Numbers are not quite ready to publish, but we are very grateful for all the walkers and feel strongly that our first walk was a success...much like these walkers from Longs Peak Methodist Church in Longmont.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Boulder County CROP Hunger walk
Numbers are not quite ready to publish, but we are very grateful for all the walkers and feel strongly that our first walk was a success...much like these walkers from Longs Peak Methodist Church in Longmont.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Offering of Letters update!
Thank you for writing letters to your members of congress at the beginning of summer! I am proud to say that we collected almost 100 letters from members from Central and Loveland Presbyterian Churches and had successful meetings with each office.
The letters you wrote on behalf of hungry people had a tremendous impact on our leaders. Because of the debt ceiling debate our request changed a bit to ask for protection for the programs that help hungry people. All members were receptive to our requests but as many of you know, wrestled with the budget ceiling debates late into July. Your letters, personal emails, phone calls made a huge difference for the hungry.
While many programs were saved in the initial round of cuts, the bipartisan “super committee” must consider all parts of the budget which might include cuts to some programs essential to the hungry. Much is still at risk, and we will need your help to protect these important programs during the next stage of this process. We must ensure that long-term reforms are balanced and spending cuts are fair, so that the burden of deficit reduction doesn’t fall on the most vulnerable people.
If you would like to continue to be involved as a voice speaking on behalf of the hungry- please contact Phil Goerner (pgoerner@gmail.com) for more information.
Thank you for the role you play in helping hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world!
The letters you wrote on behalf of hungry people had a tremendous impact on our leaders. Because of the debt ceiling debate our request changed a bit to ask for protection for the programs that help hungry people. All members were receptive to our requests but as many of you know, wrestled with the budget ceiling debates late into July. Your letters, personal emails, phone calls made a huge difference for the hungry.
While many programs were saved in the initial round of cuts, the bipartisan “super committee” must consider all parts of the budget which might include cuts to some programs essential to the hungry. Much is still at risk, and we will need your help to protect these important programs during the next stage of this process. We must ensure that long-term reforms are balanced and spending cuts are fair, so that the burden of deficit reduction doesn’t fall on the most vulnerable people.
If you would like to continue to be involved as a voice speaking on behalf of the hungry- please contact Phil Goerner (pgoerner@gmail.com) for more information.
Thank you for the role you play in helping hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world!
Are you curious about the churches in the Synod of Zambia?
While Chawama Central Church is similar to our church by tracing its origin roots from Scotland, they have a different organizational structure than in the US. It is quite interesting and may be the reason why churches are growing so rapidly in Zambia!
As some of you may know, here in the US, the Presbyterian Church, USA, is organized in a democratic/representative manner. There are over 11,000 congregations which are organized into 173 Presbyteries (district governing bodies). Our church is one of 41 churches in northern Colorado and Nebraska that sends representatives to the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks, which meets quarterly. Our Presbytery sends representatives to the Synod of the Rocky Mountains and then to the national governing body, the General Assembly.
The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has only one Synod in Zambia, with 10 Presbyteries and around 60 congregations. Then, the structure gets interesting.
Each congregation is responsible for sharing their faith and fellowship with the surrounding communities. So, each church begins to plant “prayer houses” which are groups of people meeting together in a home, classroom or other available space. These prayer houses have both members and elders from the home church who help run the service, preach and organize.
There is greater need for prayer houses because transportation is often an issue (most folks walk to church). So, a 3rd level of outreach is established in areas called “preaching points”. The purpose of the preaching points are to send elders and members to areas where a prayer house may be welcome.
Once a year or more, all the prayer houses meet at the host church. Easter is an example a time when all prayer houses meet at the host church to share a 2-3 day festival and communion. Krista and I were a part of such a celebration last November with the induction of the new minister at Chawama, Abusa (Reverend) Daniel Tembo.
The prayer houses have many of the same responsibilities as the church. Elders are ordained, offering taken (of course!) and Sunday School is offered. These prayer houses often grow quickly and can request to the Presbytery to form their own Church.
When Central Presbyterian first started their relationship with Chawama Central in 2008, there were 5 prayer houses and 2 preaching points.
