M.O.M.

American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life • May 2012

Tue, 1 May 2012 16:42:41 -0400

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives people in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

The philosophy of Relay represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated. Everyone’s reason to participate is as unique as their own personal story.

At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Although every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back.

Celebrate—The Survivors Lap—an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we have achieved over cancer.

Remember— The Luminaria Ceremony—After dark they honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer. Often participants walk a lap in silence.

Fight Back—The Fight Back Ceremony—This is where a personal commitment is made to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer. By taking action, people are personally taking steps to save lives and fight back against a disease that takes too much.

Amy and Justin will be Relaying on June 23 through June 24th in Hamden, CT with their families. See www.relayforlife.org/relay for more information.

Please use a special M.O.M. envelope or a brown pew envelope. Write checks to Collenbrook United Church with Relay for Life in memo section.

Other ongoing giving opportunities include the Organ Fund, Piano Fund, and food donations for Chester Eastside Ministries (please put donations in the box outside church office).

One Great Hour of Sharing • April 2012

Sun, 1 Apr 2012 20:30:53 -0400

Last year, perhaps in response to the Japan tsunami, we had a huge response, $2,800! Keep in mind that OGHS is the best supported special offering ever, and it makes funds available whenever there is an emergency. For example, communities affected by recent tornadoes have received help through OGHS funds. One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is the ecumenical effort of nine Christian denominations including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the United Church of Christ. The hundreds of millions of dollars given over the last sixty years serve as a powerful witness to the love of the One who came so that all might have life more abundantly.

Immediately after World War II, Protestant churches made appeals for relief and reconstruction. In 1946, Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill of the Episcopal Church set a goal of one million dollars for the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief. On nationwide radio, he challenged members to raise “one million dollars in one hour.” His impassioned challenge worked. During the first three years, they raised $3.8 million.

In 1949, several denominations organized an appeal aimed at supporting the separate campaigns of American churches. A cast was recruited from among the foremost dramatic and musical talent in the U.S., a script was written under the direction of playwright Robert Sherwood, and President Truman brought greetings. Major networks and independent stations carried the program on Sat., March 26 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The broadcast, called “One Great Hour,” closed with a request that listeners attend their local church the following morning and make a sacrificial contribution. It was estimated that more than 75,000 churches participated.

In 1952 the name became One Great Hour of Sharing, meant to assist those in need.

Our Presbyterian national offices direct the OGHS offering to the Presbyterian Hunger Program (36%), and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Self-Development of People (each 32%). Such gifts help Church World Service as well as local member churches and agencies carry out our intended giving. Similarly, our United Church of Christ directs OGHS gifts through the church’s Global Ministries arm for health, education, refugee, agricultural, and disaster relief, as well as Church World Service.

Please use a special M.O.M. envelope in your box, or a brown pew envelope, or write OGHS on the memo line of your check and mail it in.

http://onegreathourofsharing.org/
http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/one-great-hour-sharing-offering/
http://www.ucc.org/oghs/

Bricks Without Straw • March 2012

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 21:27:47 -0500

Other ongoing gift opportunities:
Chester Eastside Ministries: Food and seasonal clothing can be put in the box by the office. Many do so faithfully. Clothing and toiletries for the Life Care Center (box at back of sanctuary). The Organ Fund. The Building Fund.

Church World Service Blankets + • February 2012

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:44:58 -0500

Kenya – By 2013, many communities in Kenya will be using new biogas digesters, with the help of CWS and partner the Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP). Through this new technology, CWS is hoping to help farmers establish some 240 biogas digesters. A biogas system produces methane gas, using water and cow manure. A latrine can also be attached to the digester to consume human waste. The decomposition process eliminates diseases in the waste so that the slurry that remains can be used as a very effective agricultural fertilizer. Methane gas collects at the top of the digester and is kept under pressure from the liquid mixture in the tank. A gas pipe is installed in the top of the dome to collect the gas to pipe as fuel. The end result is a cleaner-burning and a byproduct to be used as fertilizer for crops.

Domestic Blankets+: CWS continues to provide blankets and other assistance to low-income families or those affected by emergencies in the U.S. For example, recently CWS has provided 1,020 CWS Blankets for distribution through the First United Methodist Church, in Fargo, North Dakota, for needs of people affected by flooding in the region.

One thing we are proud of at Collenbrook is that our Women’s Association has had a long interest in CWS’s blanket program. Between them and the rest of the church, we have given over $1,000 each year for 10 of the last 11 years. Have you noticed the banner at the back of the sanctuary? You are the plus in Blankets+!

Homeless Shelter at Old First Reformed Church • January 2012

Sun, 1 Jan 2012 20:04:07 -0500

Mary Ann Davis sees to it that toiletries and other needed items get taken to the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County (box at the back of the sanctuary). She also takes pull tabs from aluminum cans to be recycled by Ronald McDonald House.

December’s Mission of the Month gifts total $890, which will be divided equally between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Christmas Offering for retired ministers’ assistance, and the All Saints’ offering of the Southeast Pennsylvania U.C.C. Conference, also for retired ministers’ assistance.