In the News ... "United Supermarkets to donate 1,000 pairs of socks to Salvation Army of Midland/Odessa"

• Through "Pears and Pairs" Initiative

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - United Supermarkets will donate 1,000 pairs of socks to the Salvation Army of Midland and the Salvation Army of Odessa (500 pairs each) following its ‘Pears for Pairs’ initiative.

The donation is set to take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the United Supermarkets located at 2751 North County Road West.

For each purchase of Rainier Fruits pears and apples during the fall and winter months, a portion of the proceeds went to purchasing socks to donate to organizations that support the homeless community.

United Family guests and Rainier Fruit, a total of 5,000 pairs of Hanes socks will be donated to charitable organizations in Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Lubbock, Abilene and Wichita Falls.

From Equal Exchange ... We're updating our prices — here's why"

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.

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Our collective direct supply chains are a lifeline to farming communities at this crucial time

Supply chain disruptions have been in the news throughout the pandemic and you’ve probably personally experienced product shortages on your local grocery store shelves. The costs of doing business continue to climb for Equal Exchange and our producer partners at every step of the supply chain. At the writing of this letter, the cost of green coffee beans on the commodity market has continued to increase month after month as have transportation costs from farmers to Equal Exchange and from us to you.

We’re also doing this at a time when Equal Exchange and our farmer partners are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change. As always, our focus is to create impact for farmers, consumers, and alternative traders for the long term. This context of uncertainty makes it exceptionally difficult to plan and make the right investments for the future, particularly for vulnerable farming communities.

We thank you for your continued support and understanding. Together, our collective direct supply chains are a lifeline to farming communities at this crucial time. Increased prices will enable our important work to continue. Equal Exchange pays farmer partners well above market prices, and expects to pay farmers even more this year. We will also continue to support additional farmer co-op investments and community projects beyond product purchases.

Here are some resources that may help with the transition:

• A recording of a workshop from the 2021 Equal Exchange Summit: Farmer Co-ops Amid Unprecedented Disruptions: How are They Faring? with Equal Exchange's coffee buyer Todd Caspersen, 

• Request a virtual presentation from us for your congregation or community group.

We’d be glad to visit you via Zoom and address the different challenges that Equal Exchange and farmers are facing at this time.

• Share some of our fair trade educational resources like videos, supply chain infographics and more in a newsletter, e-bulletin, or social media to explain the work that Equal Exchange is doing and what fair trade pricing means for farming families around the world.

• Here is a PDF of the new price list which will take effect on February 9th.

If there are other things that may be helpful to you please let us know and we’ll work with you to see how we can help in this transition. We are as committed as ever to transforming the food system, and we are grateful for your partnership in this work.

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Join Us!

We invite you to join our growing community of citizen-consumers who are getting even more deeply involved in Equal Exchange.

We need consumer participation in our organization to build a deeply democratic trade system made up of farmers and their democratic organizations, workers and their democratic organization, and citizen-consumers who now have a democratic space in Equal Exchange as well as their own network. Join us in changing trade, together!

• Learn how YOU can help Equal Exchange ...

In the News ... "Wilson teaches Gospel of Mark"

OA Photo by Eli Hartman

• Oklahoma native says book’s miracles prove deity of Jesus

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Having preached from the Gospel of Mark through year-end, Parkview Church of Christ Minister Denny Wilson says the Apostle Mark wrote “to show the power and strength of Christ, that he was not only a man but also the Son of God.”

Coached by the Apostle Peter and inspired by the Holy Spirit, Wilson said, Mark emphasizes the immediacy of Jesus’s miracles to prove that he is the Messiah. “The keywords are ‘straightaway’ in the King James Bible and ‘immediately’ in the New King James,” he said.

“Mark’s purpose was to prove to the Romans, the world leaders and the governments of the world that Jesus was deity and that he gave his life so we could be saved and go to Heaven.”

Wilson is a 53-year-old native of Shattuck, Oklahoma, who lived in Winfield and Stafford, Kan., while his dad Joe Dale pursued a career in the ministry. He also lived at Plainview and San Angelo and graduated from high school in Vernon, 50 miles west of Wichita Falls.

Minister of Parkview Church of Christ for four years, Wilson has also worked in the restaurant business and he is a verification and validation specialist at the technipFMC Co. He and his wife Robyn have three children and three grandchildren. His father preaches at the Fargo Church of Christ near Vernon. His mom’s name is Ann.

