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​MISSION NEWS

6/28/2023

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NEWS FROM THE HOLM FAMILY IN MALAWI
 
I am sharing the highlights of the Summer News Letter from The Holm family who are missionaries in Malawi. A lot of this letter was written by Tyler’s mother, Marian, who is visiting Tyler and his family in Malawi.
 
“This is my fourth visit to Malawi. Tyler’s position at the University of Livingstonia continues, as in all my  previous trips. I am pleased with the philosophy behind Presbyterian mission work. Teaching seminary      students so they can go back to their communities, knowing the local customs and languages and looking like the people they are teaching seems much more productive than older styles of mission work.
 
Each time I have visited Malawi I am struck by what a beautiful country it is. Mzuzu, where Tyler, Rochelle and Mphatso live, is surrounded by beautiful mountains. The area is very green due to rains on this visit. Since this is the southern hemisphere, fall is starting, the opposite of seasons in the United States. The corn that has been planted in various small plots will soon be harvested. The corn will feed families for a year since corn is a staple in Malawi.
 
There are so many things that we in the U.S. take for granted. Besides good roads and finding what is on your grocery list, we usually have electric power. Here power outages are common. On this trip we have been fortunate to have power on the week-ends, but one trip it was out for nearly three days. Last week it was out for twenty hours one day. Tyler and Rochelle are well-prepared, and always have re-charged lanterns on hand.  When the power is out, we have to get creative. Sometimes that is playing a game of cards by lantern light with my granddaughter, Mphatso.
 
At the English-speaking worship service on Sunday morning at 6 a.m. which we attended, almost all worshippers were wearing conservative style western dress, jackets for men and dresses for women. The University is near the church Tyler, Rochelle and Mphatso attend, so the church attracts a lot of young people. The church welcomed 30 visiting students who were attending for the first time!  Not everyone was on time, but the auditorium was full by the time the sermon started. And how blessed we would be if we had 30 university students who were attending for the first time! Men sit on one side of the sanctuary, and women sit on the other side. The church service lasted over two hours. When it was over there was a crowd waiting to attend the next service. The second service will have over 1,000 in attendance with standing room only.  A third service will follow that one. There is a hunger for the Lord that is seldom seen in the U.S.
 
While writing this article, I am looking out at the green hillside with a reddish-brown dirt road going up the hill. I see people walking up and down the road. Maybe I will see some of these same neighbors in church next Sunday. Maybe someday some of these children will grow up to be students at the University of Livingstonia. I am reminded of the verse, “Where does my help come from? It comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2. This reminds me of how grateful I am for the people who have been the Lord’s “hand and feet,” and have prayed and have given financial help so Tyler’s and Rochelle’s work in    Malawi has been able to continue for more than ten years.”
 
We, Tyler and Rochelle, are always thankful when visitors are able to come and witness our work and lives. We are encouraged by their interest, and by all of your prayers and support of our work.

​Thank you, and please continue. Tyler.

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MISSION NEWS

3/30/2023

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Our current mission emphasis is on the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. This offering helps people who experience loss through disasters, both natural and human caused. The Presbyterian Hunger Program provides tools, seeds, and other needed supplies to help people grow their own food, thus easing hunger for many years. Short term food relief is also provided when needed. This year’s readings focus on women who are the main or only support for their families, but many men and children will be helped, also. The Self-Development of People offering portion supplies items such as the sewing machines given to the Dalit women in India so people can earn enough money to support themselves and their families by starting small businesses.  People suffering from various forms of injustice will also be helped .                                                                                                                 
Dalit women in India faced extreme hardship after India’s last tsunami.  A grant given to the Society for National Integration through Rural Development (SNIRD) provided new living quarters and sewing machines to women who had lost their means of support for themselves and their families. Women in Panama were given help to learn to grow their own food and overcome difficulties caused by poverty which were made worse by the pandemic. Workers in tomato fields in Florida and other areas where life is difficult for farm workers have received help to improve working conditions and pay. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering provides help to many people throughout the world.

