committee recommends that a proposal be presented to Session to offer the congregation an opportunity to support a Chile Disaster Assistance campaign.

Correspondence, Announcements and Updates:

• Thank You Notes were received from More Life and First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood for our contributions.
• Newsletters have been received from EECM, Greater Pgh Community Food Bank, GASP, Mission Mosaic (Presbytery Disaster Assistance), Neighborhood Academy, and Loaves and Fishes.

• Appeals for support were received from EECM “Have a Heart for Hunger” campaign, Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute (PPI), St. Margaret’s Foundation. The committee had no interest in St. Margaret’s. Mary Louise has expressed in supporting PPI, so the Committee agreed to consider it at our next meeting.

A part of the EECM Hunger campaign is a benefit campaign pancake dinner at Pamela’s in the Strip. Those interested should call 412-3611-5549 or E-mail kates@eecm.org. The Committee recommended putting an announcement in the bulletin.

UPDATES:

Neighborhood Academy: After cancellations twice in February, our people served lunch at Neighborhood Academy on March 3rd. Sue reported that the meal was well received and the kids very respectful.

Peacemaking Special Offerings: Nora Johnson reported that the offering will be received in late May or early June.

Nicaragua Adult Mission Trip: Bill Beggs reported that participants are getting their immunization shots and taking Spanish lessons. The trip is scheduled for June 15 through 25.

The next meeting will be late May or early June, depending on the Church calendar.

Respectively submitted,

Bill Beggs

Neighborhood Academy: Lunch is On!

The February 11th lunch at the Neighborhood Academy was canceled due to the horrendous weather situation and, not insignificantly, school was canceled.

Our next lunch date at the Academy is WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3rd. Many of the people planning to help in Feb. are still involved in March. But this opportunity is open to others! Does anyone wish to volunteer for the March date? Please contact Diana Wood!

Congratulations to the Neighborhood Academy!

The Neighborhood Academy is the 2010 Peace Partner Award Recipient for its peace building contributions to Youth Services! The Academy is being recognized for its "long standing commitment to developing the mind, body and spirit of students and for working to break the cycle of poverty and violence."

The Peace Partner Awards are part of the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime's (CVVC) Peace-It-Together Community Initiative (PITCI). The Peace Partner Awards honor those persons and organizations who, through their work or service, help individuals, families, and communities heal from violence and crime and who embody the spirit of PITCI by resolving conflict, restoring relationships, and building peaceful communities in the Greater Pittsburgh Region. The Neighborhood Academy was nominated by Diana Wood, who coordinates Sixth's lunch brigade volunteers at the Academy.

The 2010 Peace-It-Together Community Initiative Reception and Peace Partner Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 from 5:00 – 7:30 PM at the Regional Enterprise Tower in downtown Pittsburgh.

Highlights from December Meeting

The peacemaking overture to General Assembly for which 6th was a cosponsor was passed at the Pittsburgh Presbytery level.... The panel discussion held at the seminary on the role of faith in our stance on the death penalty drew a small but interested audience..... CROP Walk contributions increased by 10+% from last year....The Neighborhood Academy has been nominated for a Peace Partner Award through the Center for Victims of Violent Crimes.... Concerned action and awareness on the situation in Braddock/closing of the UPMC hospital there goes on (the Tribune-Review has been a good partner in keeping this in front of the public eye)....Next lunch at the Neighborhood Academy is February 4th....Volunteers at Global Links are having *fun* while doing good! -- and the high level of participation has earned 'points' that may enable 6th to send medical packets to Nicaragua as part of our developing relationship with the community of El Porvenir....The Committee is interested in learning more about anti-sweatshop legislation; the law was initially introduced as the Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act..... The June 2010 mission trip will be an exciting and challenging opportunity for adults at Sixth!

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."

Mmm, Mmmm, Good!

Time to start thinking about lunch at the Neighborhood Academy!

The first lunch event of the fall is Tuesday November 3. Please let Diana Wood know if you can help with preparing food several days ahead, preparing food during the morning of the 3rd, transporting and/or serving, or purchasing supplies.

What's the Neigbhorhood Academy? In their very own words: "Our curriculum and program intentionally focuses on providing a college-preparatory education to low-income students. Our unique approach includes an extended school day (8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), very small classes, close and ongoing communication with families and a college preparatory curriculum that culminates in senior seminars in the humanities and sciences. At The Neighborhood Academy, we afford to low income students a private school, college preparatory education that they would not otherwise be able to obtain. To help our students to succeed academically, we also provide counseling, transportation, three meals a day and assistance with emergency needs like medical care. The breadth of our services to students is based on the belief that low-income students face unique challenges and need much more than “school” to learn."

Neighborhood Academy Works

Three of the first four graduates of the Neighborhood Academy are graduating from COLLEGE this spring! So far, seventeen students have graduated from the Academy; all of them have gone on to college.

All of them.

That's a tribute to the Neighborhood Academy, to the volunteers who support the Academy's work, to the families involved, and to the students themselves, who put in a lot of hours and a lot of effort in order to graduate.

For more on the NA alumni who are graduating this month from college, see http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09129/968946-53.stm .

Lunch at the Academy

On Tuesday, April 14, volunteers from Sixth will be preparing and serving lunch at the Neighborhood Academy school. We usually prepare the meals on the afternoon before or the morning prior to 10:30, and then some of us transport and serve the food at the school. This typically involves the time between 10:30 and 1:30. Please let Diana know if you can help with the cooking or serving.

Usually eight to ten individuals get involved, and the school now has heating ovens so the food can be kept warm!

For more information or to volunteer, contact Diana Wood (dmwood@pitt.edu).