“We want to bring glory to God and call others to Christ so they can be saved,” said Wilson, whose 1700 Park Blvd. church is attended by an average of 35 people at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. “We want to be faithful unto death.”

Along with working as an executive for the El Chico, Golden Corral and Furr’s restaurants, Wilson was a minister in Lubbock, at Eisenhower Church of Christ in Odessa, Wellington, Westbrook, DeLeon, Knott and Carlsbad, N.M. He attended Lubbock Christian University for three years and studied at a series of preaching schools.

Wilson preaches on The Gospel Radio Network in a program called “Take Aim” at 7 p.m. Thursdays and in a recording of his church service at 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Eugene Lopez, one of his members, said Wilson “is a man of God who is knowledgeable in a lot of things” ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo courtesy of Presbyterian Historical Society

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 9, 2022

MATTHEW 25 CONGREGATION - Bethel Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia is an African American congregation of about 45 members that’s doing the work of a congregation 10 times its size. Bethel is described as a little church with a big heart for mission. The congregation accepted the Matthew 25 invitation in 2019, but it was already doing the work the gospel requires ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From Equal Exchange ... "Last Call: 10% Off Before Prices Go Up"

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.

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Our prices are increasing on February 9th


We’re doing this at a time when Equal Exchange and our farmer partners are facing unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic and climate change. As always, our focus is to create impact for farmers, consumers, and alternative traders for the long term. We need a future where alternative values-based supply chains continue to exist, offering a vision of hope and tangible choices that keep building toward that vision.

Please let us know if there are ways we can help in this transition. We are as committed as ever to transforming the food system, and we are grateful for your partnership in this work.

Since the launch of our chocolate program in 2002, we have exclusively purchased cocoa beans from farmer co-operatives in Latin America, yet roughly 70% of the world's cocoa comes from West Africa, mainly the Ivory Coast and Ghana. One of our newest chocolate additions, Organic Total Eclipse, includes cocoa sourced from Togo. Ama Este (pictured above) is from the Ananekope village in Togo and a member of the SCOOPS IKPA Co-op. This community practices a style of cooperation called "solidarity" farming. In this type of community farming, members will help harvest on a neighboring farm one day, and then that farmer returns the favor to help another with their harvest. This way everyone has extra help when they need it.

• Go shopping ...

---

Join Us!

We invite you to join our growing community of citizen-consumers who are getting even more deeply involved in Equal Exchange.

We need consumer participation in our organization to build a deeply democratic trade system made up of farmers and their democratic organizations, workers and their democratic organization, and citizen-consumers who now have a democratic space in Equal Exchange as well as their own network. Join us in changing trade, together!

• Learn how YOU can help Equal Exchange ...

In the News ... "San Angelo retirement center requesting Valentine's Day cards for residents"

Photo by Shane Dunlap, The Evening News

• Benefiting Baptist Retirement Community

By Rosanna Fraire, Reporter
• San Angelo Standard Times

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS -As your children begin creating their Valentine's Day cards, they can add one to the list and send it to a senior citizen.

Buckner Retirement Services is accepting Valentine's Day cards and letters for residents of its six senior living communities across Texas, including the Baptist Retirement Community in San Angelo.

"Cards will also be accepted for Buckner employees to show appreciation for the frontline heroes serving senior adults throughout the pandemic," the release stated ...

• Read the rest of this SAST report

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 8, 2022

ECO PALMS - I recently learned a new word that I thought was appropriate for the year we have all just navigated together:

Tohubohu
(toh-hoo-BOH-hoo)
a state of chaos; utter confusion.

If ever a year was appropriate to be deemed tohubohu it was 2020 ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Midland College to host Citizenship Fair"

• Saturday, February 26

Staff Report
• Odessa American

MIDLAND, TEXAS - A press release detailed that several organizations have joined together to collaborate on a Citizenship Fair from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at Midland College’s Allison Fine Arts Building.

The event is free and will help individuals better understand the process of gaining U.S. Citizenship. For more information contact 432-686-4910.

The 2022 Citizenship Fair is an opportunity to help community members across the Permian Basin better understand the process of gaining U.S. Citizenship, the press release stated. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit informational booths, attend presentations, a mock citizenship interview, and possibly win a prize (must be present to win prize).

Presentations include an overview of the Citizenship Application and a Mock Interview. This is a free event in collaboration with several organizations in the Permian Basin.

• Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center

•  Catholic Charities

• Midland County Public Library

• Workforce Solutions of the Permian Basin

• Casa de Amigos

• Midland College Cogdell Learning Center

• Odessa College

• Literacy Colation of the Permian Basin

In the News ... "‘Abraham’s obedience led to greatness"

Painting by James Tissot

• Patriarch bargained with God just before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The patriarch of patriarchs, Abraham, is considered the founder of Judaism, the spiritual ancestor of Christianity and a major prophet in Islam and ministers say his near-sacrifice of his son Isaac was a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Born around 2150 B.C. in a place called Ur northwest of present-day Baghdad, Iraq, Abraham obeyed God’s commandment to go 900 miles west to present-day Hebron in the West Bank of Israel.

The Rev. Russell Nebhut says it is not known if Abraham’s ancestors worshipped the one true God because Ur was a land of idol worshippers. “He gives up everything he has ever known and leaves with his wife Sarah and his brother Lot,” said the Rev. Nebhut, pastor of Spirit and Truth Church.

“We’re told that Abraham was chosen to be the father of the nation of Israel, through whom the promise of the Messiah would be carried. From Abraham, Isaac and Jacob came the 12 tribes of Israel.

“God told him, ‘Through you the people of all the nations of the world will be blessed. Those who bless you will be blessed and those who curse you will be cursed.’”

Nebhut said Abraham’s willingness to obey God and sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22 has strong parallels to Jesus’s crucifixion. “Abraham took two servants with him to the mountain and Jesus was crucified with two criminals,” he said.

“Abraham, who was called ‘Abram’ till God changed his name, carried the knife and Isaac carried the wood on his back just like Jesus had to carry the cross. The father was willing to sacrifice his one and only son. It was a test of faith. Abraham bound Isaac and then when the angel stopped him, he caught a ram and made a burnt offering of it instead.

“Most theologians believe that the place where Abraham took Isaac was Calvary, the same hill where Jesus was pierced and consumed by the fire of judgment.”

Another highlight of Abraham’s story is in Genesis 18, where he shows hospitality to three men who walk up to his tent “near the great trees of Mamre” between Hebron and Jerusalem. He recognized that the men were unusually distinguished and he hurried from his tent, bowed to them, gave them water to drink and to wash their feet with and ordered Sarah to make bread and a servant to kill and cook a calf for them to eat.

Nebhut said two of the men were angels and the third “was God in incarnate form,” who told Abraham that he was going to Sodom and Gomorrah to see if they should be destroyed. “Genesis 18:22 says Abraham was left standing before the Lord when the two angels went on,” he said.

Having bargained with God to spare the cities if 10 righteous men could be found in them, Nebhut said, Abraham went the next morning to the place where he had stood before God and saw smoke rising from Sodom and Gomorrah “like the smoke of a furnace.”

He said the angels might have been Michael and Gabriel, but the scripture does not give their names.

Adam Elliott, co-minister of Downtown Church of Christ in Midland, said the Apostle Paul “points out that Abraham was the one who received the promise and it was through him and his offspring that Jesus would come.

“Abraham is the perfect example of having righteousness through faith and having the willingness to do whatever God would ask,” Elliott said. “He thought he would have to kill Isaac, but he reasoned that God could raise Isaac from the dead and would resurrect him.

“Isaac is a forerunner of Jesus because he foreshadows the crucifixion in almost every detail.”

Elliott said the story of Abraham’s humanity “is relatable because his human weaknesses shine through as he trusts God from one step to the next ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Heidi Guttschuss of World Relief

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 7, 2022

WELCOMING AFGHAN REFUGEES - An undercurrent of fear ran through the celebration for graduates of English as a Second Language classes conducted by the refugee resettlement agency World Relief at Carmichael Presbyterian Church in Carmichael, California, a city 11 miles northeast of Sacramento.

It was a huge accomplishment for Afghan refugees, particularly with the added difficulty of taking the classes virtually during a pandemic ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

"Did you know ... ?"

... that earlier this week was "Four Chaplains Day" in the United States?

No? Well, you're not alone. The 79th anniversary of that fateful night, when four U.S. Army chaplains gave their lives that others might live, caused barely a ripple this week. It has come and gone quietly, and largely unmarked.

And I might have remained ignorant of the fact were it not for a stop, a few years ago, by Wikipedia's home page, where I perused their "This Day in History" column. A link in that column took me to a Wikipedia page where I learned that, in 1988, the United States Congress established February 3 as "Four Chaplains Day." And get this ... Congress acted unanimously in doing so ....ah, those were the good ol' days!

