wfn.org | Curriculum Publishers Donating Portion Catalog Sales to Charity

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

Reply-To: wfn-news list <wfn-news@wfn.org>
20-November-1998 
98382 
 
    Curriculum Publishers Donating Portion 
    of Christmas Catalog Sales to Charity 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-The Curriculum Publishing Program Area (CPPA) of the 
Congregational Ministries Division here has announced that two of its 
departments - Bridge Resources and Witherspoon Press - are giving a portion 
of their Christmas catalog revenue to local and global mission agencies. 
 
    CPPA publisher Donna Blackstock said, "The theme of this catalog, `This 
Christmas, Make a Difference!' directly reflects our commitment to do our 
work as an entity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We genuinely care 
about providing the very best resources and gift ideas while being mindful 
of our overall ministry to the world at large." 
 
    Benefactors of the program include SERRV International, Morris Fork 
Crafts, Presbyterian Border Ministry, several program areas of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the Presbyterian Community Center in 
Louisville, Kentucky. 
 
    "Our partnership with SERRV International, the Presbyterian Community 
Center, Presbyterian Border Ministry, and so many others has been mutually 
beneficial," Blackstock said.   "Their cooperation and support has allowed 
us to nurture and support their very significant ministry in the world." 
 
    Brian Backe, marketing director of SERRV International, a nonprofit 
agency that has for nearly 50 years promoted the social and economic 
progress of people in developing regions of the world by marketing their 
handicrafts, said, "We are deeply grateful to PC(USA) for not only 
including SERRV products in the catalog, but supporting programs like ours 
that provide meaningful income for struggling craftspeople in developing 
regions of the world. 
 
    "This catalog represents a tangible commitment to the Christian 
principles of social justice - not just as an abstract concept but through 
real-life actions. Presbyterians and other people of faith can buy gifts 
from this catalog knowing that the artisans who made these wonderful, 
handmade items were treated with respect and fairness. They can give these 
items as Christmas gifts with the assurance that they are not contributing 
to the exploitation of workers in the developing world. Instead they are 
helping to make social and economic justice a reality for one more person 
and their family." 
 
    Peggy Mudd, a staff member of the Presbyterian Community Center in 
Louisville, said, "When I came to the Presbyterian Community Center six 
months ago, I was struck by how quietly and successfully the Presbyterian 
Community Center has served the families in its area for nearly 100 years. 
 
    "But the world is changing.  In today's world, we must find the 
resources to fully prepare our children to live productive lives in this 
century and the next.  It is our challenge and privilege to provide more 
than food and clothing for these children living in one of the poorest 
neighborhoods in the city of Louisville.  We need to bring awareness to our 
mission.  This cooperative venture with Bridge Resources and Witherspoon 
Press is proving to be a wonderful way to get our word out to the world. 
It's one way of reminding the world that these children belong to all of 
us." 
 
    Copies of the Christmas catalog are obtainable by calling the 
Presbyterian Distribution Service at 1-800-524-2612 and asking for item 
#079910. 
 
(Information for this story furnished by Carissa Herold, CPPA) 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  This note sent by PCUSA NEWS
  to the wfn-news list <wfn-news@wfn.org>.
  Send unsubscribe requests to wfn-news-request@wfn.org