Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-05-26
The Heart of Mission
May 26, 2020
Happy Birthday, Church! Pentecost Sunday is this coming Sunday, May 31, 2020. It is hard to believe the Easter Season is over. I will share the Pentecost Offering minute for mission with you today. After I give the minute for mission, please read the mission updates and announcements. At the very end I have included an updated list of food pantries that are open.
Each year on Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. What we celebrate at Pentecost is God’s pouring out of the Holy Spirit so that people of every identity and language can hear a word of welcome into God’s household.
At Pentecost, we look especially to our young people with whom God has called us to live. The psalmist reminds us of the importance of faith being established during our earliest years, saying, “God from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.” God’s youngest family members need support to build their full potential in both faith and life, and all of us have a role to play. These young ones can teach how the Holy Spirit is moving in our world.
The Pentecost Offering lets us support the development of children, youth and young adults in our community and throughout the country. Forty percent of this offering stays within our community because we want to build the household of God together, in this place. The remainder is sent on to our denomination so that young adults can lay a foundation for their lives through a year of service as part of the Young Adult Volunteer program. At Sunday’s online worship you will be able to give to the Pentecost Offering by mail, or digitally at firstpres.live/giving.
The Pentecost Offering is also used to support ministries with youth, through experiences of worship and formation like the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, which gathers nearly 5,000 young people every three years to learn and grow together (Our congregation send a delegation with the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois last year).
There is also a portion of this Offering that supports the education of every child in this country, through the Educate a Child, Transform the World national initiative. Even when there are no children or young people in the places where we live, there are many, many with us in the household of God.
Our children in Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul and Savoy will benefit from this offering through DREAAM which we have been highlighting the past three weeks in our Heart of Mission Newsletter. During this Pentecost season, let us celebrate the fact that we are building a life of faith and building the household of God with our children, youth and young adults. Through our gifts today, we join with them and with God in building that household together.
And you know what we always say … if we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.
Let us pray, Holy Spirit, breathe on us. Inspire us to give and to grow your household. Thank you for the special place you offer to the youngest members of your family. May our efforts reflect the joy and delight that Jesus showed in welcoming children. Amen.
Peace,
Rachel Matthews, Temporary Mission Coordinator
First Presbyterian Church Champaign
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Go and Serve: We cannot keep the Mission Possible people down! Bill Gamble, and Itch and Sue Jones have been building a handrail for the choir stairs. Those of us who are short in stature (me included!) will be able to hug the wall with confidence when they are finished. I have a few people taking pictures so hopefully we will be able to see the final results in upcoming newsletters! Thank you all!
Prayers for mission coworkers in Indonesia: Prayers for our Muslim neighbors here in Champaign-Urbana but also worldwide as they have just celebrated Eid-al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. We pray that the COVID infection rate does not rise for their communities. To this end Indonesia has been in the news lately since it is the largest Muslim country in the world. We pray for our mission coworkers Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta and her husband Bernie who live and work in Indonesia.
Update on food distribution:
Restoration Urban Ministries (R.U.M.) has been continuing its food pantry through this shelter in place as well as offer virtual worship services on its Facebook page. They operate on a shoestring but have continued their work through this time.
At the end of the newsletter is an updated list of food pantries for the area. Thank you to Bob Kirby and Compassion, Peace and Justice Committee for keeping us updated on food pantry and immigrant concerns.
The NAWC Immigrant Relief Fund:
The New American Welcome Center’s Immigrant Relief Fund provides time-sensitive monetary assistance to local immigrants for one-time expenses. To request assistance, please submit this form, e-mail welcome@universityymca.org, or call 217-417-5897. To make a donation to the fund go to: www.universityymca.org/irf
Jesus is the Way Prison Ministry Fundraiser: THE DATE IS STILL SET FOR: Friday, August 28, 2020 at 6:00pm Since this is our largest fundraiser of each year WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP = TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF OUR MINISTRY. Contact us at info@
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Cuba Partners Network: American Airlines is beginning to book flights to Cuba again for people with special religious visas. However, in a message from Rev. Edelberto Valdes General Secretary from the IPRC Synod, there is concern for the safety so meetings and activities of the churches with more than two persons remain suspended until the last quarter of the year (October, November, December).
