Dear Friends and colleagues:
The Meyerland Community Improvement Association Board, conducted a secret email vote to oppose the St. John's/Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services/ Homeaid single parent family project, under an "emergency " clause in their by-laws, without further input from the public, the residents or St. John's. Four members of the MCIA Board did meet with session representatives on Tuesday night, August 7 to explain their vote opposing the project. It was a relatively friendly meeting in which the MCIA board members raised questions and St. John's members, PCHAS and Homeaid responded with factual information. The St. John's representatives made it clear that they intend to move forward with the project and will finalize the lease within the next month and begin to draw up site specific plans for public distribution.
Even though the MCIA Board has registered their opposition, I believe it will be important for there to be a good turnout of folks who favor the project. The MCIA Board has heard primarily from the "Stop PCHAS" people and needs to know that there are reasonable, responsible people in the community and especially in Meyerland who support this project which offers a way for single mothers to rise above their present circumstances and establish an independent and hopeful life for their children and themselves.
If you can attend the MCIA Board meeting on Monday, August 13 at 7:30 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5100 Jackwood, that would be great. You might want to check the MCIA website (http://www.meyerland.net/en/us/) on Monday to verify that the meeting location has not been changed. If you are a resident of Meyerland and feel the urge to speak, I encourage you to do so. Unfortunately, I will be at a series of meetings in Dallas for the presbytery's Committee on Ministry on the 13th or else I would be there, too. If you cannot attend, perhaps you could send a note of encouragement to the session at St. John's so that they will know that there are fellow Presbyterians who stand with them in this worthy project.
In Christ,
Mike Cole
General Presbyter
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St. John's Presbyterian Church
5020 West Bellfort / Houston, TX 77035
T. 713.723.6262 / F. 713.723-4015 / Email: office.sjpc@gmail.com
Worship Service: Sunday, 10:30 am / Sunday School: 9:00 am