About a year ago, Kamwata and Kafuela prayer houses were growing so quickly that they began plans to make their own church which they planned to call St Peters. They made a formal request to the Chawama Session to begin this process. It was approved, but the project (like a new church development project here) needed to have representatives, elders and families to help “grow” the church. They had several requirements such as regular services with substantial attendees and good offering receipts to show their sustainability. All these steps were approved so they were able to call a minister in December of 2011 and he was inducted in January 2012.
The Presbyterian Church in Zambia is growing rapidly. Our partnership with Lusaka Central Presbyterian Church is flourishing and needs regular communication and commitment to remain strong. The new St. Peters congregation, which contains many original members from Lusaka Central, will also grow and reach out to welcome new members. They, too, will seek a sister church. These partnerships benefit both congregations, expanding awareness and compassion for each other’s lives and challenges through faith and the love of our savior, Jesus Christ.
As some of you may know, here in the US, the Presbyterian Church, USA, is organized in a democratic/representative manner. There are over 11,000 congregations which are organized into 173 Presbyteries (district governing bodies). Our church is one of 41 churches in northern Colorado and Nebraska that sends representatives to the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks, which meets quarterly. Our Presbytery sends representatives to the Synod of the Rocky Mountains and then to the national governing body, the General Assembly.
The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has only one Synod in Zambia, with 10 Presbyteries and around 60 congregations. Then, the structure gets interesting.
Each congregation is responsible for sharing their faith and fellowship with the surrounding communities. So, each church begins to plant “prayer houses” which are groups of people meeting together in a home, classroom or other available space. These prayer houses have both members and elders from the home church who help run the service, preach and organize.
There is greater need for prayer houses because transportation is often an issue (most folks walk to church). So, a 3rd level of outreach is established in areas called “preaching points”. The purpose of the preaching points are to send elders and members to areas where a prayer house may be welcome.
Once a year or more, all the prayer houses meet at the host church. Easter is an example a time when all prayer houses meet at the host church to share a 2-3 day festival and communion. Krista and I were a part of such a celebration last November with the induction of the new minister at Chawama, Abusa (Reverend) Daniel Tembo.
The prayer houses have many of the same responsibilities as the church. Elders are ordained, offering taken (of course!) and Sunday School is offered. These prayer houses often grow quickly and can request to the Presbytery to form their own Church.
When Central Presbyterian first started their relationship with Chawama Central in 2008, there were 5 prayer houses and 2 preaching points.
- Chawama (Means “It is good”)
- Lilayi (rural area, meets in school on police compound/training grounds)
- Kamwala (means “good hope)
- Kabwata
- Kafuela
About a year ago, Kamwata and Kafuela prayer houses were growing so quickly that they began plans to make their own church which they planned to call St Peters. They made a formal request to the Chawama Session to begin this process. It was approved, but the project (like a new church development project here) needed to have representatives, elders and families to help “grow” the church. They had several requirements such as regular services with substantial attendees and good offering receipts to show their sustainability. All these steps were approved so they were able to call a minister in December of 2011 and he was inducted in January 2012.
The Presbyterian Church in Zambia is growing rapidly. Our partnership with Lusaka Central Presbyterian Church is flourishing and needs regular communication and commitment to remain strong. The new St. Peters congregation, which contains many original members from Lusaka Central, will also grow and reach out to welcome new members. They, too, will seek a sister church. These partnerships benefit both congregations, expanding awareness and compassion for each other’s lives and challenges through faith and the love of our savior, Jesus Christ.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Presbytery 8/13
6am -
Report:
Hunger Action Advocate report
Update on Offering of Letters: Many thanks to all the folks that wrote letters and emails to their members of congress urging them to put a circle of protection around the poor and programs that protect them such as WIC, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program etc. Thankfully these programs were not cut during the recent budget ceiling proposal.
Crop Walks in our Presbytery
Take advantage of this opportunity to raise funds for hungry people. Funds raised are split with Church World Service and local hunger needs. Join a walk in your area!
If you have members that would like to contribute to disaster relief please use PCUSA disaster relief number DR999999. This will guarantee that 100% of all donations go directly to the affected area.
Report:
Hunger Action Advocate report
Update on Offering of Letters: Many thanks to all the folks that wrote letters and emails to their members of congress urging them to put a circle of protection around the poor and programs that protect them such as WIC, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program etc. Thankfully these programs were not cut during the recent budget ceiling proposal.
