Mission and Justice Advocacy Team
The Mission and Justice Advocacy Team has specific ministries and programs that fall under the full umbrella of M&J such as:
> Human Trafficking
> Local Multicultural Festival and partnering w/ Latino Steering Committee on various events and ministries
> National Multicultural Conference in 2012 – partnering w/ Church Development and Latino Ministries on the Planning Team for this event
> Helps to sponsor the Stop Hunger Now event during the 30 Hour Famine for youth in the POC.
> Supports Mecklenburg Ministry and HELP (Helping Empower Local People)
> Hosts on behalf of the POC the NC Legislative Seminar, held May 20, 2010 at Covenant PC in Charlotte.
> B.A.T.H (Beyond Abuse To Healing)
> One In Christ
> Stewardship of Creation
> Advocacy & Justice for New Immigrants
and additional initiatives that may become viable during the year….
The actual Sub-Groups that fall under the direction of M&J and have separate members that the M&J Coordinating Team are:
The HAWG maintains and distributes the Five Cents a Meal and the Hearts for Hunger offerings from the churches and individuals. An application process is mandated for both funds w/ committee having oversight in distribution of funds. In 2009 the congregations within the POC gave $240,082.00 for Five Cents a Meal and funds were distributed to approximately 55 agencies throughout our Presbytery bounds. OGHS also comes under this group encouraging our churches to take part in this PCUSA offering and receiving funding back during the year from this fund for local ministries – SDOP, Hunger and Disaster. We plan to host another Stop Hunger Now event as a post-Presbytery workshop later this year.
SDOP is a program area of the PCUSA receiving funding from the OGHS Offering to provide grants that empower individuals for self-development – empowering the person, their families and others like them. This group meets to educate our churches and our community about the PCUSA SDOP program and of funding available thru national and local levels. This group accepts proposals from our community for SDOP local funding – having site visits and conversation on approval of this fund – local SDOP monies come from a portion of what the POC and its churches submit from the OGHS each year. We also endorse national SDOP applications if committee approves.
There are six sub-teams under the direction of the GNM/Disaster Response Team-
1) Initial Response Team that determines the POC’s involvement after a
disaster occurs;
2) Pastoral Care Response Team that responds either with pastoral care for victims and caregivers as well as training throughout the year for leadership in our Presbytery on how to respond in disaster situations. The Pastoral Care Response Team has hosted several and will continue to host Lunch and Learns in an effort to reach those affected by the economic crisis – un/underemployed to provide life skills in how to cope emotionally;
3) Community Resource Team works to collate information about churches and individuals that are willing to be ready to help w/ facility and volunteer after a disaster occurs;
4) Transport and Emergency Equipment Team includes 3 tractor trailers used for collection and transporting of items during the year, the Disaster Shower Trailer available to churches to use w/ Room in the Inn and other ministries as well as available to go to disaster areas equipped with showers, commodes and washer/dryer, the Rotary Medical trailer almost complete - funded by the Kannapolis Rotary Club to provide emergency medical assistance as needed in times of disaster as well as other needs, and the Tool Trailer available to mission teams within our churches full of tools needed at worksites;
5) The Outreach Team that takes on the PR portion of this ministry,
6) The Global/National Missions Team provides opportunity and sharing of information to and from our churches to be inclusive in mission trips either ones planned by churches or the POC.
Approximately $132,000 and a semi-truck load of Haiti Relief kits and
supplies from collection sites throughout our Presbytery has been donated to Haiti Relief thus far – following the earthquake in January, 2010 with contributions going to provide relief thru:
· OFCB Ministries (a ministry that First PC, Charlotte and South Mecklenburg PC are involved in the Bayonnais and Gonaives area of Haiti);
· Haiti Outreach ministries – an arm under Outreach Foundation providing support and rebuilding efforts for folks in the Cite Soleil area of Haiti just outside Port au Prince.
Haitian Heritage & Friends of Haiti - a local organization providing outreach to the Haitian community locally and relief to those in Haiti after the earthquake disaster.
· New Life Missions International – Missionaries Rick and Debbie Hutchinson working thru Huntersville PC in Quartier Morin, Haiti.
· Double Harvest Hospital (where two members of our Disaster Team worked two weeks after the earthquake w/ medical teams from around the country).
· ISOH/IMPACT – International Services of Hope/IMPACT – an agency in Ohio we have partnered with previously that provides support to Haiti victims and Double Harvest Hospital.
This group will encompass training and resources for Alzheimer’s Ministries; Parish Nurses; Legal/Elder Care issues; Mental Health/Counseling resources; Kairos Prison Ministry, among others. We have hosted a workshop provided by an Elder Attorney to give folks choices knowing how to plan wisely in caring for a loved one; and events to celebrate caregivers of and those with Alzheimer’s Disease.The team is also planning several wellness workshops for women. A Mobile Mammography unit will be secured to provide mammograms for those in our three Latino Ministry areas.
The Mission & Justice program area of the Presbytery stays busy changing as our congregations' needs change, incorporating program and resources with input from the members of the Presbytery of Charlotte. Katrina and Haiti Relief is a prime example of how the M&J responds to mission outreach where our congregations want to be involved.