Monday, November 30, 2020

In the News ... "'Be Our Change' – Midland woman using her new business to bless others"

KMID/KPEJ Photo
“If it hadn’t been for COVID, I probably would never have started this business.”

By Monica Quintero, Reporter
KMID-TV/KPEJ-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - “Be Our Change” is our positive, inspirational segment. We’re highlighting a new business in the Basin. The goal of that business is simple; a Midland woman is using her talent to bless others. ...

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

In the News ... "Empty Stocking donors needed"


• Helping those in need in Odessa

Staff Report
The Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The 26th year of the Empty Stocking Fund started this week with a goal of $100,000 and it won’t be met without your help.

Funds stay in Ector County and help needy families like that of the Smith family, not their real name. COVID-19 has hit the family hard due to the father having his hours cut. The family has been behind on their bills since and a happy holiday is not possible without help

These families can be helped through the Empty Stocking Fund, an annual fundraising effort by the Odessa American and Salvation Army of Odessa ...

read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "DeArmond assumes leadership"

OA Photo by Eli Hartman
• Odessa native is the new pastor of Hope Alive Church

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - The Rev. Cliff DeArmond grew up attending the Latter Reign Worship Center and its Christian school and then became its pastor after serving as youth minister.

Noting that the New Testament heavily emphasizes the hope that Christians should have, the Rev. DeArmond said it was fitting to change the 305 E. 19th St. church’s name to the Hope Alive Church in April ...

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: November 30, 2020

Contributed Photo
SYNOD OF THE SUN - DISMANTLING RACISM - Some symptoms of racism might be obliterated with a wrecking ball approach, but a new Synod of the Sun network aims to help dismantle the structure and proactively remember grim events of the past, including the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

From Catholic Charities USA ... "Advent and Christmas Daily Reflections"


Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

At first read, today’s Gospel wasn’t that inspiring to me. Jesus walked by the sea and invited some guys to follow him. Since I know the story, I know great things are coming but the beginning is not too exciting. Obviously, the call to follow Jesus is important. Jesus has called each of us to follow Him and He has given those of us in social ministry a very specific call ...

Read the rest of today's reflection ...



The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same. Catholic Charities is a network of charities with headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization serves millions of people a year, regardless of their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.

Sunday, November 29, 2020

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: November 29, 2020

Photo by Valery Nodem
GLOBAL HUNGER - With the coronavirus continuing to infect scores of people daily worldwide, the number of people experiencing acute hunger is expected to skyrocket globally, and some partners of the Presbyterian Hunger Program say the economic ramifications of the pandemic already are hurting the ability of people around the globe to feed themselves and their families ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

From Catholic Charities USA ... " Advent and Christmas Daily Reflections"


First Sunday of Advent

IThis year has felt like a strange, dark trip away from life as we know it. Although literally stuck at home, I feel akin to the man Mark describes, who leaves his home – I’ve long left the home of old-normal. Loss of normal, of routine, of expected, and for many, much greater losses. Loss of stability from reliable employment, loss of financial resources to pay for food, rent, clothing, and even loss of life. All this loss has brought greater numbers of individuals and families experiencing challenges to rely on the holy work of Catholic Charities ...

Read the rest of today's reflection ...



The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same. Catholic Charities is a network of charities with headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization serves millions of people a year, regardless of their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.

Saturday, November 28, 2020

In the News ... "Abilene Sermons: 11/28-29/2020"

• 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 ...

From @mmm_water ... Must Read Updates About Our Fall Virtual Celebration, Newsletter and Devotionals


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.

Join a celebration like no other!

Join Us for a Fall Virtual Celebration Featuring ...
35 Years of Well Building
The 2020 Well Building Season
Updates from Founder, Tom Logan
Guest Testimonials

Plus! How you can help Marion Medical Mission Now!


Devotionals

Our Devotionals are now also featured weekly on our blog. Just click on Feel Good Stories from our website's menu and you can read devotionals and other great messages and stories from Marion Medical Mission. We will continue to also email the devotionals.

Newsletter

Our Fall/Winter newsletter is out! If you haven't received a copy, you may read it HERE!



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 ...


In the News ... "Different reasons for the season: Two Abilene congregations joining for Advent services"

ARN Photo by Greg Jaklewicz
• A team effort; a relationship grows

By Greg Jaklewicz, Reporter/Photographer
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - It's a chance, the Rev. Mary Glover said, to "share our brotherhood and sisterhood."

Two Sundays ago, Glover, who is pastor of the recently relocated St. Mark's Episcopal Church congregation, continued her 2020 journey. She led the Sunday morning service at Grace Lutheran Church ...

Read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "San Angelo area churches announce worship options, 11/28-29/20"


• 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

From Catholic Charities USA ... "Save the Date | Giving Tuesday 2020"

Save the Date | Giving Tuesday 2020

On Tuesday, December 1st, Catholic Charities USA is participating in #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to joining together to share our gifts with those in need.

Our Lord calls us to care for the poor and vulnerable, and your generous support of our ministry does just that. Now more than ever, we need your help to lift up those living on the margins.

We invite you to join the movement by participating with us this #GivingTuesday.

