Gates Presbyterian Church

Mission


	Mission News Souper Bowl Sunday Bring a dollar and a can of soup to worship on February 5th. The Junior Highs will be collecting the donations which will help feed hungry people in Rochester. The money will be given to St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality and the soup to Cameron Community Ministries. This is a national youth effort. Last year, youth around the country collected 8 million dollars for the fight against hunger. For more information go to www.souperbowl.org School Supplies for Jamaica Sunday School classes are reaching out to help the children in Jamaica. Bring in school supplies to fill the suitcase in your classroom that the Jamaica Mission team will then take to the Basic School in Jamaica. The congregation at-large is welcome to donate also. *Jan 15th through Feb 12th. St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality GPC will be serving lunch at St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality on Saturday Feb 18th. Food donations, cooks and servers are needed. Please sign up on the kiosk. Donations:* Please have donations to the GPC kitchen by Noon on Friday Feb 17th. Cooks: The meal will be prepared on Feb 17th at GPC kitchen at 6:30PM. Servers: Junior High Youth Group members. (meet at GPC at 10AM & return at 3PM) Collection for Aurora House Until Feb 26th, the following items are being collected for Aurora House of Western Monroe County, a comfort care home for the dying providing compassionate palliative care in a loving home like setting in Ogden, NY. Collection boxes have been placed outside the sanctuary. Laundry Detergent (HE preferred), Fabric Softener, Bleach, Keurig K Cups, Zip lock bags (all sizes), Toilet paper, Candles in jars, Ginger ale & cola, Postage stamps, Cookie & quick bread mixes, Tall kitchen garbage bags, Paper Towels, Facial tissues, Room fresheners, X-Long twin size sheets, Store Gift Cards (Tops, Wegman’s, Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-mart, Office Max) Monetary donations (check payable Aurora House of WMC) can be given to Nancy Bodhorn Mystery Night Guatamala Partners Group presents Chicago Capers Sat. March 17th 6:30PM GPC Fellowship Hall Supports our mission work in Guatamala. $10 includes mystery, hors d’oeuvres,cookies and fellowship. Contact Tom Ward 889-5932 to reserve tickets. Refer to February Harbinger for more information. Lenten Mission Opportunities Wall of Food - We are building a wall of food that will be donated to Southwest Ecumenical Ministries (SWEM) after Easter. Watch the wall of non-perishable food items grow starting on Ash Wednesday (Feb 22nd) and continuing through Easter Sunday, April 8th.(Suggestions: Canned soups, vegetables, fruits & meat, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, pasta, powdered milk) One Great Hour of Sharing - Children and Adult donations will be collected on Palm Sunday, April 1st. Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Bottle and Can Drive Support Jamaica Mission Team with the continuing contribution of bottles and cans

Mission at GPC

Jamaica Ministries

Since 2001, the congregation has been in partnership with the Negril Charge of the United Church of Jamaica which is composed of Green Island, Negril and Santoy United Churches. GPC has provided financial help to address the needs of these communities. The Negril charge has hosted annual work teams of GPC High School seniors since 2001 and one Young Adult team to do construction and maintenance tasks. In 2007, the congregation committed to a significant contribution of funds and people power to build a new basic school in Green Island. The High School Seniors work teams will work on this project, as well as adult teams starting in 2010.

Guatemala Ministries

The Guatemalan Partners Group discusses issues surrounding Central America, supports an ongoing relationship with the village of Panacal, Guatemala, and plans trips to Guatemala. The congregation has funded a Cow Project in the village. Cows were purchased so that the villagers had a milk source. In subsequent years, the cows have multiplied giving the village both milk and meat options.

The congregation also supports the Randall Shea Ministry, which develops educational opportunities in Guatemala, through monetary donations and administrative services. Randall is a native of Greece, NY.

St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality

Volunteers prepare and serve lunch four times a year to the homeless. Meals are cooked at GPC on the Friday evening prior to the Saturday on which they are served.
St. Joseph’s is located at 402 South Avenue. It has provided food, clothing, shelter and spiritual-centered care to its guests since 1935. For more information goto: www.saintjoeshouse.org.

Southwest Ecumenical Ministries (SWEM)

A Lenten Wall of Food (Canned and boxed foods) is collected in the Narthex and donated to SWEM.

Christmas Dinners are packaged and donated by members of the congregation to SWEM in December.

Youth Summer Work Projects

During a week in late July or early August, Junior High Youth (entering 7th and 8th grade) provide assistance during datetime activities at Rochester area organizations that help people in need.

During a week in August, Senior High Youth (entering 9th thru 12th grade) are involved in construction, rehab, and service projects away from home in the Northeast United States. Experiences alternate between urban and rural environments.

Cameron Street Ministries

The Congregation provides Christmas gifts to the children in the Cameron Street Ministries programs.

Teddy Bear Project

A winter project in collaboration with St. John’s Meadows –
Teddy Bears are dressed and given to kindergarten children in two Rochester City Schools along with a book and a knit winter hat. Over 120 teddy bears have been given each year.