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

Building Our Relationship with El Porvenir

The youth of Sixth Church traveled to Nicaragua in the summer of 2008 to work with the people of El Porvenir, a coffee cooperative whose coffee many of us continue to buy and enjoy. Adults from Sixth are developing the relationship through a mission trip planned for late June of 2010 (tentative dates: June 17-27).

Sara and Chris Berg came to the Church + Community Committee meeting this Sunday to distribute packets (of information AND forms) for adults who are interested in going and to answer questions. Sara stressed the physical nature of this trip. El Porvenir is at least three hours from a major city hospital; located at the top of a remote volcano, El Porvenir is accessed by dry river bed and rough trails. The work that the mission group will do will be physical: carrying heavy loads, feeding animals, weeding, moving rocks, etc.

The number of people who can go on the trip will be limited primarily by two factors: (1) transportation -- how many people can be safely accomodated in the type of vehicle needed and available for the trek to El Porvenir; and (2) number of translators -- there must be one translator for every 4 non-Spanish speakers.

If you are interested in going, please contact Sara or Chris Berg, Fred O'Leary, Peter Kaplan, Cliff or Nora Johnson, or Brenda Flores. Sara needs to have a solid count of the number of participants by January 9th; your initial deposit for the trip will be due in early February.

The Church + Community Committee voted to allocate some of this year's remaining funds directly to El Porvenir in support of their work and acknowledgement of our relationship with this community.