105 Easter baskets with candy, a stuffed animal and an Easter coloring book will be given to the Concern for Neighbors Food Bank. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible.

Ruth R, Session Mission Elder

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MISSION NEWS

2/23/2023

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Our congregation gave $255 to the Christmas Joy offering which was collected in January this year.  This offering helps retired pastors and other church workers who face critical financial needs and also helps support students of color who attend Presbyterian-related schools.  Margaret K read very meaningfully an article about the importance of the Christmas Joy offering.
“Souper Bowl Sunday” donations scored a “touchdown” for the Concern for Neighbors Food Bank.  The 48 food items and $106 monetary donations will help provide much needed food for hungry people.  
The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be collected on Palm Sunday.  This offering will help provide relief from natural disasters, help feed hungry people, and provide help and assistance to people who are poor and oppressed.
The Concern for Neighbors Food Bank would like 100 Easter Baskets this year.  Though this project is sponsored by the Women’s Association, it takes help from the congregation to fill all the baskets. Donations of baskets, animals and candy will be appreciated.  Cash is also welcome if you prefer to donate that way. We will fill the baskets April 1st at 10 a.m. Anyone who would like to help is welcome to come.  
Ruth R, Mission Elder  
 
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​MISSIONS

11/30/2022

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With the cold weather coming upon us, we need to think of the many people who are homeless, without warm clothing or electricity to keep warm. Giving to the food bank, the traditional volunteer agencies such as Gospel Mission and Salvation Army and other volunteer agencies who help those in need helps save lives and provide comfort to those who need it. So check your coat closets for outgrown coats and sweaters and check your shelves for nonperishable food items that you can give to those who are cold and hungry.
Many new charities have sprung up in the last few years, not all of which are legitimately helping those with the greatest need, so it is important to have our charitable contributions sent through a proven agency. The Presbyterian Mission is monitored and approved by the church and we can be sure any funds raised by them will reach those truly in need and will be much appreciated and used by those on the receiving end.
Margaret S, Mission Elder


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​MISSION NEWS

10/27/2022

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In August our allotment of $2,300 for mission was sent out and divided among 9 recipients. Several thank-you notes have been received in return along with news of how the funds are being used.
 
Our missionary to Sweden, Jan G joined the September Women’s Association meeting via Zoom (special thanks to Linda R for setting up zoom for us). Jan told us of her current activities of taking a class from the book Across the Street and Around the World, which focuses on and helping communicate with newcomers to the country, especially Muslims. The book is in English and is being translated into Swedish. Otherwise, Jan is continuing her duties of assisting the minister of a church and helping individual families learn about Christianity.
 
Our next Special Offering is Christmas Joy which will be collected in November and December. These gifts make it possible for students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. Fifty percent of our gifts provide assistance for current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs. “If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.”
 
Margaret S, Mission Elder

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Missions News

4/28/2022

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On March 2, the One Great Hour of Sharing campaign began.  This is one of the Special Offerings sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  in support of ministries of  compassion, justice, hunger, education, peacemaking, and global witness.  Funds raised during the season of Lent are sent to Presbyterian Mission Agency where they are divided with 36% to Presbyterian Hunger Program, 32% to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and 32% to Self-Development of People.

In 2020 the Disaster Assistance  granted $6.5 million as more than 500 grants in the United States and 56 countries.  Of that, $3.5 million was for COVID-19 response.  Find an interactive world map with OGHS    recipients may be seen at pcusa.org/oghsmap.  Also, to find out more about the ongoing work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, go to presbyterianmission.org/pda.

A BIG Thank You to all who contributed either cans of soup or cash to Souperbowl Sunday. On Monday, 24 cans of soup, 3 bags of nonperishable food, and $14 cash was delivered to the Neighbors in Need Food Bank.

Margaret S, Mission Elder
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Mission News

3/1/2022

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On March 2, the One Great Hour of Sharing campaign begins.  This is one of the Special Offerings sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  in support of ministries of compassion, justice, hunger, education, peacemaking, and global witness.  Funds raised during the season of Lent are sent to Presbyterian Mission Agency where they are divided with 36% to Presbyterian Hunger Program, 32% to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and 32% to Self-Development of People.

