Mission for July/August (Click left)
Mission for June (Click left)
Mission for May (Click left)
Mission for April (Click left)
Peacemaking in July/August (Click left)
Peacemaking in June (Click left)
Peacemaking in May (Click left)
Peacemaking in April (Click left)
Going Green at Faith Church (click left)
Mission Trip to Arizona Sites (click left)
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Faith Mission Committee
partners Frontera de Cristo
Frontera de Cristo, a Presbyterian Bi-national Border Ministry, is now celebrating 25 years of service to people on both sides of Arizona’s southern border between Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora. Faith Church has been supporting this mission for many years. This Border Ministry began in 1984 when the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico embarked on a new way of doing mission. These two groups focused not on what one church would do for another, but what God could do through two churches joining together in mission. This concept has, over the years, brought people on both sides of the Border together in worship, fellowship, serving God, and doing justice.
The mission work of this ministry includes such things and actions as building buildings, building relationships, providing direct services to people, promoting economic opportunities, working on reconciliation, and being together in their love of God.
Three years ago, the Mission Committee sponsored a trip to the Presbyterian Border Ministries in Nogales and Agua Prieta. At that time, those traveling to these ministries were able to see first hand how, particularly Frontera de Cristo, mission works for people. The group was welcomed with worship and a shared meal. A year later, we were pleased to have the staff of this important mission come to Faith for a Border Ministry Weekend.
The Mission Committee continues to follow up and support the Frontera de Cristo. They are just one of the “connections” we hold close. We marvel at the accomplishments of the staff from both sides of Arizona’s Border as they continue with God’s work.
Submitted by: Gerri Kiessel
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FOOD BANKS
A big thank you to all who contributed to helping our Food Banks meet the heavy demands of the Thanksgiving-Christmas season! Faith Presbyterian members and friends responded with staple food and cash through our regular Food Bank Sundays. Many gave generously to the special Hams and Turkeys seasonal campaign. Thank you, too, to those who take part in packing food boxes every second Friday of the month at the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Surprise.
In January, the staple foods and pink envelope gifts will go to the Valley View Food Bank in Youngtown.
Submitted by: Ruth Mehl
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Mission News
NINTH HABITAT HOUSE
The West Valley Presbyterian Habitat Coalition will participate in building a ninth house for a Habitat family. The wall raising for this house will take place on February 6th at 9:00 a.m. at W. Palmaire Ave & 54th Drive in Glendale. All who are interested in Habitat are welcome and urged to attend. The family to occupy this house will be chosen by that time and will be present at the wall raising.
The West Valley Presbyterian Coalition will have the support of the East Valley Presbyterian Coalition. This will be the first house to be built together. A third coalition of another denomination will also be participating. This cooperative venture works well because the cost of each house has been increased to $85,000. The cooperative effort makes it much more affordable to participate. We would like to have a good turn-out for the wall raising, so please come if you are able. A map and driving instructions will be available from the reception desk at the church.
CHRISTMAS MISSION TREE PROJECT
Our Christmas Mission Tree project for the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank teens was such a success this year. We are so grateful to all of our church family for supporting this very special mission. We were able to bring joy to about 116 teens. This project is so rewarding and we look forward to another successful year.
Many thanks to all of you!
Dedication of Peace Pole
Members of the Peacemaking Committee from lef to right: Maybelle D’Arcy, Barbara Munn, Carol Anderson, Ruth Mehl and Dave Green.
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The Faith Church Mission Committee felt moved last year by the call for help from the Presbyterian Campus Ministry (PCM) at the University of Arizona at Tucson. Through personal contacts, the Committee learned what the PCM was trying to do with young adults at U of A.
The Committee decided they wanted to help make a difference in the lives of these young people. The committee learned that research indicates that 85-90% of young people leave the Presbyterian Church (USA). Also that most leave when they are 16-24 years of age. Research also shows that of those who leave, 20% come back to the Presbyterian Church (USA) while 15% go to other churches and an alarming 65% go NOWHERE to worship.
It is clear that when this age group has the opportunity to be involved with a PCM program that program can make a difference. This ministry encourages and facilitates participation and involvement in PCM varied programs so that they can retain and maintain a key connection to a faith community.
During the Committee’s visit to this exciting program last year, the group wanted to support PCM with not only our gift of money but our gift of time and effort and looked at ways to do just that!
Through our connection with Rev Ben Larson-Wolbrink and working with Pastor Dave, the Committee will be sharing with all of our congregation the talent and goodness of these young adult Presbyterians. They are musically talented. They have stories to tell about their ministries to others. The can share experiences in how they bring others to the Christian Center at U of A for fun and group activities. They give their time and energy to local, national and world-wide projects.
The Committee then looked at how we can share with all of the congregation what we discovered about this special program. With Pastor Dave’s help, our connection is planned.
On February 28th, Rev. Ben and some of the students in PCM will be involved in our worship service and, at brunch after the 10:00 a.m. service, they will tell about their experiences in PCM and entertain us with their music.
Our Mission Outreach Trip this year will be to Tucson again, but this time we will be putting on one of their dinners where we will prepare their weekly dinners and join them in a worship service following dinner. As the trip information is confirmed and details set for April 6th, the Committee will let everyone know how they can be involved.
The Mission Committee thanks the congregation so much for their support and involvement. Please mark you calendar for February 28th when PCM comes to Faith Church and April 6th when Faith Church members will go to PCM.