Please visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org to learn more about our work in communities across the country.

Blessings,

Luis Marquez
Catholic Charities USA




The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same. Catholic Charities is a network of charities with headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization serves millions of people a year, regardless of their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.

In the News ... "Empty Stocking begins today"


• Helping those in need in Odessa

Staff Report
The Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The 26th year of the Empty Stocking Fund is underway with a goal of $100,000 that won’t be met without your help.

Funds stay in Ector County and help needy families like that of Anita, not her real name. She is a struggling mother of three whose husband was deported earlier this year.

These families can be helped through the Empty Stocking Fund, an annual fundraising effort by the Odessa American and Salvation Army of Odessa ...

read the rest of this OA 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 ...

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: November 28, 2020

Photo by Mark Hebert
LOUISVILLE INTERFAITH EVENT - Count on a former architect to see the flaws in existing structures and work tirelessly and faithfully on ways to redesign them.

Such was the compelling draw for the Rev. Dwain Lee, pastor of Springdale Presbyterian Church, when an invitation to endorse an interfaith prayer vigil in Louisville’s Central Park came across his virtual desk ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, November 27, 2020

From ServLife International ... "You Surpassed Our Goal!"

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.



Over $100,000 Raised

You surpassed our goal! Thank you to everyone who gave this September and October. We are humbled, honored, and excited to share that your generosity not only met our 100% MATCHED goal of $100,000, but took it to $167,583.16. Thank you for your willingness to invest in God's kingdom around the world.

These funds will go far to equip pastors, educate children, and empower families in India and Nepal. Furthermore, this campaign was a HUGE first hurdle in the groundbreaking of the Forever Home in Nepal. Thank you for giving so generously.

Thank you,




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 Synod of the Sun, PC(USA) ... Good News Stories: "Okra Abbey"

Amidst the changes and chances of the COVID-19 pandemic, churches and entities throughout the The Synod of the Sun found ways to not only survive but also find unique and beautiful ways to minister to God's people in need. Mission and ministry takes form in supplying basic necessities to caring for the environment. Connections have been made via video feed and blankets. Love is supplied via learning how to read to dArive-in diapers.

You can read all of our Good News Stories on our website at synodsun.org/good-news-stories.

How has your community found ways to continue to minister when "the church has left the building"? Send us your Good News Stories ideas! Contact Thomas Riggs, Communication and Administrative Coordinator or the Matt Curry, author and story collector.



Okra Abbey

By Matt Curry

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Though the pandemic forced changes this year upon the community garden/sacred space known as Okra Abbey, a new partnership helps the unusual ministry produce bushels of friendship and faith.

The Abbey, a mission of the Presbytery of South Louisiana and a New Worshipping Community of the PC(USA), provides food and sanctuary for residents of the Pigeon Town neighborhood of New Orleans. Like churches across the vast, four-state Synod of the Sun, the shutdown prompted by the coronavirus brought sudden, unexpected challenges to the Abbey’s ministries.

Particularly impacted was the Abbey’s vital “Grace & Greens” outreach, a community meal held every Wednesday in which neighbors gather around a table for sacred stories, food and fellowship.

Suddenly, the sit-down meal was no longer an option. Meanwhile, due to economic pressures, a local restaurant that donated food for the event to augment the Abbey’s fresh vegetables could no longer help, said the Rev. Hannah Quick, organizing pastor and executive director.

Quick turned to Jefferson Presbyterian Church, a nearby, can-do congregation of 41 people that also serves as a distribution location for the Second Harvest food pantry. The church now provides its kitchen for the Abbey to cook its own weekly meals and donates pantry items.

“It’s really a cool way to collaborate with one another,” Quick said.

Loretta Credo, a session member at Jefferson, said the church was glad to help the Abbey, which she said is doing a lot of good in the neighborhood. Jefferson, which has been without fulltime pastoral leadership for 20 years, has a history of finding creative ways to reach out to its community.

“It doesn’t cost us a penny to say, ‘Come use our kitchen, come use our pantry,’” Credo said. “All we did is say, ‘We’ve got a kitchen, you’re welcome to use it, we’ve got food, you’re welcome to use it.’ Jesus never said, ‘Wait til you get a minister.’”

Amelie Thompson first visited the Abbey shortly after it opened three years ago to have a meal and listen to opera singers. She kept coming back, and now she hands out meals-to-go, which has replaced Grace & Greens’ sit-down format. Thompson and Quick both deeply miss being able to spend time at table with neighborhood friends.

“When I first started going, I was very much out of my comfort zone, but I liked it,” Thompson said. “I keep going. I want to try to get to know people better – to have an opportunity to know all types of people better, rather than the people I’m used to knowing. I wish we could all get together again.”

For now, long conversations have been replaced by eye contact and a brief hello. Despite the modifications, Grace & Greens continues to provide 40-50 meals per week. The Abbey’s “Peas and Love” programs, which provides fresh produce to the homebound through deliveries and pickups, reaches as many as 31 families a week.

