NEWS FROM THE MISSION TEAM

The 100-Plus Club completed their year with 2 gifts of $1000 each. One went to Beth Allen, working with Food for the Hungry, and one to "Cricket" Meyer at Rafiki Village in Rwanda.  The gifts are to be used for personal needs.  We received a message from Cricket.  She had spent all of hers on the children in the village--her choice.  We are thankful for the work of both of these young women.   We have sent some Christmas gifts from you to Fort Street's Open Door program, Cherry Hill's Helping Hands pantry, Christnet, Westminster Church, and the Cherry Hill Boar's Head program.  Our best wishes to all of you for a blessed holiday season.

On Nov. 2nd we supplied a dinner for the homeless being housed at First Presbyterian.  There were 41 people, including helpers.  Our guests were so very grateful and it was a treat for us.  Speaking of treats--your Halloween candy filled many pockets and backpacks. We always look forward to this dinner.  Just see what loose change can do!

October saw the end of the Heifer Project.  We had hoped to get a cow for a needy family--but--with your help we became Old McDonald's farm. We got a cow, a water buffalo, a llama, a goat, a sheep, a pig and 2 flocks of chicks.  E-i-e-i-o! It was fun, but, more importantly, lives will be improved.  The families won't know who you are, but God does! Good job.

In May, we think of Mothers.  The May Mission focus is First Step, a shelter for abused women and their children. Our loose change collection will go to First Step-and along with it, we want to send a gift of toiletries for moms and kids.  There will be a basket in Weir foyer for your donations all during May.  We can think of no better way to honor the love and care we received from our mothers than to help these neighbors in need. 

The Mission Project for the Easter season is One Great Hour of Sharing.  Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Please use your One Great Hour of Sharing envelope to make your contribution. Thank You.

The Mission Team project for the month of March was collecting cell phones. Last year the Mission Team collected used cell phones--to be converted to emergency only phones for needy seniors. It was a successful event, so we thought that we'd do a follow-up. If your phone has been upgraded recently, we would appreciate a donation of your old phone.

The loose change offering on March 8th brought $ll9 start-up money for VBS---Thank you for your support. The Heifer program is just getting started, however, we have $165 contributed. That is enough for 8 flocks of chicks, ducks or geese. We will be sharing more information in April.

We are starting the Heifer International Project in February - to run through October. We hope that you read the February 8th bulletin insert, "An Ark for Today's World". If you missed it, you can see it on the Mission Bulletin Board. Donation envelopes have been placed in the pew slots--or you can use your own plain envelope and mark it “Heifer Project”. We will let you know how your fund is progressing.

We enjoyed preparing and serving our annual Souper Bowl Lunch on February 1st. Donations at the table and the sale of the centerpieces netted $579.44. Fort Street's hot food program will receive $300.00 and $279.44 will be given to our Helping Hands program. Many thanks to our co-chair, Sue Baron, for organizing the event and to her and Ken for providing the flowers.

During the January blanket collection you brought in 36 blankets-new, gently used and handmade. We also received coats, boots, shoes and socks. Mary Renton delivered all of the donations to Fort Street Presbyterian on February 2nd. Their staff was happy to receive them and they send their thanks to you.

2008

Our bell-ringing for the Salvation Army was a success. We collected $528.82 -- and nobody froze to death. One couple wanted to buy a hot meal for Sue Baron, and Reggie Anderson was given a fortune cookie. The rest of us got lots of smiles. Thanks to everyone who was able to help out with the bell-ringing. Merry Christmas from your Mission Team!

We prepared and served dinner for the Christnet program on November 3rd at First Presbyterian Church.  We had 28 homeless guests (30 is the maximum), plus the workers—dinner for 40.  The homeless receive dinner, a place to shower and sleep, a quick breakfast and a sack lunch.  Needless to say, they are very appreciative. 

You participated via the loose change collection on September 28th—a total of $90.  The Team used $80 of our cash from the Gold Party, and Team members always contribute food and beverages.  The Halloween candy bowl was a hit.  We provide plastic bags so that they could fill their pockets.

Thanks go to our very faithful Team—Anita Polzin, Mary Renton, Reggie Anderson, Bonnie Sanders and Linda Oke—and to all of you.

From, Co-chairs Sue Baron and Sandy Jugan

The tasks of this committee are to coordinate Cherry Hill’s mission efforts, to recommend how our benevolence (mission) funds are spent and to maintain our relationship to the Presbyterian Church USA denomination. Some of the programs our church participates in are the CROP walk, Blanket Sunday, Christmas JOY Offering, Peacemaking Offering, and One Great Hour Of Sharing. We have a relationship with missionaries in the US and overseas. The Mission Team Chair is Sandy Jugan, Co-Chair Sue Baron.