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The Heart of Mission
September 1, 2020
The waiting is over for so many last week and this week who started school, my nephews in Texas are two. They study virtually until next week when they will go in person. They have to set an alarm during break or they will forget to go back to the computer! My niece does not start until after Labor Day. She and my other nephew are still waiting. They will study virtually in New York. My adult sons are all successfully moved into their new apartments in their respective cities. One of them is teaching band online. Can you imagine!
Friends of PEB Schools in Pakistan, who are “changing the world through education,” reported gratitude for everyone’s generosity and faithfulness that supported their back to school drive. They posted a picture of a water bottle, refrigerator, and cot. Our friend Margy Trimble and her husband Dave have started their new school year at Foreman College in a new house in a new city: Lahore, Pakistan. What change just a few months brings!
Speaking of waiting, here is the link to the Fred Rogers song, “Let’s Think of Something to Do (while you are waiting),” for those of you who don’t get my Facebook post. https://www.facebook.com/FredRogersProductions/videos/452184872398173 I got a request from a Monday Muncher for the song that I have been singing to myself during this pandemic.
A report from the University of South Carolina UKirk (their Presbyterian campus ministry): They have been meeting outside, social distancing, while eating packaged food. John Mark, my son, a senior and co-moderator of the group, misses the homemade food donated from churches and says that it is different experience for the first year students. There is no “hanging out” inside the Ukirk living room/kitchen this year. A silver lining is that because so many parties are off limits these days, UKirk is seeing an increased number of students visiting their program! Food and fellowship draw regardless of packaging! I am so glad the PC(USA) has college groups on campus that can reach out. I wonder if that is happening with college groups at University of Illinois. How are you able to reach out in your current situation? Mission is about going beyond our perceived limits to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.
The flamingo photo above from my yard might give you a clue to an outreach model happening at McKinley Foundation on U of I campus. For the entire month of September, the McKinley Foundation is sponsoring a “Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser” for its student ministries and social justice activities. #GiveAFlock. Check out their website https://mckinley-foundation.org/
Peace,
Rachel Matthews, Temporary Mission Coordinator
Our Mission Agencies Announcements:
Mission Team – Meeting at September 8, 4:30pm zoom.
Courage Connection: If you or someone you love need help, please call Courage Connection’s Domestic HOTLINE (217)384-4390 OR (877)384-4390
Cuba Partner Network Virtual Gathering 2020 – The PC(USA) Cuba Partners Network Virtual Gathering: Celebrating our Connections in the Time of COVID, will be held via Zoom webinar, September 25 -26, 2020. Registration is $20 for all three days. If you are interested in attending, please contact Rachel@firstpres.church for the registration link.
Frontera de Cristo – Coffee & Conversation Continues/Café y Conversacion Continua
Sept 3 de Septiembre: The House that Love Built: A Conversation with Author Sara Jackson
Sept 10 de Septiembre: Conversation with a Recent Deportee who Grew up in Douglas and is Starting a New Life in Puerto Penasco (pending)
Sept. 17 de Septiembre: Clase de Cocina: Come Los Tamales Casi Dividio la Iglesia Cooking Class: How Tamales Almost Divided the Church
Sept 24 de Septiembre: Loteira de Frontera de Cristo: Play Virtual Mexican Bingo with us: Have Fun and Learn About the Life and Ministry of Frontera de Cristo
Email “conversation” to office@fronteradecristo.org to get the Zoom link
Jesus is the Way Prison Ministry – If you missed the Annual Fundraiser last week, you can view the video at https://www.facebook.com/1594891964064517/videos/1712069665608803
Canteen Run: They are looking for drivers and coordinators. You’ll need to go to The Salvation Army or go to app.betterimpact.com/login/volunteer. Once You’ve created your account the keyword is Champaign. Then you get to the Canteen Run driver click on that and apply. If you want to be a coordinator, Sue will take you out on Tuesday and go through the process.
