The following are news and notes of interest to the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church community. Times and locations of events listed here are subject to change without notice. Please contact the church office at 301-270-5550 or office@takomaparkpc.org for more information and confirmation.
An archive of past articles is also available on this site.
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On Sunday, May 18, TPPC will be blessed with a visit from Rev. Clifford Canku, the director of Dakota studies at the community college of South Dakota's Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Nation. Reverand Canku, who teaches Dakota language and culture, will be preaching during that morning's service.
Reverand Canku is, at 70 years old, the most eminent, fluent Dakota-speaking educator on the 10,000 member, 400-square mile reservation. A traditional sun dancer, drummer, singer, and storyteller, he has prepared many people for vision quests and conducts a sweat lodge on the reservation. The Minnesota Historical Society has videotaped some of the hundreds of traditional stories and songs of this living cultural treasure.
Recently South Dakota Public Broadcasting produced two films that prominently feature interviews with Clifford. One of the films, Oceti Sakowin: People of the Seven Council Fires, will be screened at 9:30 a.m., on Sunday, May 11, during adult Sunday school. The following Sunday, May 18, Reverand Canku will discuss the film during adult Sunday school, prior to preaching in the sanctuary at the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
These activities are part of an effort to explore developing a relationship between TPPC and the Lake Traverse Dakota Presbyterian Church, where Reverend Canku is pastor.
On Monday, May 19, the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore will confer an honorary doctorate on Reverand Canku, who is to be the commencement speaker.
TPPC had a booth for the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition at the Alternative Gift Fair that we hosted last December.
We just received $1,465 to pass on to SSIHC for school supplies for children who are homeless or in transitional housing, and household supply move-in kits for families starting out in a new home.
Of 16 nonprofits, we had the 4th highest gift total! And we weren't all that far behind the front runner - landmine detecting rats (pretty hard to beat.) Thanks to all who worked with me on set up, displays, staffing the booth.
Also, United Campus Ministries, a new TPPC SWAC mission, had a dinner and worship for University of Maryland students in March.
Cloverly Street Dream Dinners will donate an entrée to SSIHC when you purchase their Dream Dinners. Go to www.dreamdinners.com, then follow the locations icon to Maryland, then to Silver Spring Cloverly Street. Under the address you will see the link to "book a session". You will be directed to "select dinners and session" during the check out process there will be a place for "special notes". Please type in SSIHC, our families will benefit from your purchase. Thank you.
This is a wonderful opportunity for ministry and service exists for one or two TPPC members. Our Board seat on the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition is empty. If you are deeply concerned about homelessness and its underlying causes and seek a way to actively live out your faith in social action, you are needed. Being on the SSIHC Board is not just attending meetings but lending your commitment and energy to guiding and insuring the continued vitality of this important organization.
Please contact the Social Witness and Action Committee at swac@takomaparkpc.org if you are interested.
The Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition is an important social witness of TPPC with a track record of dedicated ministry by TTPC members. SSIHC brings together local religious congregations and community based organizations to work together to help end homelessness by creating affordable housing opportunities for low and very low income families and individuals. In addition to housing SSIHC provides case management, mentoring and life skills training and other asset-building opportunities.
As a member organization TPPC provides financial assistance but even more importantly, participates through Board membership in governing and sustaining SSIHC. Ferd Hoefner helped to found the organization, and has served faithfully as Board member and chair for many years, at times joined by other TPPC members. Over the years TPPC has had mentor teams to assist families moving into SSIHC housing, most recently for a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina. We have joined work teams to clean, paint and furnish housing.
Each Presbyterian church is asked annually to pay an amount per member, which is called per capita. This money goes towards the programs of the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.
This year, the per capita amount is $30. We ask that those who are able to pay their per capita - make sure you specifically designate it on your check or envelope. If you would like to pay per capita for more than yourself, we welcome that as well. The church pays the full amount assessed to us, no matter how much is given by the actual members, so please make sure to designate $30 for per capita this year.
Rachel Norton, a Sunday School teacher at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, has been accepted into the Young Adult Volunteer Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to work with children in the Ukraine. A recent letter from her can be accessed from this website.
Ms. Norton described the work she will be doing in the June/July 2006 issue of Church Life, TPPC's newsletter:
I will be traveling to the Ukraine to spend a year teaching elementary school to Roma children in Hungarian.
(When I arrive in the Ukraine, I will take an intensive course in the language.)
I may also develop an after school program, since often there is only enough money for half day schools.
The Roma (sometimes called "gypsies") are an economically and socially marginalized ethnic group.
The United Nations Development Program published alarming statistics about the living conditions of the
Roma minority in Eastern Europe:
"One out of every six Roma is 'constantly starving.'"
"One out of every three Roma last had a formal job in 1990."
"More than half the Roma interviewed said they went hungry at least a few days every year."
My tasks as a Young Adult Volunteer will be to encourage Roma children to stay in school as long as possible,
thereby increasing their chances for future employment and reducing their chances of starting families at extremely young ages.
I will also bear witness to the humanity of the Roma people to my Ukrainian neighbors.
In order to carry out this mission, the Presbyterian Church has asked me to take
a vow of poverty for my year as Young Adult Volunteer.
I will receive a small amount to pay for food and housing;
and a little travel money to visit other volunteers working with the Roma in neighboring areas.
Due to the funding cuts and reorganization at the PC(USA), I've just now received the information about fundraising.
All YAVs are asked to raise $10,000 for the program, although not all meet that goal.
I do have to collect pledges equal to $2500 by the end of August, when I go to Chicago for training.
My last Sunday at TPPC will be July 23, when I'll leave for Rochester to spend a few weeks with my family before the program starts.
I am very excited about this opportunity, and will be certain to keep TPPC updated about my adventures through the upcoming year!
Note that the cover article in the June/July issue of Presbyterians Today is about the Young Adult Volunteer Program.
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