The page went on to note that some state or city officials commemorate the day with official proclamations, sometimes including the order that flags fly at half-mast in memory of the fallen chaplains. In some cases, official proclamations establish observances at other times: for example, North Dakota legislation requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation establishing the first Sunday in February as "Four Chaplains Sunday."

Notice the frequent use use of some variation or another of the word "some."

The day is also observed as the "Day of the Dorchester Chaplains" in the lectionary cycle of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. And there are memorials to the four chaplains - one Catholic, two Protestant, and one Jewish - in a variety of media around the country ... stained glass windows, stone monuments, postage stamps, building and chapel names ... and wax ... at least once upon a time.

I was reminded of a visit my family made to Washington, D.C. back in the sixties, while my father was posted to nearby Quantico, Virginia. One of our stops that day was to the National Historic Wax Museum. I don't recall the other exhibits ... but I remember the one devoted to the four chaplains, their commitment to their faith and their answer to their calling. It was a large exhibit, with the movement and noise that suggested a ship at sea, all set in a pool of water. The display - and the museum itself - is long gone. But I did find a picture ... ya gotta love the internet!

It is reported by the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation that during the early morning hours of February 3, 1943, at 12:55 a.m., the USAT Dorchester was torpedoed by a German submarine in the North Atlantic. The torpedo knocked out the Dorchester's electrical system, leaving the ship dark. Panic set in among the men on board, many of them trapped below decks.

The foundation reports goes on to note that the chaplains sought to calm the men and organize an orderly evacuation of the ship, and helped guide wounded men to safety. As life jackets were passed out to the men, the supply ran out before each man had one. The chaplains removed their own life jackets and gave them to others. They helped as many men as they could into lifeboats, and then linked arms and, saying prayers and singing hymns, went down with the ship.

As I post this, Four Chaplains Day 2022 is past. Yet there's something about their story that could be/should be observed, cherished and shared throughout the year. May we never find ourselves in the desperate situation they faced ... but may we have at least a small portion of their courage, their love and their devotion for whatever life brings us. 

In the News ... "Abilene Sermons: 2/5-6/22"

• What's happening at churches in the Big Country?

Staff Report
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Encourage your pastor to tell us the upcoming week's sermon topic. It's FREE, and it's open to churches throughout the Big Country. Email it to publishme@reporternews.com by 2 p.m. each Tuesday. Please put "sermon" in the subject line. Include the topic, who will deliver it, a synopsis limited to 60 words, when services begin and the name and street address of your place of worship ...

• Read the rest of this ARN report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Provided Image

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 6, 2022

PRESBYTERIAN FEDERAL CHAPLAINCIES - The Four Chaplains stood on the deck of the USAT Dorchester on Feb. 3, 1943. Linked arm in arm, chaplains George Fox (Methodist), Alexander Goode (Jewish), Clark Poling (Reformed) and John Washington (Roman Catholic) sang hymns and offered prayers as the ship sank beneath the turbulent waves of the North Atlantic. Perhaps these courageous servants of God were comforted, even as we read in our Psalm, by knowing the faithful love of our Lord endures forever.

The commitment the Four Chaplains showed to their calling has inspired today’s chaplains for nearly 80 years ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Lubbock Area Faith Calendar"

Courtesy Photo

• What’s going on in area churches

By Erica Pauda, Reporter
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - From the Avalanche-Journal, news of regular services, and special events and programs at houses of faith in Lubbock and across the South Plains ...

 • Read the rest of this LAJ report ...

In the News ... "Odessa Church News"

• Today and in the days ahead, in Odessa-area houses of worship

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Coming events include worship services, classes, Bible studies, community outreach, fundraisers, mission opportunities and more. The Odessa American welcomes church special events. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesdays for consideration for the following Saturday’s edition. Email oalife@oaoa.com.

Life Challenge Church Kids Challenge will present Winter Glow, a family night out, at 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at the church, 500 N. Grandview Ave.
There will be raffle prizes, meet and greet puppets, nachos, hot dogs, drinks, chips and more.
Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
For more information, call 432-363-5433 or visit lcodessa.org.

The Odessa Police Department has scheduled an emergency preparedness fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5401 N. JBS Parkway.
Visit tinyurl.com/2p943xye.