Submitted by: Gerri Kiessel
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“Just Coffee Isn’t Just Coffee,” so says the Presbyterian News Service out of Louisville as it chronicles the story of how this enterprise developed with the help of our good friend, the Rev. Mark Adams, a mission co-worker with Frontera de Cristo, one of five bi-national Presbyterian Border Ministries. This newly published book, Just Coffee – Caffeine with a Conscience is available for sale at our coffee table on Sunday mornings when we sell coffee, and also in our church library.
While we hear of Mexican drug cartels, swine flu and immigration problems on the news everyday, we hear little or nothing of what our churches in the USA and in Mexico are doing to help the average Mexican like ourselves earn an honest living on their own farms and thus stay in their own country where they prefer to be.
September marks the beginning of our fifth year of support for this worthwhile Mexican cooperative. On the second and forth Sundays of each month we sell five different grinds of this delicious, organic coffee that is grown on the shaded mountain-sides of Chiapas, the southernmost state in Mexico. We have kept the price at $8.00 per lb. during these four years, although many of our neighboring churches in the Valley have gradually increased the price. The time has come, however, when we, too, must increase the price to cover our costs. On September 13 each 16 oz, bag will be priced at $9.
The Just Coffee Committee thanks our loyal supporters and our visitors who have purchased a total of six to twenty pounds per Sunday and trust that you will continue supporting this worth-while mission project by enjoying a cup of coffee served free at our church-wide functions and by purchasing your favorite blend to use at home or as gifts to friends and family. We welcome new customers!!
Submitted by: Phyllis Diamond
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Going Green What Is Sustainability?
Sustainability is a word that is often used in conversations about the environment, but what does it mean? A widely-used definition comes from a United Nations commission that worked on long-term strategies for addressing economic development with attention to environmental concerns:
Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The needs of the present include not only the basic needs of all people, but also the needs of the world’s complex ecosystems. These ecosystems provide for human survival in the most elementary ways: through clean air, water, food and shelter. Yet, we are exploiting the world’s ecosystems faster than they can replenish themselves. Human-created environmental degradation is threatening and destroying human communities daily. Damaging the environment causes more people to be hungry, sick and live in poverty.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment revealed that we are using most of the essential ecosystems for food production, water quality, disease management, and climate regulation in unsustainable ways. This means that ecosystems are becoming less and less able to provide “environmental services”- the things we and all creatures require to survive: clean water, clean air, food sources that are resistant to disease, and stable conditions for growing food and building homes. Those living in poverty are the most vulnerable to these damaging effects. (From National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Resources)
Recycling Reminders
The Going Green committee reminds you that we have recycling bins in the far corner of the church parking lot. The Lions Club has provided two bins for recycling newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and used computer paper. The Lions Club also has a bin for aluminum cans. Please make use of these convenient recycle bins and tell your friends and neighbors that they are available.
The Lions Club has recently added bins to recycle plastic containers with a #1 or #2 on the bottom in two locations in Sun City. One is behind the Safeway Store at 107th and Bell Road. The other is at the corner of 107th Ave. and Peoria Avenue.
Unfortunately we will no longer collect plastic grocery and other bags. Walmart has discontinued the grocery bag recycling fundraiser for schools; therefore no more bags will be needed. Remember to carry your cloth bags to the grocery store to prevent even more plastic bags from ending up in the land fills.
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Debbie Young shared the following:
Cancer Update from John Hopkins Hospital, U S - Please Read:
1.No plastic containers in micro.
2.No water bottles in freezer.
3.No plastic wrap in microwave.
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.
Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.
Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.
Better Light Bulbs Coming
While there is no argument that CFL’s are more energy efficient, as is the case with any solution, it pays to examine all the benefits and pitfalls. There are small amounts of mercury contained in the CFL. Aside from the potential danger of breakage, there's also the disposal issue. Used bulbs need to be recycled, not thrown in the trash. (Home Depot takes them) Fortunately, there is a far better solution coming to lighting sockets near you: Light emitting diodes (LED). A quick look at the table below demonstrates that the efficiency of LEDs far surpasses that of incandescent lights as well as CFLs. They also tend to emit far less heat than incandescents.
Lighting Comparisons
Lumens Hours of Operation
Incandescent 15 750
CFL 50 10,000
LED 100 50,000
Source: LEDHomeplace.com
Why are LED’s not widely used? There is one little problem with the silver bullet: cost. It seems that a typical incandescent bulb will cost you 60 to 70 cents, while a CFL might be in the $12 to $13 range. However, a typical LED goes for $70 to $80 per bulb. At that rate it's only a few thousand dollars to change out your home. No problem, right? With all that energy you're going to save, LEDs may pay for themselves in 10 to 15 years or so. While that may not be such a great deal for the typical homeowner today, there are certainly many commercial applications where they make perfect sense and provide a cost-effective solution. (Note: All the EXIT signs here at Faith now have LED bulbs).
Research will certainly bring down the costs in coming years. Widespread use of LED’s would save enormous amounts of energy.
Adapted from article sent by Ken Swift, Green Committee Member
Green Cleaning Toolkit “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”
A “Green Cleaning Toolkit” is now available to you! Look on the round table in the main Reception Office area. This came to the Green Committee from the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Programs. It is full of ideas for non-toxic cleaning products. They are safer for you, generally less expensive, widely available and may involve less packaging and advertising, and they are quite effective. Pick up your copy soon!
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