Crop Walks in our Presbytery
Take advantage of this opportunity to raise funds for hungry people. Funds raised are split with Church World Service and local hunger needs. Join a walk in your area!
· Boulder County CROP Hunger Walk 2011 October 23, 2011
· Fort Collins CROP Hunger Walk 2011 October 2, 2011
· LaSalle CROP Hunger Walk 2011 October 8, 2011
· Loveland CROP Hunger Walk 2011 October 1, 2011
· Northeast Colorado CROP Hunger Walk 2011 September 11, 2011
· Windsor CROP Hunger Walk 2011 October 2, 2011
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Disaster relief in Horn of Africafd
Huge drought conditions have resulted in famine and now disaster. CARE has identified 29,000 children under 5 have died from starvation, 600,000 Somalians are fleeing (PCUSA) and 12.4 million people are at risk for starvation in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti according to the UN. The need is great- and scientists predict that conditions will continue until December.If you have members that would like to contribute to disaster relief please use PCUSA disaster relief number DR999999. This will guarantee that 100% of all donations go directly to the affected area.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
East Africa drought
Need an update on the incredible famine in the Horn of Africa? Here are some resources
From the PCUSA-Christian agencies warn that 10 million people face famine in Horn of Africa -
Ten ways to help...including texting gifts! http://bit.ly/r4sC0O
Church World Service explains the situation, some responses and then specific areas of concern. East Africa Drought. Great article!
From the PCUSA-Christian agencies warn that 10 million people face famine in Horn of Africa -
Ten ways to help...including texting gifts! http://bit.ly/r4sC0O
Church World Service explains the situation, some responses and then specific areas of concern. East Africa Drought. Great article!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Offering of letters
 |
| Megan Marsh, Phil Goerner, Jed and Crystal Foust |
We are excited and prepared to ask them to consider poor and hungry people as they make budget decisions and to reform foreign aid that more directly benefits the hungry.
We have about 100 letters we brought with us to share with the congressmen. These letters are beautifully hand written with many personal stories sharing faith and hope that our leaders show compassion to the hungry. For security reasons, all letters need to be taken out of envelopes so tonight as I was doing this a friend found this letter written by a 12 year old:
What a dynamic statement for all of us going tomorrow on your behalf. We know that poor people do not use a disproportionate amount of resources. We know that we should share the burden of the deficit fairly. On your behalf we'll be telling congress that tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Key points to consider for offering of letters
In the next few weeks, I'll be presenting information to churches about how to become advocates for hungry people. Each year, hunger activists write to their members of Congress, advocating for policies that help end hunger in the U.S. and around the world.
This year Bread for the World members are focusing on the issues surrounding Global Assistance reform.
We are hoping to bring light to four areas:
Is your church considering hosting an offering of letters? Please prayerfully study the issues for this year's Bread for the World offering of letters, think about the biblical basis for advocacy for hunger or contact more information!
This year Bread for the World members are focusing on the issues surrounding Global Assistance reform.
We are hoping to bring light to four areas:
- A stronger U.S. government focus on reducing poverty.
- Clearer accountability for how U.S. aid dollars are spent and their results.
- A transformed U.S. development agency.
- U.S. aid that meets the needs and wants of local people.
Is your church considering hosting an offering of letters? Please prayerfully study the issues for this year's Bread for the World offering of letters, think about the biblical basis for advocacy for hunger or contact more information!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hunger Fast- Budget cuts can be a hardship for the poor!
 |
| Ambassador Tony Hall |
Monday I had the opportunity to take part in a Washington DC prayer vigil that marked the start of a 7 day fast by world hunger leaders. The #hungerfast was idea of the Ambassador Tony Hall who writes about Why I'm Fasting.
The fast is a way of protesting and bringing light to the US budget cuts that are disproportionately affecting those suffering from poverty and hunger. This is a crucial time as congress debates the shortfall and budget balancing. It is important to contact your member of congress to urge them to not balance the budget on the backs of the poor.
 |
| BFW Pres David Beckmann |
Joining the fast are several other hunger leaders, students and even members of the media. Take a minute to read why AJWS President
Thursday, February 10, 2011
SOUPER Bowl was Super!
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