Opportunities for Mission and Service
Christ calls the church into being, giving it all that is necessary for its mission to the world, for its building up, and for its service to God.
(Book of Order I:1.b)
Graceland Cemetery
Through the efforts of Sawyer White, the Putnam's and many others, the Graceland Cemetery has been spruced up and put on a much firmer financial footing. If you would like to assist or donate money, please contact R. Chadwick Edwards, President, Graceland Cemetery, PO Box 1813, Abbeville, LA 70511. The Cemetery's Web site may be accessed at www.gracelandcemetery.com.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Disaster Relief
It's been wll over a year since the hurricanes devastate coastal Louisiana, but the need for help with recovery is still great. Please consider helping through the following:
Presbytery of South Louisiana
The Presbyery of South Louisiana' s disaster recovery ministry in New Orleans now has a name - Project Homecoming. As described by Rev. Jean Marie Peacock, Associate Presbyter ProTem for Congregational Development and Disaster Recovery, the ministry is focused on helping people return home, not only as we assist in rebuilding their houses, but as we witness to the love of Christ, whose healing power brings all who are touched "home" to a place of joy, love and peace in life. The offices of Project Homecoming are located at the Gentilly Presbyterian Church, 3700 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans. The offices will serve New Orleans as a Disaster Reocvery Center, staffed by case managers provided by Catholic Charities, construction managers, administrative staff, and the Associate Presbyter.
Project Homecoming will serve those who are struggling financially to return home, giving priority to those who are low-income, uninsured, underinsured, disabled, and senior citizens. The plan is to assist at least 300 people with rebuilding their homes and their lives by the end of 2007. Volunteer groups, hosted by eight Presbyterian Churches in the greater New Orleans area, will provide the labor to rebuild the homes.
Funds are being raised through the "Homes for Christmas" campaign for building materials. Donations may be sent to the Presbytery at 926 S. Rodin Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.
Information on Project Homecoming is available on-line at www.pslrecovery.org
This information is taken from the April 2007 Leadership Letter of the Presbytery of South Louisiana, from an article title "Kairos" written by Rev. Jean Marie Peacock.
Presbyterian Disaster Relief (PCUSA)
PCUSA is also seeking donations for hurricane disaster relief. Donations may be designated for special purposes:
- US Hurricane Response Teams - Fund Account # DR000169. Funds donated to this account supplement the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to enable a significant, initial response to hurricanes that affect the United States especially Katrina.
- Pastoral and Church Staff Salaries - Fund Account # DR000161. Funds donated to this account supplement the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to enable a significant response for pastoral care follosing a disaster or traumatic event.
- Church Damage - Fund Account DR000163. This designated account supplements the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, to enable a significant response for church property damage as a result of storms in the United States.
Monies may be donated on-line at www.pcusa.org; via telephone at (800) 872-3283, or by mailing a check payable to the PC(USA) and mailed to Presbyterian Church (USA), Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. Please designate one of the above funds.
For further information on ways to assist through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, please visit the PCUSA Web site www.pcusa.org.
Eastridge Nursing Home Sing-A-long
On the first Saturday of each month, at 2 p.m., there will be a Sing-a-Long. This is being coordinated by Bootsie White. Please join in, to bring some joy to the resident of Eastridge, some of whom are members of our Church. For further information, please check with Bootsie White or Anne Blanchet.
VITA- Adult Literacy
A recent national study has indicated that 32% of the adult population in Vermilion Parish is functioning at the lowest levels of literacy. Many church activities, from singing a hymn to following the church bulletin during the worship service, require reading skills. No wonder, then, that church members who read very little or not at all feel left out of some aspects of church life, or feel cut off from opportunities to learn more about their faith. VITA would like to help people to improve their reading skills so they can improve their lives and reach the goals many have of being able to read the Bible better. To accomplish this goal, VITA is looking for assistance - to refer people in need of reading assistance and those willing to tutor.
VITA offers periodic training courses for new volunteers. For further information, go to www.vitalaf.org or contact the VITA office at 905 Jefferson St. in Lafayette, at 234-4600. Further information is also available at www.vitalaf.org.
Transportation for Cancer Patients
The American Cancer Society is recruiting volunteers to assist patients and their families who are facing cancer. Specifically, they are looking for people who would be able to use their personal vehibles to transport patients undergoing treatment to and from various health care failities in Acadiana. If you are interested, please contact Martha Grant at the American Cancer Society - 237-3716.
CESERE - Center for Social and Educational Services
The Center of Social and Educational Services, sponsored by the "Dora E. Valentin" Presbyterian Reformed Church in Varadero, and the Christian Conference for Peace for Latin America and the Caribbean, is endowed with an essential importance in the community where it stands, for its main role is to guarantee the necessary services to different activities addressed to put into practice programs in the area of social service - mainly in health - and to form habits in the care and improvement of the environment.
