Monday, August 31, 2020

From Outreach Foundation ... Mission Partnership Update

• Responding to God’s call in good times and bad

The Outreach Foundation is not a traditional relief agency. One of our priorities is cultivating deep, long-term relationships all over the world. We work in partnership and when our partners are hurting, whether from an explosion or a pandemic or a war, we want to help. Help from us is usually swift and effective, thanks in large part to you, our faithful and generous donors.

But there is another reason we can be swift and effective in times of disaster and in our day-to-day operations, and that is our committed and passionate staff.

When the port in Beirut exploded, we were in direct contact with our partners in the region within hours. Our communications team had the Beirut Compassion Fund appeal up in 24 hours and our financial staff sent an initial wire of $20,000 within the next 24. This is just one example of what it means to work in partnership—not just with donors and not just with international partners but within our own organization.

After 24 years with The Outreach Foundation, I continue to be impressed by and proud of the way we, as a team, respond to God’s call in good times and bad. With grace and passion and firm commitment to transparency and honoring donor designations, we answer Jesus’s commandment to serve his people and spread his word.

Most of our time is focused on understanding what partners need and raising the funds that will enable them to meet those needs. But once a year through the Annual Appeal, we ask for funds to keep us, the staff of The Outreach Foundation, doing this work that we love. We love being able to send you a picture of a child in Haiti who is in school or of a church in Syria which is rebuilding a bombed-out sanctuary or of graduating evangelists in Mozambique who will have their first church and a skill that will feed their family. We love the fact that you know that the funds you send to us will be used as you have designated. We love being in partnership—with you, the child, the church, and the evangelists.

Thank you for allowing us to do what we love by supporting our Annual Appeal.

Linda Patrick Chief Financial Officer

Click here to learn more about the Annual Appeal



Engaging followers of Christ for His work in the world, the Outreach Foundation is committed to helping the church live out its missional calling, building the capacity of the global church, especially where the church is vulnerable or growing rapidly, and transforming lives through mission involvement.

The Outreach Foundation
381 Riverside Drive, Suite 110
Franklin, TN 37064,
United States
(615) 778-8881
info@theoutreachfoundation.org

In the News ... "City of Odessa to hold moment of silence at 3 p.m. for those hurt and lost in mass shooting"

KOSA Photo
• This will last 32 second

By William Russell, Digital Content Manager
KOSA-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - The City of Odessa will be holding a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Monday to remember the 32 victims who were hurt and killed in last year’s mass shooting ...

Read the rest of this KOSA report ...


In the News ... "Community continues to heal in wake of mass shooting"

KMID/KPEJ Photo
• Remembering the victims and honoring those who rose to the occasion

Staff Report
KMID-TV/KPEJ-TV

ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - August 31, 2019 was a warm sunny day in the Permian Basin. Interstate 20 was bustling with business and residents were enjoying a weekend of leisure. For all intents and purposes, it was a normal day in Midland and Odessa, until it wasn’ ...

 • Read/watch the rest of this KMID/KPEJ report ...

In the News ... "Gifts of love offer hope"

OA Photo by Eli Hartman
• Project quickly expanded beyond group’s members to include quilters from across West Texas

By Sam Waller, Reporter
Odessa American


MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Midland Quilters Guild presented about 60 quilts to victims of the 2019 mass shooting, their families and first responders in the culmination of a months-long project.

Guild president Rachel Garibay said the Permian Strong Quilt Initiative was a show of love through quilting to those affected by the tragedy ...

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.

Contributed Photo
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 31, 2020

CHAPLAINS IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS - The Rev. Dr. Lynn McClintock did a graveside service recently for the son of two residents she serves at a long-term care facility for seniors in Richmond, Virginia.

The man died during the COVID-19 pandemic, so as director of pastoral care at Westminster Canterbury in Richmond, Virginia, McClintock presided over the service while a member of the funeral home staff held out her cellphone and videotaped.

Then they downloaded it to YouTube for the parents to watch. Sadly, the parents were not living in the same part of the campus facility.

“I can tell you that was one of my hardest days in ministry,” McClintock said ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

In the News ... "Preview of '57 MINUTES: Through Their Eyes'"


• Monday, August 31, 6 pm on NewsWest 9

Staff Report
KWES-TV


ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - On August 31st the community was changed forever. Since that day, we've shown what it means to be #PermianBasinStrong.

For the one year anniversary of the tragic event, NewsWest 9 will be taking a look at the day and share stories from witnesses and law enforcement.