We are being encouraged to communicate with our Cuban partners through some of the other various ways possible (WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook, email) and that you share photos (via Facebook), news, reflections, Bible studies and prayer concerns with each other to maintain your connections. Also, we are being encouraged to continue to pray for our Cuban friends and to join the Advocacy efforts to urge the U.S. government to allow humanitarian aid, medical supplies and test kits, currently blocked by the U.S. embargo, into Cuba. Remember, you can read translations of daily devotionals of our Cuban partner church, “Su Voz”. (Ask Rachel Matthews if you are not getting “Su Voz” and want to.) We hope to send to you some ways you may send funds to our church and seminary partners in Cuba soon.
Frontera de Cristo – We have finished the fourth video coffee and conversation with our mission coworkers at Frontera de Cristo. “Peacebuilding Through Education in Communities of Violence” in which Marina Forero, the Director of Frontera de Cristo’s Children’s Enrichment Ministry, and her husband David Barillo discussed the role of education in peacebuilding within communities of violence.
Here is a Facebook link to some of the pictures of their work at the Hope Community Center run by FDC https://www.facebook.com/
These conversations have been enlightening. Also, you might want to note that they are having a special on coffee through the end of this month as we participate in these compassionate conversations. $2 for every 5lbs ordered will go to COVID relief in Agua Prieta in addition to keeping the jobs open at the Café Justo roastery. Email office@fronterderisto.org for a zoom link to these wonderful conversations.
May 28: FDC Board Member Rosie Mendoza and Author Aaron Bobrow-Strain discussing The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez: A Border Story
June 4: 4th Anniversary Celebration of Cafe Justo y Mas
June 11: PCUSA Mission Co-workers Miriam Maldonado and Mark Adams:
Borders as Places of Encounter
A bonus for this week as summer descends upon us: a video link for a recipe for Iced Coffee in the Café Justo shop. https://www.facebook.com/
Friends of PEB
Two videos updating us on what is happening at Presbyterian Education Board Schools in Pakistan. These are fantastic videos to show this country, our friends, teachers and children that we support. The second video is a particularly wonderful Christian witness they give to this country.
1. https://www.facebook.com/
2. https://www.facebook.com/
Let us keep all our mission partners in our prayers, those who are waiting to go back to their place of ministry and those who are able to work where they are. Listen for God’s call to you in their ministry.
Our PC(USA) Mission CoWorkers:
Mark Adams and Miriam Maidonado Escobar (Mexico)
Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta (Indonesia)
Jeff and Christi Boyd (Central Africa)
Jo Ella Holman (Carribean and Cuba)
Bob and Kristi Rice (South Sudan)
Our regional and global mission partners:
Kemmerer Village (and Camp Carew)
Lifeline Pilots
Marion Medical Mission
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Opportunity International
Friends of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan Presbyterian Cuba Partnership
Special Offerings of the PC(USA)
Theological Education Fund
Young Adult Volunteers
Here in Champaign – Urbana:
CU Better Together
CU at Home
CANAAN S.A.F.E. HOUSE
CANTEEN RUN
COURAGE CONNECTION
DREAAM
eMPTY TOMB, INC
FAITH IN ACTION
JESUS IS THE WAY PRISON MINISTRY
THE REFUGEE CENTER
RESTORATION URBAN MINISTRY
SALT & LIGHT
Here at First Presbyterian Church
FPCC Amateur Preachers
FPCC Environmental Committee working with Faith in Place
FPCC Presbyterian Women
FPCC ESL
FPCC Children, Youth and Families
FPCC Mission Possible/Go and Serve
FOOD PANTRIES, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
Please note: In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) some of our partners may cancel distributions temporarily. Please check our COVID-19 Updates and Information page (www.eifoodbank.org/news/) or contact the site directly to find out if they will be having distributions. Some of our agencies are closed on major holidays. Please contact the site directly for holiday distribution hours.
If you’re in need of help, but haven’t visited one of EIF’s partners in the past year, please visit www.eifclient.com to pre-register.
