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Wind of the Spirit News
At the First Presbyterian Church of Duquesne, four teenage girls have decided, as a positive alternative to the violence in their communities, to start their own candy making business which they have named, Angel Treats. "Angel" stands for Always Needing God's Everlasting Love and their motto is "Making the World a Sweeter Place." A scripture verse about God's love is attached to each package. The girls have applied for Self-Development of People grant money and hope to be able to hire other teenagers to work with them. Through all that they are learning in the process of starting this business, the girls can imagine more options for their future. To obtain information about ordering candy, call 412-469-0480. For more information about Self-Development of People grants go to www.pcusa.org/sdop/ or for contact with the local committee, call Karen Battle 412-323-1400 X 309. The wind of the Spirit is blowing and God is good!
Brookline Presbyterian Church had extra space available in their building and decided to welcome a Head Start program. While Head Start is not a faith-based program, they have allowed Brookline Church to add time onto the program to add a faith-based element to the day. It took some hard work to meet building code requirements but Brookline Church is now receiving rental income from the program and the 40 children attending (and their families) have become a new mission field for Brookline's ministry. The wind of the Spirit is blowing and God is good!
The third annual Blessing of the Animals is being held at Second Presbyterian Church of Wilkinsburg on Sunday, October 14th at 3pm in the park next door to the church. Last year 75 animals (including two frogs) came with their owners to this creative community outreach of the church. Doga (dog yoga) is offered by a representative of Animal Friends and refreshments are served to the animals and their people. It is a fun event that brings together members of the church and community. The wind of the Spirit is blowing and God is good!
The Crestfield Daycamps (VBS-type program that Crestfield counselors brought to the churches) were held in 10 churches this summer and a total of 220 children were reached through these Daycamps. These Daycamps were great fun for the kids and a good way for the churches to connect with more people in their community. This program has been funded by ACT and will be expanded next summer to include MAD Camps (Music, Art, Drama), Reading Camps, and Sports Camps. We also hope to be able to offer these during the school year as a one night per week Kids Club program. Information as to how churches can request consideration for hosting one of these will be forwarded to you as it becomes available. The wind of the Spirit is blowing and God is good!
Olivet Presbyterian Church in West Elizabeth, with the help of people from the community and their partner church, Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church, renovated their manse to be used as a Community Youth Center. Youth from the community will be able to come to the Youth Center to use the computer room, hang-out in a supervised setting, take various classes, and attend Youth Club. While the church has lost the rental income from this property and used money to do some of the renovations, it is reported that amazingly their budget has not been adversely affected. The wind of the Spirit is blowing and God is good!
Calvert Presbyterian Church has been hard at work, along with their partnership churches of Glenshaw, Elfinwild, and Parkwood, establishing a ministry with the children and their families in the Etna community. When the Rev. Beverly James pointed out that there was no ice cream shop in Etna, the leadership of the church decided to look into a snow cone machine that they could use on the corner of their church property as an additional way to connect with the community. "Snow Cones on the Corner that Cares," is the first snow cone ministry I have encountered but what a creative idea! The wind of the Spirit is blowing and God is good!
Three years ago, Bethesda Church in Homewood seemed to be heading for closure. With too large of a building and too small of a congregation, the future did not look good. Under the leadership of Rev. Eugene Blackwell, the church has been establishing itself as a community center and reaching out to people in the Homewood community with various outreach programs. This past August they have had worship attendance of 100 people, which is great attendance anytime but for August this was amazing! The wind of the Spirit is blowing and God is good!
Two of our smaller congregations, Valley View Presbyterian Church and Fourth Presbyterian Church along with Open Door, Eastminster, and East Liberty Churches and Hosanna Industries and Eat Liberty Development, Inc. renovated eight blighted houses in an East End Blitz this summer. An article of this tremendous mission appeared on the August 20, 2007 edition of the Post Gazette. Eight families now have homes through this mission. The wind of the Spirit is blowing and God is good!
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If you would like to share how the wind of the Spirit is blowing in your church, send an email to Rev. Judi Slater.