MINISTRY IN OUR COMMUNITY
$1 IN OFFERING PLATES
Even though so many of us give electronically (thank you!), we still want our offering time to reflect our generous hearts and the joy of working together. Our solution is to ask you to consider joining in a dollar bill offering. Bring a $1 bill to add to the offering plate each week (strictly voluntary). All (loose) $1 bills in the offering plate will be used for mission work. Quarterly projects (shepherded by our children, youth and Mission Board) that build our faith and make a difference in the world will be identified. The project will be announced, and at the end of the quarter, the totals of our giving and the results of the project will be announced.
Our first project will support our Sunday school as the children and youth create “Mission Bags” for Individuals experiencing homelessness. The bags will consist of a pair of socks, energy bars, a McDonald’s gift card - our children and youth will work with our Christian Education Board to learn about what small things would make a big difference to someone who might be living on the streets or in a shelter. Once they are assembled, they will be brought forward for blessing. And then they will be handed back to you, to the congregation, so that when you encounter a person who seems to be in dire need, you will have a way to respond. When you see homeless person, often at an exit ramp or in a park in the area, each of us will have a way to respond, and we will model to our children - that just as we always have something to give in the offering, each of us has something we can do for someone who needs our help.
So if you would like to help Parkview UCC deepen our experience of offering, and help our children and youth learn about how we all work together to address a problem, and actually make a difference to someone who is experiencing homelessness - consider adding a dollar to the offering plate. It is never expected, but it would be appreciated. Together we can do great things.
Our first project will support our Sunday school as the children and youth create “Mission Bags” for Individuals experiencing homelessness. The bags will consist of a pair of socks, energy bars, a McDonald’s gift card - our children and youth will work with our Christian Education Board to learn about what small things would make a big difference to someone who might be living on the streets or in a shelter. Once they are assembled, they will be brought forward for blessing. And then they will be handed back to you, to the congregation, so that when you encounter a person who seems to be in dire need, you will have a way to respond. When you see homeless person, often at an exit ramp or in a park in the area, each of us will have a way to respond, and we will model to our children - that just as we always have something to give in the offering, each of us has something we can do for someone who needs our help.
So if you would like to help Parkview UCC deepen our experience of offering, and help our children and youth learn about how we all work together to address a problem, and actually make a difference to someone who is experiencing homelessness - consider adding a dollar to the offering plate. It is never expected, but it would be appreciated. Together we can do great things.
SANDWICH MAKING
The young and not so young of Parkview's congregation have supported the Love One Another Food Program run by Allan Law by regularly making sandwiches after Sunday worship. Allan personally distributes these sandwiches, donated by churches and organizations around the metro, every night of the year to the homeless and poor in the Twin Cities.
Our congregation asked Allan how we could do more to help him in his mission and reach out to the community and as a result we are delighted to be a drop-off center for the sandwiches. Parkview will freeze the sandwiches and then Allan will collect when our freezers are full, thereby reducing the number of journeys Allan has to make and enabling him to rest from his long nights on the streets!
If you or your organization have or are thinking about making sandwiches to support this terrific program, go to www.mrdinc.org to learn more, or contact the Parkview UCC Office Administrator at 651.429.3346 or via email at [email protected] to arrange to drop-off the sandwiches.
SPONSORED REFUGEE FAMILY
In 2016 Parkview UCC sponsored the Banura Family, refugees from Ethiopia. Mikeso, Kadija, Misra and Bonistu - Father, Mother and 2 daughters - arrived in the United States after a 12 year stay in a refugee camp in Ethiopia. Parkview helped furnish an apartment, helped the family find medical, educational, and social services. They truly became a part of the Parkview UCC, and we continue to be ia a mutually supportive relationship to this day. We helped change their lives for the better, and our lives were changed in the process. Since arriving in the USA they have welcomed their son, Moti. We hope to sponsor another family when our country's immigration policy allows.
STEWARDS OF GOD'S PLANET
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“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God saw everything that he had made and indeed, it was very good.” Genesis 1:1 and 31.
Unfortunately we have not always cared for God’s planet in ways that reflect God’s character but have exploited it for our own selfish purposes. Using a workbook developed by the Mission Board, we invite everyone as guests on God's planet to explore practical ways we can live more lightly. Contact the office for a free copy of our Stewards of God’s Planet workbook. We can make a difference, both individually and together. |
WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
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For over 50 years the women of Parkview haveheld an annual silent auction and bake sale, the 1st Saturday in November, raising over $320,000 thus far. The money raised is used to support ministries in the church and the outer community. Monies have been donated to such things as our area food shelf, Katrina Fund, Lend a Hand, Vietnamese school, refugee family sponsorship, Minnesota Council of Churches, Spare Key, Ashley's boxes.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS |
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The Blessing of the Animals is a community event. Each year Parkview invites the White Bear Area Community to come together with beloved pets for a time of sharing, fellowship and blessing by Pastor Debi. Speakers share their personal stories of service and rescue experiences. There is an “open mic” time for additional comments of the impact of our special pet friends. You need not have an animal with you to attend. Also, it’s just fine to bring a picture of your beloved pet for the blessing if he/she would not be comfortable in groups.