Our August meeting was packed with plans!

Park Hills School Partnership: After several years of dedicated work, Launa Blackburn has stepped down as Park Hills (PH) Coordinator.   Volunteers are needed to take on some of those responsibilities.   Launa did a tremendous amount, and we are not looking for someone to take on “the whole thing.”  To volunteer in the classroom, lunchroom, etc., ask P.K. for further information or contact PH parent-volunteer liaison Jackie Miller:  jmmiller@spart7.org   Our September 12th Share the Plate collection will go to Park Hills to purchase needed uniforms  (these are not expensive school uniforms, but still beyond the means of some families).

Cynthia Lanier will head the Park Hills Christmas Team which will purchase gifts, wrap, and deliver them to the school before the Christmas break.    She needs some dedicated shoppers to assist her—if this is up your alley, catch her at church or let us know by email: suttonak@charter.net  She would like to have her team in place by the end of September.  It should be fun, so don’t miss out!

Where is the Park Hills Box?   Waiting for a good man or woman to take it on—email Alice at suttonak@charter.net  if you would like to do this.  


Our Global Issue: Appalachia
We discussed the upcoming "Appalachia Rising," a mass mobilization in Washington, DC, September 25-27, 2010.  This is a weekend of meetings culminating in a Monday march calling for an end to the devastating practice of mountaintop removal mining.  For more info, see http://appalachiarising.org/  This is a great opportunity to participate in this movement and learn all about it.    Cost is minimal; registration is $50 per person. This fee will cover housing, food, workshops, and trainings (low cost housing is being arranged).   
    “Over 500 mountains have been destroyed thus far, and the practice leads to air and water pollution, causing cancer, gallbladder disease and asthma in communities downwind and downstream. Blasting cracks foundations and huge ponds of toxic coal slurry loom over communities. One, the Brushy Fork Impoundment in Pettus, WV, would kill 998 people by Massey Energy’s own estimates if it failed, spilling seven billion gallons of coal slurry over twenty-six miles downstream.”    There are good resources on this from NPR or PBS podcasts and Utube.  Also, our ppt is still online at http://mrainey.freeservers.com/Family/SocialJustice.html
Three of us are committed to going to the DC event—we have room for one or two more people, and would love to have a young adult or two come along!  Possible “scholarship” available.  


Membership:  Although we would love a few new committee members, we want to remind the congregation that committee membership and meeting attendance is NOT necessary for participation in activities—email suttonak@charter.net if you want to participate in something without attending meetings!  


Peace:  “Have you heard of the  ‘Million Minutes for Peace Campaign.’ Together we're working to collect one million pledges to pray for peace for one minute at noon on the United Nations International Day of Peace (Tuesday, September21). Please forward this message to your email list. Thank you and may peace prevail on earth.”


Coordination of RE with Social Justice: Our teens are concentrating on Homelessness this fall.  We shared the info we gathered last winter with RE. Our homelessness ppt is online at
http://mrainey.freeservers.com/Family/SocialJustice.html
The k5-5th grade Wednesday program is “EARTH SCOUTS,” which will coordinate well with both the Green Sanctuary and Appalachian Tragedy issues.  

We look for ways for all church members and friends to get involved and feel good by doing good!
                  
Online: For more on our 2010 Issues, check out http://mrainey.freeservers.com/Family/SocialJustice.html

       Work is Love Made Visible  ~Khalil Gibran (1883-1931)