James 1: 22-27
What does it mean to be 'doers' of the word? Francis of Assisi has widely been quoted as saying, "Proclaim the Gospel where ever you go, use words if necessary." While there is no written record of his actually saying this, we do know the value of these words. James admonishes us to, "be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves." Living the gospel message in all we do is a daily walk, but sometimes it also means to go out into the world and do work that helps to make the world a better place: to help create God's Kingdom on earth, if you will.
Next summer the middle and high school youth groups will be embarking on journeys of mission in the world. This will be something new for this group of youth, though mission trips are a rich tradition of this congregation, for both old and young. In the coming weeks you will learn of the important work these young ones will be working towards and the ways you can help them on their journey. Our first fund-raising event will coincide with the Christmas Pageant Tasting Party on December 11th. The youth will have for your experimentation several dips and drinks. After tasting these delicious treats, you will have the option of purchasing the mixes, premade and decoratively packaged for the your gift-giving pleasure. Please plan to help support these youth and the hard work they have before them to reach their goals.
Chi-Rho to Heifer International
Middle school youth (Chi-Rho) will be traveling to Perryville, Arkansas June 17–22, 2012 to visit Heifer Ranch to work and to learn more about the ministries of Heifer International. They will participate in an exercise called 'Global Gateway' where they will live for the night as those who live and struggle for survival in developing countries might live. They will sleep in huts, slums, and even refugee camps which have been re-created on the Heifer Ranch. They will receive minimal resources and have to work and barter with neighboring 'countries' to obtain what they need to survive the night. Fortunately, this will only be one exercise of many they will experience at Heifer Ranch.
Heifer International's mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Their strategy is to "Pass on the Gift." As people share their animal's offspring with others–along with their knowledge, resources and skills–an expanding network of hope, dignity and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. Dan West began Heifer International over 65 years ago when ladling out rations of milk to starving families during the Spanish Civil War when he realized, "These children don't need a cup, they need a cow." He returned to the United States and created this organization that now serves millions of families in 128 countries across the globe. Heifer's work with alleviating poverty with the use of animals in earth friendly methods is quite fitting for our earlier Francis of Assisi reference, as Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals, birds and the environment.
This Sunday, Chi-Rho youth will introduce the congregation to the ministries of Heifer International in a unique and entertaining way. They also hope that with their efforts at sharing the important work of Heifer International you might be more aware of the tremendous gift you share when you support Heifer's work in the world. The Hanna class offers a gift to Heifer International as one of many options for their Alternative Giving Fair which will begin this Sunday, November 27th following worship. Please consider giving the gift of animals to your loved ones this Holiday Season by donating to Heifer International and by supporting these youth in their efforts to do mission work with Heifer.
(Please see next weeks article to learn more about the High School (CYF) youth's mission trip to Puerto Rico.)
Blessings,
Tracy