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The Heart of Mission
November 17, 2020
Aren’t these fish from Allerton dreamy? Taking a walk at Allerton can really help the “gray cells” get going. And, when they do, I love dreaming about what will be. As the kitchen renovation comes closer to completion, the kitchen committee has given us an opportunity to dream about how we will be good stewards of this remarkable space. Is there a mission focus anywhere in its future?
Gary Peterson had a really cool idea about a coffee shop called “Holy Grounds.” Wouldn’t people waiting for the bus like a place to grab a quick cup on the way to work or class?
Somebody else had an idea of a senior gathering place. Don’t we all wish for that right now? I hope we will not take gathering for granted in the years to come!
A drive through food ministry might still be needed next Spring, heaven forbid.
And, in keeping with one of our big mission values, we may find a way to do a little microfinancing of our own using the kitchen and the entrepreneurship of a budding caterer. So many possibilities!
I mused over my own cup of coffee to browse what other PC(USA) churches are doing to feed the hunger. Here is one story:
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/tippecanoe-presbyterian-church-soothes-hungry-hearts/
Do we have enough community clout to bring other businesses together with our church to meet a need we see in our very own backyard? What is that need? And, always the question leading us on, “Who is our neighbor?”
Peace,
Rachel Matthews, Mission Coordinator
Our Mission Agency Announcements
World Mission Committee: Nov. 17, 4:30pm zoom
Community Mission Deacons: Dec.1, 4:30pm zoom, (combined Nov/Dec meeting)
Canteen Run’s main fundraiser is not going to happen because of Covid. This is their sole fundraiser for the whole year. What they use the money for is by making a rent payment for their storage unit, buying clothes when things are running low, (they use the clothes that you generously donate), food, bus passes, train or bus tickets, buy clothes for people, etc They want to thank everyone for your generosity. If you donate to them directly, make the check out to The Salvation Army 2212 N. Market Champaign 61820 and write Canteen Run in the memo line.
You can also donate to First Presbyterian and also mark it for Canteen Run. The money will get to them both ways!
CU at Home: Update #2 about One Winter Night! (OWN!)
In this week’s update, we literally “C-U at Home” as Rob, along with most of our Admin Team, are working remotely this week! But with the help of Zoom, the OWN 2021 Church Tour is still rolling and the Planning Team is still meeting! In addition, the Box Dweller numbers are still growing (36 as of today), and the Champaign Asphalt/Duce Construction donation match leading up to Giving Tuesday on December 1 is drawing more attention!
If you are already on board as a Box Dweller or Volunteer, be sure to stop in here at 70 E. Washington St. on any Monday to pick up your OWN 2021 yard sign to display. If not, sign up now! Just click on your choice: be a Box Dweller; be a Volunteer; or be a Business Sponsor. We’ll take it from there!
And now, direct from St. Joe, here’s Rob . . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q3Hoamcv4A&feature=youtu.be&blm_aid=253367297
Friends of PEB just kicked off a triple threat Christmas Campaign, which seeks additional support for scholarships, support for completing the Sargodha Boarding House, and continued support for the Emergency Needs Fund.
For more information on the Christmas Campaign, please visit their website at:
https://www.friendsofpeb.org/christmas-campaign
Please prayerfully consider giving the gift of abounding hope this Christmas. This year of challenges has left PEB with no shortage of needs but nothing is too hard for God to accomplish through his people. Together, we can do it.
Frontera de Cristo – Mentors are so important to us. Our prayers are with Mark Adams and his wife Miriam Escobar and all those in border ministry whose lives were deeply touched by the life of pastor Jesus ‘Chuy” Gallegos Blanco. Mike Ferguson from the Presbyterian News Service writes, “Pastor Jesus “Chuy” Gallegos Blanco passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, Nov. 1. He was, according to his obituary published in the Longmont (Colorado) Leader, loved by many who are grieving the loss of his life. He was 63.
“The Rev. Mark Adams, who came alongside Gallegos as coordinator at Frontera de Cristo in Douglas, Arizona, while Gallegos served in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, one of five Presbyterian Border Region Outreach sites, said among Gallegos’ first words to him upon reporting for duty in 1998 was this question: ‘Are you ready?’”
Read more about the life of Rev. Gallegos, the impact on Mark’s call to ministry as well as how he touched the lives of many….
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/beloved-borderlands-pastor-chuy-gallegos-blanco-dies-at-63/?fbclid=IwAR0PSB7kaHbvj3kJH7AEkKTObuSn2VvK4LHBd_02JjXfSpWdyEwpZMnstic
Restoration Urban Ministries
If anyone can donate any items for this giveaway which is in conjunction with the Urbana Big Give Turkey Giveaway, it would be greatly appreciated . We would need them donated by November 18th, 2020. Suggested items are as follows: Stuffing Mix, Canned Corn, Canned Green Beans, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, And Jiffy Cornbread Mix
Thank You in advance for Any Donations you may have to assist us in giving.
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 (Caribbean and Cuba) – And, for the mission coworker you are preparing to take her place.
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 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
302 W. Church Street
Champaign, IL 61820
217-356-7238
info@firstpres.church
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