HCLC World Outreach
While here at home reaching out to our neighbors, several of our members are far away studying for the ministry or helping others in need in distant parts of the world. Laura Hermanns is a daughter of the congregation and you can read about her adventures here and in her blog. You can also catch up with Laura on her Facebook page and if you’re ever in Rwanda…
Dear Members and Friends of Holy Communion:
The congregation and community of Holy Communion have made me who I am today. You have baptized me, raised me, confirmed me, celebrated my accomplishments, and held me when I’ve cried. I hope you will continue to support me as I embark on this year-long term of service to Rwanda through the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program.
The YAGM program is sending 79 young adults into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. I was drawn to this particular program because of its emphasis on “accompaniment” which is defined as walking together in a solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality. This means we are not traveling to convert anyone, change anyone’s mind, or solve anyone’s problems. We’re travelling to learn about God’s love at work around the world, share our gifts, walk beside, and serve the people of our new communities.
This trip is not only about me and the community I will serve, but also about my sending community (that’s you!). It’s about sharing my experiences to open up new dialogues about what it means to be Brothers and Sisters in Christ. My hope is to share this journey with you through pictures, stories, and conversations. My hope is that my journey might spark conversations about inequality, justice, and faith. I lift up these stories, experiences, and global perspectives as an offering to Holy Communion. I invite you to follow my journey on my blog which I will update throughout the year
Mt. Meru Coffee Project: Support worldwide sustainable farming!
The Mt. Meru coffee project’s MISSION is to develop and grow justice-based relationships, building on fair prices and practices between the Meru coffee growers and coffee consumers.
The Mt. Meru coffee project’s OBJECTIVES are to encourage Economic and Social Justice – empowering the small coffee farmer and the people of the Meru region with the capacity to improve their standard of living.
Economic Justice is achieved when the Project provides producing farmers with a fair price for their high quality coffee. A fair price provides a sustainable farm income and boosts local farm village economies.
Social Justice in achieved when Project generated funds are used to upgrade coffee growing practices, improve processing facilities and equipment, and provide short term micro loan services for the small coffee farmers. A fair price allows the farmer to support their families with dignity, send their children to school, access and pay for health care, and have funds needed to improve agricultural practices.
If you’re interested in supporting sustainable farming, join us for church and purchase some coffee afterward. Doing justice never tasted so good!
Find out more at the Mt. Meru website at: http://www.mtmerucoffee.org
Young Adults in Global Mission assignment in Mexico!
Anneka Barrow, a daughter of our congregation, is spending a year in Mexico as a volunteer for Young Adults in Global Mission. She is working in a migrant shelter which sits just below the tracks of “La Bestia” (The Beast), a train which traverses all of Mexico and is a way for many hopeful migrants to make their way to the border of the United States and Mexico. Read about Anneka’s experiences and her work on her blog, http://www.vayaconanneka.wordpress.com