Champaign Church of the Brethren
Call Church Monday-Friday 8am-12pm to schedule appointment
1210 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820
217-356-3852
Serving Champaign County
Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
Lunch served 7 days a week 11am – 12:30pm
116 N First Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Serving Champaign County
Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal
Monday-Friday 9am-10am (until takeout sacks are gone)
208 W University Ave Champaign, IL 61820
217-352-9827
Serving Champaign County
Faith Baptist Church-Champaign
By appointment only – call church to schedule
4601 N. Market Street Champaign, IL 61822
217-367-9918
Serving Champaign-Urbana & surrounding area
Faith UMC Emergency Food Pantry
Open Monday-Wednesday 11am-2pm
1719 S. Prospect Ave, Champaign, IL 61820
217-359-3631
Serving Champaign County
Friends of Champaign County
(located inside Champaign-Urbana Public Health District)
Open Thursday 12pm – 2pm
201 West Kenyon Road Champaign, IL 61820
217-352-7961
Serving Champaign County
Grace Lutheran Church
Open Thursday 10am – 12pm
313 S. Prospect Ave Champaign, IL 61820
217-356-6232
Serving Champaign County
Jubilee Café (located inside Community United Church of Christ)
Serves hot meal Monday’s from 5-6:30pm
805 South 6th, Champaign
All are welcome! https://www.
Restoration Urban Ministries
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10am – 1pm
1213 Parkland Court, Champaign, IL 61821
217-355-2662
Serving Champaign County
Salvation Army Pantry
Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9am – 4pm / Tuesdays 9 am – 5 pm
2212 North Market Street, Champaign, IL 61822
Serving Champaign County
St. Vincent DePaul-Champaign (Inside Holy Cross Church)
Call Church for an appointment
405 W Clark Street Champaign, IL 61820
217-352-8748
Serving Champaign
St. Luke CME Food Pantry
Open 3rd Saturday 10am – 12pm
809 5th Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Serving Champaign County
St. Vincent DePaul-Urbana
Open Monday -Thursdays 4:30pm – 5pm
Inside St. Patrick Parish Center
708 W Main Street, Urbana, IL 61801
Serving Champaign County
Stone Creek Food Pantry – Urbana
Open second & fourth Friday of the month from 10:30am – 1pm
2502 S. Race St, Urbana, IL 61801
Serving Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul and surrounding areas
UniPlace Christian Church
Open Wednesdays 6pm – 7pm (while University classes are in session)
403 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820
217-362-5118
Serving Champaign County
UniPlace Christian Pantry – Open Door
Open Tuesday 10am – 12pm
403 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL 61820
217-362-5118
Serving Champaign County
The Vineyard Food Pantry
Open Wednesdays 10am – 12pm, & 5pm – 6pm
Inside Hope Center
1802 N. Lincoln, Urbana, IL 61801
Serving Champaign County
Windsor Road Christian Church
Open Monday-Thursday 9am – 4:00pm
2501 Windsor Road, Champaign, IL 61822
217-359-2122
Serving Champaign County
Wesley Evening Pantry at Wesley United Methodist Church
Thursdays 5pm – 7pm
Additional hours for Champaign County College Students only: Fridays 1pm – 3pm
1203 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801
Serving Champaign County
Wesley Evening Pantry at Parkland College
Open every Wednesday 1pm – 3pm / 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10am – 12pm
Parkland College “M” Building (room M138 across from the Planetarium; park in the M1 lot)
2400 W. Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL 61821
Serving Champaign County
Foodmobile Schedule
If you plan to attend one of the following distributions, please visit www.eifclient.com to pre-register. Please note, pre-registering does not reserve a spot in line.
Upcoming Foodmobiles will be held on the following dates, times, locations and serving the following areas:
Drive-Through Food Distribution in Normal, IL
Saturday, May 30th from 9:30am – 10:30am
Normal West Community High School
501 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL
Drive-Through Food Distribution in Bement, IL
Saturday, June 6th from 9:30am – 10:30am
Bement High School
201 S. Champaign Street
Enter from Highway 105
https://www.eifoodbank.org/
302 W. Church Street
Champaign, IL 61820
217-356-7238
info@firstpres.church
