Mission Memo for August 2003

New Resources

First, Sheila and I have just begun to upgrade the missions section on the Presbytery web site. Go to www.presbyterywnc.org and click on Mission Zone to see our beginnings. Then watch for the progress. If you have ideas about how to make this useful, let us know.

Want to know more about how our contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing and special offerings are used? Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has just put out two new videos that I can send you gratis.

1. Afghanistan Aid Continues (11:37 minutes): How churches internationally have come together to help rebuild the country. Includes a description of the women's quilting project that we have supported with 2 Cents a Meal money. I have a real quilt made by Afghani women that you can borrow as well.

2. El Salvador (7:08 minutes): The story of a housing project in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. It is possible to send work camps to help in the second phase of this project.

3. The newest additions of Mission Mosaics (from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) and Mission Highlights (from PCUSA Worldwide Ministries Division) are fresh off the press. I'll be glad to send you copies.

4. Get on the e-mail list of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Rapid Information Network and get regular updates of their ministry in places in crisis, whether it be a tornado in Eastern Tennessee or Liberia. To join simply send an email from your computer to <pda-rin-subscribe@eGroups.com>. To Unsubscribe at any time, send an email to <pda-rin-unsubscribe@eGroups.com>. If you have problems with the list, email pamelab@ctr.pcusa.org for assistance.

Mission Trips

1. Young Adult Peacemaking Travel Study Seminar to Guatemala: May 14-26, 2004 (tentative). For young adults ages 19-35; cost $1500 from a designated location. Learn more about human rights, social justice activism and the environment on Guatemala. Meet with local church leaders who are working to improve the lives of those in their congregations. Dialogue with leaders working to change conditions for people working in sweatshops. Sponsored by Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. For more information, contact Amanda Craft at 1-888-728-7228, ext. 5624 or by e-mail at acraft@ctr.pcusa.org.

2. Disaster Response Team to Eastern Tennessee: October 7-12. Applications included in monthly mailing. For more information, contact Billy Wilson at 704-864-1205 or by e-mail at few1@earthlink.net.

3. Summer, 2004, Women's Pilgrimage to Guatemala. With this trip the Guatemala Partnership Task Force inaugurates a series of pilgrimages. Each one will focus on a different aspect of Guatemalan history, culture, environment, and faith. This particular trip will enable women from PWNC to listen to Guatemalan women from a variety of ethnic backgrounds tell about their lives and faith. More information and applications due soon.

4. Church Partner Delegation to Guatemala: May 4-12 (backup date April 27-May 4). For churches that have sister churches in Guatemala. Two, possibly three members of your congregations may apply. Contact me for guidelines and applications.

REMINDERS
MISSION TRIP SITES

MISSION SITE DATA BANK: The Mission Teams Working Group (MTWG) of Presbytery is going to set up a data bank on the Presbytery web site that will include information about potential sites for mission trips. Information will be gathered from churches that have actually visited these sites, so those looking for a place will have a first-hand evaluation of the program, work project, and facilities to help them in making a decision. Please complete the Post-Mission Team Evaluation form if you have made a trip in the last two years or do one this summer.

WEEKEND MISSION TRIPS: MTWG has begun work to set up weekend mission experiences within the Presbytery for middle or senior high youth. If your church might be willing to host an occasional group and/or be interested in sending a group, please let Ginnie know. We will work with your church so it can host Presbytery youth teams. The goal is to get information about host churches and projects onto the Presbytery web site late this year.

1. Fall, 2003: School for Laity Mission Course
Goals of Course:
1. Participants will have a deeper and broader understanding of and commitment to mission generally and through the denomination and the presbytery specifically;
2. Participants will contribute to the faith and vitality of their own congregations;
3. Participants will understand the transforming nature of mission;
4. Some participants will be equipped to provide mission interpretation to other congregations and/or provide leadership for the mission and outreach committees in Presbytery.

SCHEDULE 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Cost: $35.00.
10/4: TOPICS: Biblical and Theological Understanding of Mission
Historical and Present Context of Presbyterian Mission
10/18: TOPICS: Effective Cross-Cultural Communications
What in the World Does the PCUSA (and the Presbytery) Do in Mission?
11/1: TOPICS: Strategies for Mission as a Congregational Ministry
How to Tell Your Story
11/15: Cross-Cultural Mission Experience
12/6:Telling Your Story, Planning, Evaluation, Celebration

MISSION PROJECTS

1. Collect inactive digital cell phones and help support the family of Dr. Barbara Nagy in mission. If your Presbyterian Women are not already collecting them, bring them to the Global Missions Celebration on July 13.

2. Health and school kits are in high demand around the world (Malawi alone has requested 18,000 kits) and the stock in the warehouse is very low. A great project for children and youth. Description of kits available from Presbytery.

3. 75% of Presbytery's portion of the Peacemaking Offering will be sent to purchase AIDS Home-base Care kits for Malawi. More information about the offering is included in this monthly mailing.

HISPANIC MINISTRY

A Hispanic Ministry Network is being set up in Presbytery. There are individuals in each cluster who are willing to come and talk with sessions and mission committees who may want to embark on ministry with Hispanics.

For more info on any of the above, contact Ginnie (828-438-4217; vestevens2@aol.com).