Mission

The Mission of St. Andrews

This month we are featuring news on the Sweater Project. If it looks like a rainbow in the corner of our Gathering Space, it’s because many of the 56 children’s sweaters (Knit for Kids) are hanging there! Our church members (and a few friends of St. Andrews) have been clicking their knitting needles and crochet hooks since fall, producing these lovely sweaters to be sent, in September, to World Vision (in conjunction with Guideposts Magazine). These sweaters will be sent all over the world to the many children who need them.

The program began with Guideposts in l996 and, to date, more than 600,000 sweaters have been distributed. A great way to use up left-over yarn (or new), both acrylic and woolen yarns are accepted. The pattern is easy and is provided by going on-line to knitforkids.org. The Mission Committee has offered to pay for the postage to send our sweaters, and this will be a great help. You still have time to add another sweater to our collection; do stop by and see the beautiful handiwork. Many more sweaters are stored in tubs under the table in the Gathering Space and there’s also one there for donated yarn. Questions? Call Judy McQuilkin 352-7786.

Travel to Palestine. Don and Carol Mead reported that they are planning a trip to Israel/Palestine in November and inviting others to join them on this mission trip. More details will be forthcoming in the next newsletter. Please see Don or Carol if you need more information before our next mission meeting.

Concert-on-the-Hill. Ray Nichols has reported that the first concert will be June 27th at 3 PM featuring David Chown and Miriam Pico. This concert will support Habitat for Humanity. Another concert is scheduled for September 26 at 3PM, Interlochen Faculty Quintet. There are other concerts under consideration including a children’s concert.

Habitat for Humanity. Paula Nichols reported to mission committee that two homes are about to begin construction. She shared the exciting new of the “Restore” which will take donations of used building materials, furniture and appliances and sell them for fund-raisers. Please see the notes in the newsletter and save the phone number of Steve Tebo (231) 645-0430 who can arrange for free and easy pick-up of your donations.

The Mackinac Presbytery will be hosted by St. Andrews on May 15. About 100 commissioners from various churches will be attending for the day-long meeting. Please contact the church if you would be willing to house someone and contact Penny S. if you are willing to help with the serving of lunch. The mission committee will be showing the slide show from STAMP and there will be a mission table with information on St. Andrews mission projects.

Thank you to the congregation for your contributions of One Great Hour of Sharing ($3,166) and the Presbytery Disaster Assistance Fund for Haiti ($1,780)!

The next special offering with be Pentecost collected on May 23rd. 50% goes to the GA ministries with youth and young adults, 40% goes to congregations’ ministries with children at risk and 10% goes to child advocacy at the national level. Pam Pendexter will present the Minute for Mission on May 16. Please watch for bulletin inserts during the month of May.

BACN hosted a tour of the newly renovated building and a potluck which was well-attended. With the expanded building space, there are going to be more opportunities for helping your neighbors and more efficient means of delivering food, clothing, utilities, and computers/work space for the GED and other programs. The move-in date is to be around the 1st of May. If you wish to help, please contact BACN directly for a sign-up time so they will not have too many volunteers at one time. Penny Szczechowski will be taking over as the church representative to BACN and will be the liaison between the Mission Committee and BACN. Thank you, Penny! Judy Duda will continue to empty the donation bins in the sanctuary. Thank you, Judy!

STAMP Work is well under way in planning the STAMP project. Please mark your calendars for the week of August 16-20. Jim Szczechowski will be the project manager assisted by John Sargent and John Wehmeyer. Jeannine, Ray, and Jim Pendexter will continue to collaborate in the planning. There will be many ways to serve again this year. Jim & Pam Pendexter will once again be in charge of the meals. The Dundee, Illinois workers have volunteered to come up and join in the projects this year!

Mission Chair, Jeannine Chapman