wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] $35,000 goes to community programs

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8564 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

04494
November 5, 2004

$35,000 goes to community programs

Rural ministry grants will help youth, seniors and farmers

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - A Presbyterian Rural Ministry Network task group has awarded
grants totaling $35,000 to 15 community-enrichment projects around the
country.

	The grants went to programs involving young people or the elderly -
farm-related programs - while others were awarded to projects involving
parish nursing or health care.

	"These projects are evidence of the hope offered by rural communities
and churches as they work together to respond to human need," said Diana
Stephen, associate for network support for rural and small church ministries
for the Presbyterian Church (USA). "Even when resources are limited, creative
mission thrives among rural people who are committed to discerning God's call
and witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ."

     The PC(USA)'s Rural Ministry Network is a voluntary association of
people throughout the church involved or interested in rural ministry. The
network chose the grant recipients during a Sept. 28 conference call. The
grant program was created by action of the 1991 General Assembly and has
awarded annual grants since 1992.

     Money is derived from the budget of the Evangelism and Church
Development office of the National Ministries Division.

     The programs receiving grants:

-Marcus Heritage Gateway Park Project, Marcus, WA (Inland Northwest
Presbytery, Synod of Alaska Northwest): $2,000 to support the purchase of
recreational gear to equip a newly refurbished facility that will provide the
region with recreational and cultural opportunities

-Venedocia Community Care Ministries, Venedocia, OH (Maumee Valley
Presbytery, Synod of the Covenant): $500 to purchase equipment and promote
this new program, which will provide fellowship opportunities for senior
citizens and foster relationships between seniors and younger members of the
community

-Session of Hope, Gowrie, IA (North Central Iowa Presbytery, Synod of Lakes
and Prairies): $2,000 to support the initiation of a farm couples support
group sponsored by the Countryside Cooperative Parish and other agencies, and
to provide referral services as required

-Parish Nursing Program, Bathgate, ND (Northern Plains Presbytery, Synod of
Lakes and Prairies): $3,000 to help establish the parish nursing program
through the purchase of office furniture, equipment and materials

-Wee Care, Cooperstown, ND (Northern Plains Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and
Prairies): $3,000 to assist with purchase of supplies and equipment for the
Center, which serves Griggs County in east central North Dakota

-Joy of Music, DeSmet, SD (South Dakota Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and
Prairies): $3,000 to support instructors and the purchase of materials for
the project, which will introduce youth and adults to music instruction

-Marcus Presbyterian Church, Howes, SD (South Dakota Presbytery, Synod of
Lakes and Prairies): $2,000 to support the purchase of equipment, Bible study
materials, Christian education materials, and recreational materials to
enhance the community churches' ability to reach out to ranch families in the
drought-stricken region in western South Dakota

-The Language Cooperative, Wolsey, SD (South Dakota Presbytery, Synod of
Lakes and Prairies): $2,000 to support the purchase of equipment and
materials that will enhance Spanish language classes to be offered to youth
and adults from several rural communities in east central South Dakota

-Buying Food From Family Farms, Elwood, IL (Blackhawk Presbytery, Synod of
Lincoln Trails): $3,000 to support the production of a directory for the
general population that will encourage people to buy directly from farmers in
the area

-Agape House, Middletown, MO (Missouri Union Presbytery, Synod of
Mid-America): $3,000 to support this program, which will provide a safe haven
for families visiting loved ones in the nearby prison facilities of northeast
Missouri

-Social Action to the Martinica Community, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (Northwest
Presbytery, Synod of Puerto Rico): $2,000 to support this community
organization project aimed at bringing together a variety of people and
organizations to improve the physical features of the community and enhance
services

-Asilo Manantial De Amor, Inc., Guanica, Puerto Rico (Southwest Presbytery,
Synod of Puerto Rico): $3,000 to support a meal program for this project,
which reaches out to the elderly

-Seniors Home "Nehemias," Lajas, Puerto Rico (Southwest Presbytery, Synod of
Puerto Rico): $3,000 to support this program and purchase equipment for the
senior citizens home

-Pocano REACH After School Learning Center, Tobyhanna, PA (Lehigh and
Lackawanna presbyteries, Synod of the Trinity): $3,000 to support an
after-school learning center program for latchkey students, where they can
develop positive attitudes toward education, the arts, recreation, their
community and themselves

-Community Alliance to Support Education, Belle, WV (West Virginia
Presbytery, Synod of the Trinity): $500 to support this program, which will
provide tutoring in the areas of reading, language, writing and math.

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