Our current needs are: Men’s medium, large, and xi large underwear And drivers and coordinators We are on Facebook, Twitter at cucanteenrun @ Canteen Run.com. Please follow us.
CU at Home: Save the NEW Date!!! Upcoming Event Highlighting Men’s and Women’s Emergency Shelter, Sept. 30, 12pm.
Rob Dalhaus shared some amazing stories in their latest email:
Sometimes in ministry we can get so busy that we miss the “God moments.” Well today we had not one but TWO of our longtime friends without an address finally get housed in their own apartments!
Larry came up to our staff with tears in his eyes, thanking us for all the help we’ve given him over the past several months. This man has stayed at the men’s shelter for over 180 nights since we opened back on October 31st, 2019. Today, full of emotion and pride, he shares with us that he will soon have his own apartment!
John struggles with mental health issues and has always been met with barriers to housing. Would you believe he has stayed at the men’s emergency shelter for over 280 nights this season since October 31, 2019?!? But today, with his head held high, he received the keys to his apartment!!!
These are the moments that we can’t let go by unnoticed. In the trenches is where lives are changed and for our friends Larry and John, their lives will never be the same! But friend, we can’t be a part of these life changing moments without your support and the support of your church and it’s members.
We invite you to participate with us via Zoom or in-person as C-U at Home will present on the status of emergency shelter in our community, updates on personal success stories, as well as the impact the shelters have had since opening last October 31st, and how YOU can get more involved.
This event will be held at the Vineyard Church in Urbana, IL AND via Zoom at 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 30th. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE! Due to scheduling conflicts, we decided to move the event from September 29th to September 30th.
Please RSVP to Rob or Rick at rob@cuathome.us or rick@cuathome.us so we know how many to expect in person. For those of you joining in person, we will offer a boxed lunch or you are welcome to bring your own lunch if that makes you more comfortable!
Other Mission Opportunities around town –
Twice is Nice Thrift Store is
Open for Porch Sales
607 W. Elm St.,
Urbana
Saturdays August 22, 29, Sept.12, 19, 26
From 10am-2pm
Featured Items:
Sept 12 Electronics, Decorative (wall and other)
Sept 19 Puzzles, Games, Toys, Books Stationery
Sept 26 Winter apparel, Holiday
We are not closed for good, just exercising extreme caution in these difficult times. We will not be opening the shop itself until we are safe. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
We have missed you and hope to see many old and new friends at one or all of our porch sales. Cash and checks only.
We will be requiring masks, limited numbers on the porch and providing hand sanitizer for use before and after shopping.
Let us keep all our mission partners in our prayers, those who are waiting to go back to their place of ministry and those who are able to work where they are. Listen for God’s call to you in their ministry.
Our PC(USA) Mission CoWorkers:
Mark Adams and Miriam Maidonado Escobar (Mexico)
Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta (Indonesia)
Jeff and Christi Boyd (Central Africa)
Jo Ella Holman (Carribean and Cuba)
Bob and Kristi Rice (South Sudan)
Our regional and global mission partners:
Kemmerer Village (and Camp Carew)
Lifeline Pilots
Marion Medical Mission
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Opportunity International
Friends of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan Presbyterian Cuba Partnership
Special Offerings of the PC(USA)
Theological Education Fund
Young Adult Volunteers
Here in Champaign – Urbana:
CU Better Together
CU at Home
CANAAN S.A.F.E. HOUSE
CANTEEN RUN
COURAGE CONNECTION
DREAAM
eMPTY TOMB, INC
FAITH IN ACTION
JESUS IS THE WAY PRISON MINISTRY
THE REFUGEE CENTER
RESTORATION URBAN MINISTRY
SALT & LIGHT
Here at First Presbyterian Church
FPCC Amateur Preachers
FPCC Environmental Committee working with Faith in Place
FPCC Presbyterian Women
FPCC ESL
FPCC Children, Youth and Families
FPCC Mission Possible/Go and Serve
302 W. Church Street
Champaign, IL 61820
217-356-7238
info@firstpres.church
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