ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING:

SEPTEMBER 11^TH FUND

The Missionary Society is collecting One Great Hour of Sharing Funds for the victims and families of terrorist attacks.  We pledge to be sure those funds are distributed either directly through NA Churches in the three areas most affected, or through agencies we are confident will get direct aid to survivors and the victims’ families.  Donations from churches and individuals may be forwarded to:

NACCC
PO Box 1620
Oak Creek, WI 53154

Checks should be made payable to the NACCC and designated for OGHS Sept. 11 Fund. 

Please contact Ruth at the NA Office with questions:  1-800-262-1620 ext. 17

Email:  rmahnke@naccc.org                 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

                        Colossians 3:12

Words of Sympathy from The Christian Mission in the Far East, Philippines:
The whole world was shaken by the terrorist attack that happened in America and the heavy loss that brought so much destruction.  We join the whole world in condemning the perpetrator.

We know what shock and irreparable loss you have suffered and we realize that no words of ours can soften the sorrow.  But we do want to express our deepest sympathy and the hope that the kind wishes from all over the world make your grief just a little easier to bear.  Our prayers abide.

Rev. Jaime Julian

PRAYERS FROM NIGERIA

Dear Friends,
We have been confused and saddened by the breaking news we heard and saw on the terrible, sudden destruction and killings that the evil terrorists have brought upon thousands of Americans in New York and Washington D.C.  Myself, my family with our co-workers were touched and identified ourselves with the American people in this painful attack.

We are praying for the families and relatives of the victims that the Lord will grant them fortitude to bear the loss.  May the Lord strengthen as the struggles for global humans rights, justice, and liberty continue.  Please convey our concern to the members of the Congregational Christian Churches in America.

In His Service,
Solomon & Margaret Oladele and Co-workers
Christ to the Villages Mission, Nigeria

Dear Friends,
Everyone I have spoken to agrees.  The National Association meeting in June was a wonderful gathering.  Personally, I was touched in many ways.  Certainly not the least of these experiences was listening to one of our Congregational missionaries plead with the assembly saying, "Even if you can do nothing else, pray for us.  Find out who we are, find out the names of our families, and pray for

us!"  I left the room burdened to do just that, and I would like to challenge the other churches in the N.A.  to join with us, The First Congregational Church of Norridgewock, Maine, in a cooperative effort to ask God's blessing upon our missionaries around the world. 

During the week of October 8-14, we will be planning some prayer services focused specifically on the many men and women in the mission field.  We are inviting other churches to do the same. Some churches may elect to have a separate prayer services, others may incorporate a litany into their Sunday Services.  It makes no difference, but let us do as we were asked by our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Let us pray for our missionaries.  When the week is over we will get a head count from the participating churches and send that number to our missionaries along with a letter of our support and appreciation for all that they do.   What a wonderful feeling it will give them, to know that hundreds (perhaps thousands) came together in prayer on their behalf.  And who knows what doors might be opened up for our missionaries because of our prayers.  If your church would be interested in participating or you would like more information please call or write. (207-634-5313 or revchad@midmaine.com)

Wishing you all the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rev Chad L. Poland,
First Congregational Church of Norridgewock, Maine  

Please contact Ruth Mahnke at the NACCC office for a directory of Missionary Society National and International sponsored projects:

 1-800-262-1620

Email: rmahnke@naccc.org

THE MAINE SEACOAST MISSION
The Maine Seacoast Mission shows compassion by reaching out to nurture and support life along the Maine coast in many ways.  Staff members in Bar Harbor and along the coast are a presence in the lives of hundreds and sometimes thousands every month.

Last year, the Food Pantry served 1,669 households with 2,538 cartons of food, or 4,579 individuals with 68,685 meals.

During the summer of 2000 the Mexican migrant worker community increased greatly and the Recycle Shop and Food Pantry staff helped them get settled by supplying clothes, beddings, dishes, furniture, and information about the community.

For Christmas 2000, volunteers and donors-in-kind helped make it possible for the Mission’s Christmas Program to distribute donated gifts to more than 3,000 children, nursing home residents, shut-ins, prison inmates and others in island and mainland communities.

The Crisis Ministry Program provided $27,000 of emergency funds for fuel and rent, assistance with eyeglasses, transportation for medical treatments, and a wide range of support to 130 families and individuals in crisis.

In 2000 the 72-foot mission vessel Sunbeam and its four-person crew made over 200 missionary trips to Monhegan, Matinicus, North Haven, Vinalhaven, Swans’s Island, Isle au Haut, Frenchboro, and the Cranberries for worship, fellowship, pastoral care, and special duties such as brining school children and teachers together for the Annual Inter-Island School Event.

“Every dollar given to missions goes to missions”