Belmont Baptist Church, 806 N. Belmont Ave., offers family meals during its Family Supper time from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. each Wednesday when Awana is in session.
Admission is free.
For more information, call 432-332-0248, email belmont@belmontbaptist.org or visit tinyurl.com/23vkhr47.

Catholic Charities Community Services Odessa, 2500 Andrews Highway, need of volunteers for pantry distribution.
Distribution times are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.
For more information on dates and times, call 332-1387.
Visit facebook.com/ccodessatx or ccodessa.com.

The West Texas Street Rod Association has scheduled Cars at Crossroads from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every fourth Saturday of each month at Crossroads Church, 6901 E. Highway 191.
There will be coffee and donuts inside the church.
Visit tinyurl.com/cdjd6pvt.

Door of Hope Mission are in need of financial support to help provide hot meals, a safe place to sleep and shower to those who struggle with addictions through Bible study and counseling.
There a few ways to give:
• PayPal Giving Fund: 100% goes to the mission, visit www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2432315. PayPal does not keep a processing fee when you use this service.
• Door of Hope Mission website, www.doorofhopemission.com/donate.html, or mail a check to Door of Hope Mission, PO Box 1789, Odessa, TX 79760.
• On Amazon or eBay, add Door of Hope Mission as preferred charity, and a portion of purchases will go to the mission.
• On Amazon Smile (www.smile.amazon.com): Login to your account then select Door of Hope Mission Odessa TX so the mission receives donations from eligible purchases when you shop.
• On eBay (charity.ebay.com/charity/charity-name/2432315): Add the Door Of Hope Mission to favorites.
All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, call 337-8294 or visit doorofhopemission.com.

Highland United Methodist Church, 1808 N. Dixie Blvd., and volunteers offer a back door blessing meal at 6 p.m. Wednesdays in the fellowship hall.
There is no charge. Any donations contributed goes toward Highland’s children’s ministries.
Call 332-0261 or email highlandumc.odessa@gmail.com.
Visit highlandodessa.com.

Sherwood Church of Christ, 4900 North Dixie Blvd., offers free clothing on the first Saturday of every month.
With so many families in the community are losing their jobs due to COVID and the downturn in oil, the Sherwood Clothes Closet is an opportunity for people to find needed clothing items for the entire family.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Masks are required to comply with city orders and to protect each other from spreading the virus.

Victory Christian Fellowship Church, 325 N. County Road West, offers individuals assistance who are hurting from addictions to become drug and alcohol free, physically well and most important spiritually alive.
All services are provided for free.
Several homes are located throughout Texas, New Mexico and Chicago.
For more information, call the Rev. Albert Flores at 432-978-9959 or 432-335-8925.
For home locations, call for Odessa, 325-300-0832; El Paso, 915-838-8887; Fort Worth, 817-626-1819; Houston, 713-880-4732; Mathis, 361-547-3755; McAllen, 956-702-2781; San Angelo, 325-658-1061; Albuquerque, N.M., 505-550-5661; Artesia, N.M., 575-745-4294; and Chicago, 773-696-9094.

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 5, 2022

THE IMAGE OF GOD IN THE EYES OF CHILDREN - Creativity is one of the things I love best about being a children’s minister at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church in Lafayette, California. And few are as creative as my colleague, Lori Robinson, associate director of children’s ministry, who says, “The image of God is like a mosaic where each of us has within us a single piece: The more people we get to know, the better we understand the image of God.”

People like Lori inspire me ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "'DWTS fundraiser benefiting Crisis Center is Saturday"

• Respond, sheltering, educating to end domestic and sexual violence in West Texas

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The Crisis Center of West Texas its annual Dancing with West Texas Stars fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 305 E. Fifth St.

All proceeds from tickets, table sales and votes for people’s favorite West Texas star will go to support the mission which is to respond, shelter and educate to end domestic and sexual violence in West Texas.

The 2022 West Texas stars and professionals include Alejandro Barrientos and Kelsey Tanner, Colby Brazile and Pekabu Whisenhunt, Britni Coots Veretto and Jeremiah Leija, Dr. Ghassan Fanous and Kristin Carter, Paige Halphen and Jordan Johnson, Angie Hurt King and Noah Guzman, J Ross Lacy and Madison Loewen, Bridgette Meyers and Janelle Bell, Camila Rueda and Enrique Romero, Alicia Syverson and Richard Ortiz, Aaron Thomas and Emily Hamer, Sean Trotter and Brooklyn Anderson ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

The Rev. Dr. R. Drew Smith

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 4, 2022

BEING A WELCOMING CONGREGATION - Who are the “nones,” the more than 50% of the U.S. population who told Gallup pollsters in 2020 they no longer belong to a church, synagogue or mosque?