Some of these stories are being told for the first time

In the News ... "Gov. Abbott asks that Texas flags be lowered to half-staff on August 31 in memory of mass shooting victim"

KOSA Photo
“It has been one year since the Odessa community was struck by a heinous and senseless act of violence."

By William Russell, Digital Content Manager
KOSA-TV

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Governor Greg Abbott is directing that all Texas flags in the City of Odessa be lowered to half-staff on Monday, August 31, in memory of those lost in last year’s mass shooting ...

Read the rest of this KOSA report ...


In the News ... "'Odessa Strong' walkway"

• Monday on the Odessa College campus

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - A memorial walkway will be set up Monday in the Odessa College Commons walkway across the bridge between Saulsbury Campus Center and the Wood Building.

Members of the Wrangler community have been asked to share messages to be added to the walkway. They may share their experiences from that day, how it has affected them, their condolences to the families affected, or words of hope or wisdom gained from that day.

Messages will remain anonymous unless the person chooses to sign his or her name.

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: August 30, 2020

CREATIVE GIVING - The COVID-19 pandemic encouraging new ways of giving among Presbyterians. Teachers, nurses, physical therapists, small business owners, professors, technology workers, lawyers and older people on fixed incomes are giving faithfully to their churches and worshiping communities during this challenging time of virtual church ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

In the News ... "Abilene Sermons: 8/29-30/20"

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


Staff Report
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Local and area church sermons this weekend.

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 ...

In the News ... "San Angelo area churches announce worship options, 08/29-30/20"


• Here is a look at the communications received by the Standard-Times to date

By Matthew McDaniel, Reporter
San Angelo Standard Times


SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - Faith briefs may be submitted by emailing News@GoSanAngelo.com. Briefs are published in print on Saturdays and the deadline to submit an entry is noon Wednesdays ...

Read the rest of this SAST report

SAST Photo

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 ...

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 Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 29, 2020

OUTDOOR SANCTUARIES - It’s a weekday afternoon in Parsippany, New Jersey. The bumper-to-bumper morning commute has long been over; the harried evening rush home has yet to begin. Still, the traffic whizzing by Parsippany Presbyterian Church has not let up — nor will it. “Thousands of cars” easily pass by the church daily, the Rev. Donald A. Bragg explains ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, August 28, 2020

From ServLife International ... "Pandemic Relief Update and Upcoming Opportunities"

ServLife International is a movement defined by values of God’s kingdom, not programs built around human efforts and activities. The reign and rule of God should be made apparent to every person on the planet, despite their religion, race or socioeconomic status. We believe that issues of justice are inseparable from the good news that Jesus Christ came to proclaim. ServLife exists to take the gospel of Christ and the hope of a better, more just, world to the lives of people we touch. This happens through individual contributions of time, creativity, resources and dreams.



ServLife Photo
Pandemic Relief Update and Upcoming Opportunities

PANDEMIC RELIEF

This week we conducted our second round of economic relief, providing packets of rice, lentils, salt, sugar, and cooking oil for families in need. If you haven't seen the highlight video yet, check it out here. As Director Bekharaj shares, "because of this relief we have a good opportunity to reach out to people and to share the love of God."

BANQUET RESCHEDULED

Due to continued health concerns over COVID-19, our previously rescheduled Global Community Banquet has been postponed to April 24, 2021. Fortunately, Todd Henry remains our keynote speaker, and we hope Nepal Director Udaya will also be able to visit and share at this special event.

If you live near Indianapolis, please mark your calendar for our April 24 banquet and RSVP here.

WE'RE HIRING

ServLife is growing and we are looking for a 10-20 hours/week detail-oriented, task-driven administrative assistant. This position will handle processing checks, sponsorship and donor activity, and general office tasks.

Full description and apply here.

* Because of the job requirements, we are looking for candidates that can work on site in the Indianapolis office.

Peace!




From Adam Nevins
Executive Director
ServLife International Inc.


Click here to give a gift of $30, $90, $150, $300 or more to help families in India and Nepal.




Join Our Mission

ServLife International propels reconciliation and justice by building global community to plant churches, care for children and fight poverty. Compelled by the message, life and love of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for the spiritual, physical, social, and economic areas of life in northern India and Nepal.  Learn more about our latest news, featured stories, and how to get involved at servlife.org

Support a Pastor

Our church planters spread
the love of Christ in some of the most difficult
environments in the world.
Support Them ... 

Sponsor a Child

For only $30 per month you can help give a child food, education, care and, most importantly, hope.
Sponsor Now ... 

Fight Poverty

The HOPE Fund, our micro-finance program, provides start-up funds for a small business, paving a way out of poverty for families in need.
Learn More ...



