Congregational Resources for Advent and more from NCP
- In 2008, the New Community Project, a Brethren-related nonprofit organization, is offering five Learning Tours. The trips welcome all ages to learn about troubled areas of our world and build relationships with our neighbors and with God's creation. Offerings in the coming year: Nepal (Jan. 5-15: poverty, women's empowerment), the Ecuadorian Amazon (May 18-29: explore the rainforest, learn about threats to it), Guatemala (June 15-25: indigenous communities, reforestation efforts, possible church-to-church connections), Honduras (July 19-28: live and work in poor community), Denali National Park, Alaska (August 7-15: wildlife, global warming impacts), and Burma (August 18-27: poverty, repression, visit Christian villages). These can be transformational experiences for participants, and bring hope to our neighbors. See http://newcommunityproject.org/tours.shtml or contact David Radcliff (888-800-2985; ncp@newcommunityproject.org)
- Sustainability specialist Tom Benevento has joined the staff of the New Community to coordinate an Undoing Global Warming initiative and develop a model sustainable living center at his urban homestead in Harrisonburg, VA. A key part of the program is to visit congregations to do energy audits, help them reduce their greenhouse gas emissions--and save money! Contact Tom at 540-433-2363 or see http://newcommunityproject.org/grounds_keepers.shtml
- Holiday Gifts for Sudan This new initiative from the New Community Project offers the chance to give two gifts to the people of Sudan. The first is raising our voice on their behalf by signing a petition to send to President Bush and UN Secretary General Ban-kim Moon calling for urgent attention to the on-going crisis in Darfur (now in its fourth year!). The second gift is a contribution to Project Nimule, an effort sparked by four young adults who spent the summer in Nimule, Sudan last summer through NCP's Solidarity Worker's program. http://newcommunityproject.org/nimule.shtml This effort will raise funds for girls' education, reforestation, malaria prevention, and women's development. NCP provides posters and flyers for the project. Contact NCP at ncp@newcommunityproject.org
- Just in time for heavy kitchen use during the holidays, the New Community Project is offering Glass v Styrofoam in the church kitchen. And the winner (environmentally and economically) is... http://newcommunityproject.org/glass_styrofoam.shtml
- The New Community Project has new worship resources available. See this page http://newcommunityproject.org/creativearts.shtml for The King and I (Christmas night perspectives by King Herod in his palace and a shepherd out in the fields); We Two Kings (two Wise Men??), and A Woman's Place (based on parable of the widow and the judge)
- Seasonal sermon factoids: 1) Per person Christmas expenditures, US: $780; per person annual health care expenditures, sub-Saharan Africa: $15 2) Per pet holiday gifts, US: $25 (Pet Supplies Plus); five months' school for girl in Sudan: $25 3) Jesus as refugee: Mt. 2:13-15; 1 in 14 Honduras lives in the US (economic refugees), estimated 150 million environmental refugees worldwide by 2050 due to global warming (Oxford U. study) 4) Percent US toys made in China: 80; average hourly wage for worker in Chinese toy factory: 18 cents (China Labor Watch)
718 Wilder Street
Elgin, IL 60123
www.newcommunityproject.org
888-800-2985-toll free
847-910-4636-cell
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