A look at the data, the Rev. Dr. R. Drew Smith said during the recent “Leading Theologically” broadcast via Facebook Live, shows that about 30% of those who indicate they have no formal religious affiliation make $30,000 or less annually and have a high school education or less ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "San Angelo area weather delays and closures due to winter storm"

ARN Photo

• What schools, businesses, services and government offices are delayed or closed?

By Alana Edgin and Rosanna Fraire, Reporters
• San Angelo Standard Times

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - The San Angelo Standard-Times will update this list of schools, businesses, and/or events delayed, closed or changed due to inclement weather.

If you have information to add, email news@gosanangelo.com or message the Standard-Times on Facebook ...

• Read the rest of this SAST report

In the News ... "Closures and delays for Abilene and the Big Country due to the winter storm"

ARN Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich

• What schools, businesses are delayed or closed?

By Laura Gutschke, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - To let us know of other closures, email us at PublishMe@reporternews.com or text 325-812-7151. ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Meals on Wheels-Midland closed Thursday"

KOSA Photo

• Conditions will be reassessed, status determined for Friday

By Micah Allen, Reporter
• KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - According to Senior Life Midland, Meals on Wheels will be unable to deliver food Thursday due to inclement weather.

In the meantime, clients have been delivered extra frozen meals so they have food during the weather.

They say conditions will be reaccessed and the status for Friday is to be determined.

Senior Life Midland reminds people it is a good idea to check on your elderly neighbors as winter weather sets in.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 3, 2022

BAPTISM - Contrary to the prayer for the “Reaffirmation of Baptismal Covenant for a Congregation” in the 1993 Book of Common Worship, which begins with “Eternal and gracious God, we remember before you the promises made to your people from the foundation of the world and sealed in the living waters of your grace,” when I think about the meaning of baptism, I scan the biblical narrative not for stories about water, but for stories about God’s promise ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "West Texas Food Bank Pantry Closed Thursday"

• Due to inclement weather

Staff Report
• KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank has canceled their pantry set for Thursday due to inclement weather.

It will not be rescheduled.

For more information about how and where to get help go to: //wtxfoodbank.org/help

If you have any other questions call: (432) 580-6333

In the News ... "Abilene Salvation Army asks for help stocking shelter before freeze hits"

• When temperatures drop, The Salvation Army makes extra beds available

By Laura Gutschke, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - In advance of extreme winter weather expected to arrive in the Big Country Wednesday afternoon, the Salvation Army in Abilene is asking residents to help stock its shelter with hygiene items.

In a Tuesday news release, the organization said its supplies of soap, shampoo, toothpaste and other hygiene items are "dangerously low."

The Salvation Army's local emergency shelter, at 1726 Butternut St., provided shelter to 160 people without homes in January, the release said, and many are expected to seek refuge from the cold weather ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Emergency winter shelter - how to help"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer

• Partnering to serve those who will be outside during the frigid temperatures headed to the region

Staff Report
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - True-Lite Christian Fellowship and Backyard Midland are partnering to serve those who will be outside during the frigid temperatures headed to the region.

They will provide a winter shelter, beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday and continuing through noon Saturday at the church, 3001 N. “A” St.

For more information – including how to help or donate -- call or text Karl Boroski at 432-553-3116 or True-Lite at 432-687-3077.

In the News ... "Salvation Army Shelter will open as needed"

OA File Photo from January 2021 Freeze

• Temperatures expected to dip into the teens Wednesday night and even lower Thursday night

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - A man seeking shelter from the cold at a warming shelter blows into his hands to warm them Tuesday morning, Feb. 16, 2021, at the Copper Rose Building. The man who declined to give his real name was part of a group of travelers that arrived in Odessa the night before.

With temperatures expected to dip into the teens Wednesday night and even lower Thursday night, the Salvation Army of Odessa is preparing to open its doors to help the homeless.

Major Luis Melendez said their building, 811 E. 10th Street, is now up to code after having been closed for several months and it’ll be functioning as an “emergency inclement weather temporary shelter” Wednesday and Thursday night.