ServLife International, Inc.
P.O. Box 20596
Indianapolis, IN 46220
USA


From @mmm_water ... Feel Good Friday: "Will You Help?"


Sharing the love of Jesus by providing safe, clean, sustainable sources of drinking water to the extreme poor in sub-Saharan Africa, Marion Medical Mission is one of our mission partners at Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and we STRONGLY encourage you to read the following to learn more about - and pray for! - their mission.


COVID CONCERNS

Due to concerns over Covid-19, MMM has reluctantly decided to cancel the participation of American volunteers this fall. However, 3,000 wells are NOT cancelled! Our African staff is capable & dedicated to clean water in Jesus' name! Please support them with love, prayers & donations! Together, we make the impossible possible!


Well Season Begins Soon!
Daily Devotions for Well Season
September 1 - October 31

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18: 20

3,000 villages are waiting. Field officers in Africa are handling a myriad of details. No American volunteers are going, but you can still be a valuable part of our mission!

We need prayers! Join with us to pray daily over the work of Marion Medical Mission through our short devotions. There's one devotion for every day of well season.

You can receive a devotion each day via email - just click here to get on the distribution list OR click here to download a complete set of devotions from Amazon for e-reader.

Please share this with any of your friends who might be willing to partner with us in prayer. Would you also ask them to add us to prayer lists during well season? 3,000 wells is truly an impossible goal, but together, we can make the impossible possible!

Only together can we be who God created us to be!

Ideas for Feel Good Friday Emails?


If you have a thought, a story, or an idea for a future email, please share by emailing kimberly@mmmwater.org. Together, we make the impossible possible!





Looking for Easy Ways to Help?

Follow us on social media! Liking, commenting on, and sharing our posts helps increase our exposure so that new supporters will find us! Writing a quick, 5-star review on Google or recommending us on Facebook are also great ways to share our mission!

Visit Our Website ...


From @Presbyterian Mission Agency ... Give 8/28"

Presbyterian Mission Agency is the ministry and mission agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Founded as the Western Foreign Missionary Society by the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in 1837, it continues to uphold, support, and raise awareness of mission efforts across the country, and around the world.

• Part of the Presbyterian Week of Action

On August 28, 2020, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be joining #Give828, a national day of giving focused specifically on supporting Black benefiting organizations. #Give828 isn’t like other fundraising campaigns. This day takes place during Black Philanthropy Month and commemorates multiple important historical landmarks in Black American’s march toward freedom.

Your Gifts to #Give828 will go to support leadership development for leaders of color by funding the Katie Geneva Cannon Scholarship and the Conference for Seminarians of Color. Donating to the campaign is one of the action steps you can take as a part of the Presbyterian Week of Action August 24 -30.

Did you know that on August 28, 1955: 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered by three white men, and that became a "flashpoint in the civil rights movement?" On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C. and on that same date in 2005 Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana. The storm, which devastated New Orleans, inordinately impacted many of the city’s black residents. And, on August 28, 2008 then-Senator Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president, becoming the first Black man to ever win the nomination and bid for the presidency.

#Give828 2020 comes at a critical time. The disproportionate deaths in Black communities from COVID-19 and the recent killings of unarmed Black people that have sparked waves of protests illustrate the critical need for resources in Black communities.

Matthew 25:31–46 calls followers of Jesus to actively engage in the world so that faith comes alive and people of faith can wake up to new possibilities. It calls the PC(USA) to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor. The three focus areas of the resulting Matthew 25 Invitation are building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.

Show your support by donating to these important ministries, and be a part of #Give828.

In the News ... "Teen Leadership Council application deadline"

• Made up of high school students from across the Permian Basin

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - Crisis Center of West Texas' Teen Leadership Council welcomes students entering grades 9-11 to apply for the 2020-2021 school year.

Application deadline is Monday ...

Read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "Design, artist to be unveiled Aug. 31"

OA Photo
• Among the related activities are ...

By Sam Waller, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - Odessa is moving closer to announcing the design for the proposed memorial for victims of the Aug. 31, 2019, mass shooting.

Odessa Arts will announce the chosen design, artist and location for the memorial art piece during a taped half-hour special to be aired on Basin PBS at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 ...

