Mission of the Month

January 2012 - Words of Hope

Words of Hope proclaims Jesus Christ in remote and hostile regions of the world through short wave radio broadcasting in the languages of the world's peoples, seeking with our partners in ministry, to build the church by winning the uncommitted to faith in Christ and by encouraging Christians in the life of discipleship.

<=>

December 2011 - Barefoot College Solar Engineers

This is a remarkable organization that teaches barely literate women in rural, poor communities in India and Afghanistan to assemble, build, sell, and maintain solar panels that provide electricity for homes, at a fraction of the government support normally spent for international development programs. There are no books, no classrooms, no degrees. Barefoot solar engineers are first taught to be trainers, and then in turn train other women in remote rural villages to also assemble and construct solar panels.

The benefit to the people's lives and to their local environment is life-changing. Where they used to haul kerosene for lamps and cooking two miles by foot, they now replace with solar-powered light; where water was equally hauled by hand, electricity powers pumps to water filters and storage tanks. And most importantly, people are given sustainable incomes while providing a benefit to their community. See for yourself on this truly life-sustaining work at www.barefootcollege.org , and click "solar energy".

<=>

November 2011 - Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. To accomplish these goals, they invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

<=>

October 2011 - Hope 7 Community Center

Hope 7 was founded in 1968 and is located on Pawling Avenue in Troy. The mission of Hope 7 is to provide life essential services to community members. Currently they have five children's childcare programs, a food pantry, and community outreach services. They depend upon the community for support - be it individuals, businesses, or local church and school groups - with their assistance ranging from cash and food donations to organizing larger scale food drives and fundraisers. The food pantry opened in 1987. It wasn't long before they were busting at the seams and their gracious neighbors at Pawling Avenue United Methodist Church offered them an area in their church basement. Some months over 100 families are served by the food pantry and the need is ever growing. We can help by giving to the Mission of the Month.

<=>

September 2011 - Upstate New York Disaster Recovery

Due to the devastation of Hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee and the effect they had on our brothers and sisters in the Schoharie Valley, our love offering which we collected to assist them in their time of need became September's mission of the month.

<=>

August 2011 - Capital Region Theological Center
"The Go-To Place for Theological Education in the Capital Region"

CRTC is a unique, ecumenical non-profit organization which originated with the agreement of four mainline protestant denominations (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PC (USA)), Reformed Church in America (RCA), and United Church of Christ (UCC)) to support each other's ministries, including the sharing of ministers and resources. Ministers and seminaries in this area met to discuss how they could be more supportive of each other. The overwhelming answer was the shared need of local theological education. CRTC is recognized as the key partner and resource for quality, relevant, Christian theological education in the Capital Region.

• The Capital Region Theological Center's mission is to:
• Equip with tools for developing and expressing faith;
• Connect people and resources, creating community; and
• Inspire a commitment to renewed discipleship and spiritual growth.

The primary purpose of CRTC is to cooperate in many joint programs of education that empower both clergy and laity to become more faithful and effective disciples. Many courses are offered and open to all. Flyers for the fall courses are on the shelf in Fellowship Hall or can be found on their website, http://www.capitalrtc.org. We can help support the mission and programs of the Capital Region Theological Center by our Mission of the Month giving in August.

<=>

July 2011 - Hearts in Action

Hearts in Action International is a dynamic, educational, non-profit organization taking the Word of God and provision to children and youth. They are dedicated to providing spiritual support to strengthen families and churches worldwide. Hearts in Action has bases in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and the USA. From each location they are creating and sustaining a range of programs that directly improves education, health and living conditions for children in the nations. Teams are made up of vibrant, hardworking, compassionate missionaries who are reaching young people through school presentations, camps, village outreaches, progressive youth events, teacher training seminars, church planting and community development projects.

Young people are their focus, the priority and main target for outreach and discipleship in Hearts in Action. They continue to develop strategic ways to touch the spiritual and material needs of children and youth around the globe. Two years ago Jessica Fitzgerald joined in a mission trip to Guatemala and found this a very rewarding experience. Let us help continue this ministry to support the youth by contributing to the July Mission of the Month.

<=>

June 2011 - Seminary Student Scholarship

This month's mission offering will be for Paul and Enjou Boel, who are members of this congregation. Paul is completing field work required by Western Theological Seminary. The Boel family is living in Alberta, Canada.

<=>

May 2011 - Church World Service Chicks

A chicken’s cluck is music to the ears of a family in the developing world that wants to increase their food security. Cute and useful, baby chicks become chickens, providing eggs a reliable source of protein (especially for the children) and income for the family. These chicks will become chickens and produce more chicks, multiplying your gift. Prayerfully consider helping families with your Mission of the Month giving.

• $25 will purchase 50 Chicks
• $50 will purchase 100 Chicks
• $100 will purchase 250 Chicks

<=>

April 2011 - Church World Service Haiti Relief

Media coverage of the first year since the devastating January 12, 2010, earthquake is focused on government inaction, the slow pace of recovery and the seeming inability of Haiti to recover. But the story has another side: Haitians helping Haitians, say Church World Service staff and CWS partners

Now CWS is focused on several priorities as the response in Haiti continues. These include:

• Continued support and expansion for the 13 food cooperatives, which have more than 3,000 members.
• Ongoing support for programs run by FOPJ for vulnerable Haitian children in Port-au-Prince, including restavek children (domestic servants), former gang members and teenage mothers.
• Continued support for 1,200 persons with disabilities and their families in metropolitan Port-au-Prince. Six-hundred persons have received six-month, $75 per-month grants and 30 families have received assistance in repairing damaged housing.

<=>

March 2011 - Church World Service Blankets+

Some 8,000 congregations and groups across the US hold CSW Blankets + events, providing funds to help people in need around the world, including the U.S. Your contributions provide the means to transform lives and communities when they are faced with an emergency or simply struggling to put food on the table. For over 60 years, Church World Service has worked in partnership with local communities to identify their needs and access the resources they need to build the foundation for a more viable future. CWS was able to rush blankets and CWS Kits to the people of Haiti within the first 24 hours thanks to prepositioned supplies in neighboring Dominican Republic. Medical supplies, food, water and tents have also been provided. Your support helps make that kind of swift response possible. Please be generous in your support of Blankets +.

<=>

February 2011 - Capital District Youth For Christ

Through community-level youth clubs and region-wide large events every young person is provided an opportunity to make an informed decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ and to become part of a local church.