Outreach
Expanding the Community of God through sharing our faith.
Jesus said, "You give them something to eat." (Mark 6:37)
By Rev. Amy Baer
I have been present in South Florida food pantries lined with empty shelves just moments before opening their doors to masses of hungry people. Yet by God's grace, I have never witnessed the closing of one of these food pantries for lack of food. How is this possible? It is possible because every day, God is inspiring and equipping ordinary people and congregations to serve the hungry in extraordinary ways. The food pantries and soup kitchens in our Presbytery, serving thousands of hungry people daily, are modern-day examples of feeding the multitudes.
This year, as we continue on our journey toward becoming a reproducing Presbytery, my prayer for us all is that this mission will find expression in hunger action. Above and before all things, I hope we will all join in prayer for God's direction and inspiration in these hard times. If you or your congregation feel called to engage in hunger action this year, here are just a few ideas for you:
Collect: Participate in the Cents-a-bility Offering
Simply add a special collection of loose change to your worship service once a month. Last year, the congregations of Tropical Florida Presbytery raised over $17,000 through the Cents-a-bility Offering, and this money was distributed directly to local congregations and non-profit agencies serving the hungry here in South Florida. If your church chooses to participate, please send these collections directly to the Presbytery Office, marked for the Cents-a-bility Offering.
Donate: Commit to food donations for a local food program
There is undoubtedly a food pantry or soup kitchen in the neighborhood of your congregation. Call them, ask them what they need, and conduct a canned food drive or commit to preparing and serving one dinner a month. Call or e-mail me at abaer@crosministries.org for a step-by-step guide to conducting a food drive and a list of food programs in your area.
Communicate: Conduct an Offering of Letters with Bread for the World
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. U.S. Representatives from districts within the bounds of our Presbytery are among those who will be key policy makers on foreign aid programs this year. For a free download of Bread for the World's 2011 Offering of Letters Kit, go to http://files.bread.org/dmngood/ol2011/OL2011_Handbook.pdf. This kit unpacks all of the details about the 2011 Bread initiative, seeking to make our U.S. foreign aid distributions more efficient, transparent, and accountable.
Please call or e-mail me for any resources or questions; I am always available to assist you. Please also let me know if you decide to continue participating in hunger action and/or if you choose to engage in a new form of hunger action. Your Hunger Task Force needs to know about the programs and initiatives that touch your heart.
Rev. Amy Baer
Hunger Action Enabler
abaer@crosministries.org (561) 376-9514
Defining Evangelism:
God’s people joyfully and authentically telling and showing others that in and through Jesus Christ we are forgiven, we are redeemed, we are transformed, we have purpose and meaning in life, we are sent to authentically love and heal, to serve and work for justice, to be reconciled and reconcilers, to be stewards of God’s creation. (pcusa.org)
Deep and Wide:
Deep and Wide is a commitment to help grow Christ's church deep and wide through evangelism, discipleship, servant hood and diversity. http://deepandwide.ning.com/
Evangelism Connections:
Engaging evangelism ecumenically
http://www.evangelismconnections.org/
Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women.
The Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women ministry area equips racial ethnic congregations, develops Presbyterian communities of faith that reflect our multicultural society, builds leaders of every race and gender and works for racial and gender justice.
http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/racial-ethnic-womens-ministries/
Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (World Council of Churches)
The mission of the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) is to support the work of individuals, churches and church organizations concerned with issues affecting disabled people globally.
http://www.oikoumene.org/programmes/unity-mission-evangelism-and-spirituality/just-and-inclusive-communities/people-with-disabilities-edan.html
Bible in Mission:
Join the conversation about “Bible-Poverty” in Mission. The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (also known as Cape Town 2010 and Lausanne III) will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, 16-25 October 2010. The Congress, held in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance, will bring together 4,000 leaders from more than 200 countries to confront the critical issues of our time as they relate to the future of the Church and world evangelization
http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/home/scripture-in-mission
Committee
Mission Outreach, Social Justice and Peacemaking
Chair: Jonas Georges
Email: jgeorges1@gmail.com
BLOG
International Day of Peace is September 21, 2010.