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: August 28, 2020

REV. DR. PATRICK D. MILLER, JR., AUTHOR - The Rev. Dr. Patrick D. Miller Jr., a prodigious scholar at two seminaries affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), died May 1, in Black Mountain, North Carolina after a long illness. He was 84 ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

In the News ... "Lubbock area crews, volunteers responding ahead of Hurricane Laura"

Contributed Photo
• Monday night, UMC EMS deployed its AMBUS (multi-patient vehicle) to Beaumont

By Adam Young, Reporter
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - Lubbock area volunteers and first responders have been deployed or on standby to help residents potentially in the path of Hurricane Laura as it approaches the Gulf Coast ...

 • Read the rest of this LAJ report ..

In the News ... "Prayer service set to mark shooting"

“All of us in this community were impacted by the events of 8/31"

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - The various ministerial alliances of the Permian Basin will offer a prayer service remembering the loss of life and injuries to community members inflicted by a gunman one year ago.

The service will be held at 8 p.m. Monday in the west parking lot of Connection Christian Church, located at 4241 Tanglewood Lane ...

Read the rest of this OA report ...

From PC(USA) Store ... Your Advent in August Sale Starts Now!

The Presbyterian Church (USA) offers a central online store where you can find all PC(USA)-produced books, curriculum, and resources in one place. PCUSAStore.com is a comprehensive selection of PC(USA) resources that provides the information and materials necessary to support new and existing congregations, leaders, study groups, and individuals forge a deeper understanding of Presbyterian beliefs and doctrines. PCUSAStore.com is maintained by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, the publishing house of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Geneva Press curriculum publishing, and other agency partners.



Save 40% when you pre-order forthcoming books; save even more on Advent and Christmas classics

Get a head start on your Advent planning and save up to 50% on more than 25 books! Discover which of these new and best-selling books for devotion, group study, and worship preparation are right for you.

These great deals end Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

Browse the Advent in August Sale ...



Please Note: We can currently only ship to customers in the United States. For our international distributors, please contact us at support@pcusastore.com.

PC(USA) Store
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(800) 533-4371
support@pcusastore.com

In the News ... "St. John’s glad to be back in session"

OA Photo by Ben Powell
• It’s been different returning to class with all the required safeguards

By Ruth Campbell, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - After being out since March because of COVID-19, the general consensus around St. John’s Episcopal School is students and teachers are happy to be back in class ...

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 Rich Copley
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 27, 2020

MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC - The COVID-19 crisis has “brought home the relevance of mental health to everyone,” said Donna Miller, associate for Presbyterian Mental Health Ministry. “There’s this recognition that the situation that we’re in increases mental health vulnerability across the board. We know that prolonged stress does that for people.” ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

In the News ... "'The Bridge' to livestream special remembrance"

OA Photo by Mark Sterkel
• Victims will be honored, along with first-responders of the community

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - The Bridge will be live-streaming a special remembrance service and prayer vigil to honor victims, survivors and first responders impacted by the Aug. 31, 2019, mass shooting at 6 p.m. Sunday. ...

Read the rest of this OA report ...

News from Presbyterian World Mission ... August 2020


A message from Presbyterian World Mission ... Presbyterians do mission in partnership. We believe that doing mission in partnership broadens our awareness of how interconnectional God’s mission is at the local, national and global levels. The one table around which we gather is God’s table and the one mission to which we are called is God’s mission.



August 2020

Mission Matters;
2020 virtual Congo Mission Network annual conference;
Technology bridges the gap between two continents;
Voices in Israel-Palestine cry out for justice;
‘There’s no "them." There is only "all of us"’;
Working together to be the Church in Niger;
Taiwan has become a role model in fighting COVID-19;
Support mission co-workers;
Mission co-workers continue to serve Zambia from Atlanta;
Invite a Presbyterian mission co-worker for a virtual visit to your church;
and more!

Read this month's News from Presbyterian World Mission ...

In the News ... "Feeding America CEO visits WTFB"

MRT Photo by Jacy Lewis
• People supporting local food banks are supporting their neighbors – something West Texas is known for

By Jacy Lewis, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

ODESSA, TEXAS - The CEO of Feeding America, Clair Babineaux-Fontenot, toured the West Texas Food Bank Odessa location on Tuesday because she said she wanted to acknowledge the nonprofit’s innovative leadership and to thank residents for stepping up their support ...

Read the rest of this MRT 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.

File photo by Gregg Brekke
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 26, 2020

PRESBYTERIAN OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES NETWORK - Presenting during a webinar sponsored by the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network, the Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner discussed what sociologists have labeled “the Bernie Effect,” natural bonds that can form between millennials and people old enough to be their grandparents, or even great-grandparents. What’s going on there resembles the way millions of young people were drawn to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, during his presidential runs in 2016 and 2020 ...

CLICK HERE to read more.