During the decade of the child PC(USA) churches are encouraged to give special attention to and advocate for the needs of children: all children, both in our own community, in our country and around the world.
HERE ARE WAYS WE HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE:
**Children at St. Johns are nurtured by prayer and an active ChristianEducation program; including weekly Sunday School; summer Vacation Church School; Sunday church service children’s time, PYF and observing Children’s Sabbath in the fall.
**Volunteers make 600+ sandwiches a month for pre-schoolers in Houston.
**We contribute to Braes Interfaith Ministries to buy school supplies.
**We partner with Shearn Elementary School by helping on school work days and mentoring.
**St. Johns Presbyterian Women knit sweaters for children worldwide and caps for preemies in Houston.
**We are helping support orphanages in Haiti that have many new children after the recent earthquake.
**Our support for Living Waters for the World (LLW) has helped build clean water systems in Xmaben, Mexico and Arcahaie, Haiti. And plans are underway for more.
**Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services is provided office space at St. John’s and is also supported inother ways, especially at Christmas time.
**We help support Small Steps Nurturing Center – a pre-school for children in an at-risk area of Houston.
**We help support Special Education Partners, pro bono attorneys and advocates for special education studentswhose families need help finding their way through the school system.
**Our congregation and individuals help sponsor AIDS orphans at the Lulwanda Children’s Home in Ugandaand also helped Kathie Hartzog make two trips to the orphanage for teacher training and establish a library.
**Our contributions to Pennies for Peace help build schools in villages in Afghanistan that will include girls.
**Our purchase of Delicious Peace Coffee made from coffee beans grown by farmers in an Interfaith Co-op inUganda makes it possible for them to send their children to school.
**Our congregation’s support at our annual Living Gift Market in November helps children and families inmany areas of the world. Examples: Heifer Project; Appalachian Ministries; Presbyterian Border Ministries; Presbyterian Homes and Services; Small Steps Nurturing Center; MD Anderson Children’s Art Project; etc.
**Our Outreach Ministries Team sponsors Sunday evening suppers with speakers on key children’s issues inour community. The 2010 series will be on April 18, 25 and May 2.
**We received a grant from Presbytery for the Mustard Seed Project. Ten people received $100 as seed money to develop their own unique programs to benefit children.
-THANK YOU MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN’S FOR ALL YOU DO!!
From the members of St. John’s Outreach Ministries Team