Quick leaves the produce on front steps, lamenting the lost opportunity to come inside to talk. But there have been unexpected gifts along the way: meaningful conversations through a screen door, someone passing by the Abbey and stopping to chat over the fence.

“It’s happening like it used to,” Quick said, “but with more space between us.”

In the heat of late summer, the harvest began to wind down. In early September, eggplant and peppers were still growing, and the greens were beginning to bounce back.

The okra, a Southern staple, was about done.

Not so for Okra Abbey, which continues to partner with others to produce a rich bounty of love.



The Rev. Matt Curry is in search of Good News from ministries throughout the Synod of the Sun that are making connections with their congregations and communities. Do you have an idea to share? Send Matt an email at cpcwaxpastor@gmail.com.

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “Celebrate the Season of Giving with Free Wheelchair Mission”

Founded in 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Headquartered in Irvine, California, FWM works around the world in partnership with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations, sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, providing not only the gift of mobility, but of dignity, independence, and hope.



Friday Story: “Celebrate the Season of Giving with Free Wheelchair Mission”

Seasons greetings ... the holidays are here!

Usually, at this time of the year, we would be inviting you to join us for a holiday prayer breakfast in Houston, but due to the current situation with COVID-19, we will not have an in-person gathering at this time.

However, the need for mobility in developing countries remains great—perhaps greater than ever.

Therefore, we invite you to celebrate the “Season of Giving” with Free Wheelchair Mission and help provide the gift of mobility to individuals in need.

Our goal this year is to raise funds to provide 900 wheelchairs, and you can help in one or more ways.

Buy Christmas/Holiday Gift Cards

Purchase Free Wheelchair Mission Christmas cards or Holiday cards, and you will provide the transforming gift of a new wheelchair to someone living with a disability in a developing country.

You will also receive beautiful greeting cards to give to others as a gift. Each card features a photo of a life transformed by mobility and includes a unique gift code that the card recipient can use to choose which region to send a wheelchair to: Africa, Asia, or Latin America. They’ll later receive email updates about the wheelchair they sent.

Not only do these Christmas cards provide gifts to two individuals—the one who receives the card and the one who receives the wheelchair—they help further awareness about the cause of mobility.

Visit FreeWheelchairMission.org/Christmas/Christmas-Shop to order your cards. E-card options are also available ...

Give the Gift of Mobility

If, in addition to or in lieu of greeting cards, you would like to make a donation of $80 or more as part of our “Season of Giving,” visit FreeWheelchairMission.org/SeasonOfGiving-Southwest

And don’t forget—it’s also year-end, so remember to make your gifts prior to December 31st!

Celebrate the meaning of the holidays with Free Wheelchair Mission’s “Season of Giving” and help transform lives with the gift of mobility.

Warmest wishes,

The Southwest Region Advisory Council
Free Wheelchair Mission

In the News ... "Curbside Bistro gives away more than 800 meals for Thanksgiving"

KOSA Photo
Has done this event for six years - but there’s never been a year quite like 2020

By Joshua Skinner, Reporter
KOSA-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - “We started in 2015 and haven’t planned to stop ever since.”

Chef Alejandro Barrientos of VCurbside Bistro is passionate about his Thanksgiving meal giveaway ...

Read/watch the rest of this KOSA report ...

In the News ... "Salvation Army hosts drive-thru Thanksgiving lunch"

KOSA Photo
Branch Captain Juan Gomez says it was the best solution for a bad situation

By Joshua Skinner, Reporter
KOSA-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - The Salvation Army of Odessa’s annual Thanksgiving lunch looked a little different this year ...

Read/watch the rest of this KOSA report ...

In the News ... "Empty Stocking Fund celebrates 26 years"


• Help needy Odessa families during this difficult year

By Laura Dennis, Reporter
The Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - It’s been a tough year with economic woes as well as fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of Odessans are struggling this year and a happy holiday could be out of reach for them.

That’s where you and the Empty Stocking Fund come in. The Empty Stocking Fund is an annual fundraising effort by the Odessa American and The Salvation Army of Odessa ...

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: November 27, 2020

REV. DR. DARRELL GRUDER, A PIONEER IN MISSION THEOLOGY - From an early age, the Rev. Dr. Darrell Guder knew he was going into ministry. In fact, in grammar school he envisioned himself in the mission field in the South Pacific ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, November 26, 2020

In the News ... "WTFB in need of help"

• Local individuals, communities and agencies encouraged to connect

Staff Report
Odessa American


WEST TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank has set up a few opportunities for the community to get involved since this year is different due to COVID-19.

WTFB are now accepting small volunteer groups and individuals through its new volunteer website wtxfoodbank.volunteerhub.com to help them keep organized ...

Read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "'Abilene has Thanksgiving meals to those on wheels"

ARN Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich
• Approximately 1,000 meals given away

By Ronald W. Erdrich, Photographer
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Volunteers give out Thanksgiving dinners in the north parking lot of the Abilene Convention Center on Wednesday. The Thanksgiving Day "Feast for All" was organized by the Taylor County Veterans Service Office and was held in the parking lot to minimize exposure risks from COVID-19. Bryan Massey, the director of the office, said they had approximately 1,000 meals they were giving away.