Last modified: 02/16/10

Week of Compassion

Week of Compassion continues to respond to the horrific devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti. I’ve had the privilege of watching so many of you from all over the country (and a couple from outside the U.S.) come together and respond to the great need caused by the earthquake in Haiti. Thank you, thank you, thank you—so much. Here is the latest report detailing our ecumenical response to the crisis:

· Church World Service (CWS) is currently planning a two-pronged response. The first includes a bilateral response with two of our partner organizations on the ground in Haiti. Second, CWS will be coordinating a response with Christian Aid as part of the response of Action By Churches Together (ACT) International. Currently, a team of communicators, including the CC(DOC)’s Don Tatlock, Church World Service liaison for Central America and the Caribbean, is on its way to assess the situation, supply Week of Compassion and other partners with information, and help develop the most appropriate response.

 Our historic partner from the Dominican Republic, Servicios Sociales de Iglesias Dominicanas (SSID), will be transporting material supplies such as tarps, as well as CWS blankets, hygiene kits, and baby supply kits. This delivery will empty the shelves of the CWS warehouse. Congregations and individuals are highly encouraged to help out by putting together kits to replenish the supply. It’s easy, quickly done, and can be a great project for church groups of just about any age. Instructions and a list of contents are available at the CWS website. This is an urgent need.

Lutheran World Relief, which currently chairs the ACT Forum in Haiti, is coordinating the overall ACT response, and is working with Norwegian Church Aid, which is currently assessing  the situation on the ground, to provide water sanitation and water delivery in Haiti.

Hot Meal and Choice Pantry

The next hot meal and choice pantry will be on February 10, 2010. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

We are in need of helpers for this ministry.  Help is needed in the kitchen, serving the hot meal, helping the clients shop, door and hall monitors, sign-in, food delivery, and other areas. A committee is being formed to help coordinate this ministry.  Please call the church office if you can help.

THANK YOU AND A REQUEST

For many years, you have been very generous with your support of the ministries of this church and the need goes on.

A request came from the group heading the Community Hot Meal and Choice Pantry Ministry for donations of paper products, etc., for monthly distribution to those needy folks attending there.  So the month of February will be our opportunity to provide single rolls of paper towels to those folks for distribution on March 10th at the Free Meal provided for them.  Thank you in advance for caring and sharing!  Blessings, Marilyn Evans

FRIDAY SPANISH LUNCH/DINNERS

There’s a place at 1852 E. 29th St., in Lorain called THE GATHERING PLACE, where good things are cooking!  The menu is: Spanish Red Rice with Beans, Roast Pork or Baked Chicken, and Salad.  Cost: $6.00.  Eat in or Take out.  We deliver orders of 4 or more.  Orders must be put in on Thursday mornings.

Ana Maria’s Flans (orders taken 2 days in advance) $5.00.  FOR ALL ORDERS, PLEASE CALL PASTOR CRUCITA MARRERO AT 440-240-1183, OR TALK TO HER ON SUNDAYS.

CALLING ALL TEDDY BEARS!

Christian Temple needs teddy bears to sit in our pews and be ‘Prayer Bears’!  We are now collecting new or gently used stuffed teddy bears that will ‘hear the Word,  prayers, songs of praise, and sermons preached.  These special bears will then have an important mission in outreach to others!  There is a collection basket in the parlor.

Bible Study and Prayer Group

For 2010, with the exception of July, the Bible Study and Prayer group will meet on the first Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.  We are scheduled to meet at Eat ‘n Park for all of the meetings, but we may move around a bit when the weather gets better.  Join us for a time of prayer, Bible Study and Fellowship.

Winter Closing Information

In the event that we need to cancel meetings, Bible study or worship services due to weather, illness, boiler problems, etc. the announcement will put out over the “I” alert on WKYC (3), Closing Connection on WEWS (5) and the Lorain County Radio stations WEOL/WNWV and WOBL/WDLW. In addition we will post the closing on the blog site, templenotes.wordpress.com, on our facebook site, and on the answering machine.