Folks needing assistance will be served dinner 5-6 p.m. both nights and can register for an overnight stay up to 9 p.m., Melendez said. They’ll need to fill out an application and have identification, he said.

A continental breakfast will be served in the mornings, he said.

The shelter received permission to reopen from the city Jan. 25 and temperatures dipped below freezing the following two days, he said. Three men stayed overnight Jan. 26 and six men and one woman stayed Jan. 27.

Due to COVID-19, the shelter can’t exceed 75% capacity or roughly 40 people, Melendez said. People will be required to wear masks.

Melendez said unfortunately, the shelter can’t stay open seven days per week because of a lack of funding and volunteers ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo courtesy of Clifton Presbyterian Church

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 2, 2022

MATTHEW 25 CONGREGATION - The First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar, West Virginia, was the first church in the Presbytery of West Virginia to answer the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s call in 2019 to become a Matthew 25 church, focusing on ministries that dismantle structural racism, eradicate systemic poverty and build congregational vitality ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From ECPAT-USA ... "Our Youth Education Program's Impact"

ECPAT USA is part of a global network of organizations and individuals working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

"Our Youth Education Program's Impact”

[Last] year, the ECPAT-USA Youth Education team partnered with a high school in Hartsdale, N.Y., to engage their entire student body in our Healthy Virtual Identities workshop. Over the course of eight hours, ECPAT-USA’s Education team worked with 450 youth and gave them the tools to recognize problematic behaviors on the internet.

Read on to hear from members of the ECPAT-USA Youth Education team about the experience.

What was the reaction from the students?

Valentina: I would say most students enjoyed our workshop. We had a lot of student participation and even had some students who shared their own experiences with both safe and unsafe online encounters.

Kate: The students seemed to enjoy engaging in discussions about the workshop material we presented. Many students expressed definitive beliefs about what information they would or would not share on social media.

Lucy: I found that the students were particularly interested in discussing various elements of social media and the ways it can be harmful and toxic depending on how they use it.

How did you feel it went?

Valentina: I was glad that we were able to workshop such a large number of students on an important topic like online safety. The school was incredibly welcoming and super nice to us all, so that just made the experience even better.

Kate: It was enjoyable because the students were engaged in discussion during each workshop. At the end of the day, although I was physically tired, I felt that it was a valuable learning experience for me.

Did you, as a team of presenters, learn anything from the day or from the students?

Valentina: I always learn something new with every workshop and new group of students I work with. One specific realization that I did come to upon reflecting on our day is in regard to our conversations on sexting. Although we all already are aware that this is a heavy and uncomfortable topic for most youth to speak about, the reactions of some students to the debate that arises when the topic is introduced just emphasized certain changes we should make to the way we speak about sexting, so that we avoid shaming young people in ways that are detrimental and unrealistic.

Lucy: This teaching experience also had me thinking about how it’s important to clearly highlight different identities in our workshops because we have an opportunity as outsiders to help students feel like they have people they can talk to or relate to, particularly in schools or settings that tend to have more homogenous appearing groups of students.

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Your support helps us to continue our meaningful work protecting children from the threat of sexual exploitation and trafficking. Together, let’s keep fighting to create a world where no child is bought, sold, or used for sex.

For more information on this and other ECPAT USA efforts, please email us at info@ecpatusa.org

• CLICK HERE to support our programs

• CLICK HERE to go shopping with ECPAT USA

In the News ... "Food bank seeking volunteers"

• “The work we do day-in and day-out is supported by our volunteer workforce”

Staff Report
• Odessa American

WEST TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank is excited to invite the communities it serves to join its volunteer workforce.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the West Texas Food Bank in the interest of community safety has not been open for regular volunteer opportunities. Although this was a drastic measure, the West Texas Food Bank was the only food bank in the state to not suffer a major outbreak of COVID-19, a press release detailed.

As more people are vaccinated, and as the virus is understood a little more completely, the Food Bank is once again asking the community to volunteer, the release said.

>> All volunteers must register online through our Volunteer Hub portal.

>> All volunteers will be asked to wear a mask and practice proper hand sanitization.

>> All volunteer opportunities are listed on our Volunteer Hub portal.

The Food Bank does have special opportunities for groups, which can also be accessed through the Volunteer Hub portal ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Provided Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 1, 2022

WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK - Indonesia is a nation consisting of tribes with cultural and religious diversity. In Java, where I live, the majority of the people are Muslim ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.