Outreach Ministries
Board of World Service

ONE LAPTOP PER CHILD

Many of you have probably heard about this very special project, many years in the making. Here’s their statement from the website:

 

The mission of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is to empower the children of developing countries to learn by providing one connected laptop to every school-age child. In order to accomplish this goal, we need people who believe in what we’re doing and want to help make education for the world’s children a priority, not a privilege.
Between November 12 and November 26, OLPC is offering a Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. During this time, you can donate the revolutionary XO laptop to a child in a developing nation, and also receive one for the child in your life in recognition of your contribution.”

This program has been tested in several countries, and has the potential to begin an important wave of transformation in our world. I have been wishing that I could participate in this special Give One Get One Program, with the goal of one going overseas through the company and one going to a child in a community nearby. Since I can’t do it alone, I’m looking for others who might be interested in participating in a joint effort. Even if we only raised the money for 2 laptops ($399) or for 4 ($798), we would be helping change our world in a new way!

If you are interested, take a look at the website: www.laptopgiving.org and let me know your reaction!  Many thanks! Lisa S. (Email: Lstedman@southchurch.com, Office Phone: 978-475-0321 ext. 103)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley rely on volunteers who, through the goodness of their hearts, reach out to help those in crises.  People from all walks of life are trained by Samaritans to offer support and caring to those who are lonely, despairing and suicidal.  We are looking for anyone who can listen with an open mind, with compassion and without judgement.

Call the Samaritans at 978-688-0030 or email us at:

samaritans@familyserviceinc.com

HUNGER? HOMELESSNESS? GENOCIDE? AIDS? CIVIL WAR?

What are your local and worldwide concerns? The Peace & Justice Committee of the Board of World Service seeks your input and needs your support to bring awareness to our congregation.  Look for future notices of programs and book discussions, in the coming months. Contact: Deanna Atchison (978) 475-8221

BREAD AND ROSES--AN IMPORTANT SOUTH CHURCH MISSION

BREAD AND ROSES is an opportunity to participate in a local mission project with others from South Church.  We are committed to supplying two meals a month – the third Saturday and fourth Thursday.  To accomplish this we need shoppers, cooks and servers.  Now is the time to get involved!  Sandy Meldrum is currently making the schedule for 2008.  If this is something you would like to know more about, please contact her before February 10 at sandymeldrum@verizon.net or 978-474-8700.

NEW BREAD & ROSES OPPORTUNITY

"BREAD FOR THE WORLD"

This year the Board of World Service and Church School children are having as their focus HUNGER.  We invite the whole congregation to become acquainted with Bread for the World, (www.bread.org) a Christian non-partisan organization in Washington, DC that seeks justice for the world’s hungry people by lobbying our nation’s decision makers. This from their September Background Paper:

"As people of faith, it is our moral calling to be politically engaged.  Practicing faithful citizenship is our right under the U.S. Constitution.  We’re serving God when we raise issues of hunger and poverty in an election year." 

They offer this prayer:  "Almighty God, you alone reign over all the peoples of the earth. Guide us, we pray, in selecting leaders who will serve with courage, integrity and humility.  Bless our leaders with a vision of, and commitment to, the common good.  Give us the persistence as citizens to speak out for justice until all your children have a place at the table.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen."

NEIGHBORS IN NEED FOOD COLLECTION

Newcomers:  Do you wonder what the Big Red Wagons are doing in the Narthex?  They are for the collection of staple foods for hungry neighbors.  Elsewhere in this newsletter you will see information about Lazarus House which serves the needy and the homeless.  Neighbors in Need, a food pantry that also serves the larger Lawrence community, provides food to hundreds of needy folks each week.  Bring nutritious foods such as tuna, beef stew, peanut butter and other staple foods to help fill the red wagons each Sunday.  It is easy to help a little bit.  All of us together can make a difference.

Click here for an extended list of South Church Missions

RECYCLE YOUR OLD COMPUTER!!

Holly Dargie, one of our parishioners, is collecting computers for YouthBuild in Lawrence, a GED program of 15 students doing construction, community service and classwork.  Do you have an older computer you don’t know what to do with?  Here’s an opportunity to make good use of this equipment.  They will add memory and adapt what you contribute.  Then, one of the students will take it home and, for the first time, own a computer!

Contact Holly Dargie: hdargie@attbi.com or phone home: 470-2495; work: 681-0548.