In 2020 the Disaster Assistance  granted $6.5 million as more than 500 grants in the United States and 56 countries.  Of that, $3.5 million was for COVID-19 response.  Find an interactive world map with OGHS recipients may be seen at pcusa.org/oghsmap.  Also, to find out more about the ongoing work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, go to presbyterianmission.org/pda.

A BIG Thank You to all who contributed either cans of soup or cash to Souperbowl Sunday.  On Monday, 24 cans of soup, 3 bags of nonperishable food, and $14 cash was delivered to the Neighbors in Need Food Bank.

Margaret S, Mission Elder

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MISSION NEWS

1/27/2022

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Thank-You notes were received from several mission recipients, among them was an up-date from World Concern: Thank you for your faithful support through another difficult year. Your gift makes a tremendous difference in vital, life-saving ways:
Providing emergency food for families today and over the long-term. You saved Maria’s grandson! At six months old, he suffered from malnutrition. Sick and listless because the family could not provide the needed nutrition for him, they thought he would die! This is when you stepped in. Because of your generosity, Maria learned to plant and harvest a garden. Chickens you provided gave eggs for food and to sell. Goats you provided gave milk for the family and provided meat for the family and a source of income to buy other necessities. Her grandson is thriving now and so is the family with their goat farm.
Margaret S, Mission Elder


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​MISSION NEWS

12/1/2021

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Support 7 sent a thank you note for our gift of $75 for the critical work our local fire departments do in Snohomish County answering 911 calls. They are grateful to us for our continued support. . They ask for our prayers of protection for  their chaplains and volunteers who work 24/7, as first responders answering victims of trauma in a moment of darkness. They also ask for our prayers for the many hurting hearts in our community, as we are seeing a rise in deaths by suicide and COVID. They provide a high standard of pre-hospital emergency care, entirely through the generosity of donations. For more information or donations, visit their website at: mediconefoundation.org.
 
Pregnancy Resource has provided us with a Christmas family consisting of a mother and 2 children: a boy age 7 and a girl age 9. Pregnancy Resource is a Christian organization that provides counseling, classes, material help and other support to pregnant women and mothers to help them keep their babies and young children. Our church is collecting donations to buy gift cards for this family, with donations due by December 5th. Monetary donations can be sent to the church office in envelopes marked “For Christmas Family.”
 
As food for thought, the latest Mission Report asks us to help eradicate systemic poverty by acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor. In Matthew 25, we are called on to serve with and for “the least important ones” by recognizing Christ’s urgent call to be a church of action, where God’s love, justice and mercy shine forth and are contagious. 
 
Respectfully submitted by Margaret S, Mission elder


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Missions News

8/26/2021

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Quarterly checks were sent out to our mission partners by the session mission committee. We thank all the membership for your faithfulness in continuing your contributions to the church during this long spell of having to meet virtually due to the COVID-19 closure. It is indeed a pleasure to be meeting again at the church and to be seeing most of you on a regular basis.
We have received many Thank-You notes from our mission partners which are on display in the Friendship Hall. Among them is a letter from Tyler and Rochelle Holm giving thanks for our prayers for them and the people of Malawi. They are now living in Richland Washington and have enrolled their daughter Mphatso in the local school while waiting to return to their missionary position in Malawi. They want to continue to be in our prayers and for us to pray for all the people with COVID.
Haiti has received a double whammy in that a severe earthquake hit the island earlier this month, ruining thousands of homes and with thousands of people injured, then the island was hit by Hurricane Grace, dumping a deluge of water on the helpless residents. The US Navy and Air Force have been helping find victims and getting them to medical treatment, but there is a great need for help including food, water, and medical supplies. If you can help the people of Haiti please send a contribution to Presbyterian Disaster Relief-Haiti in care of Edmonds Presbyterian Church.
The mission committee would like to have more members, so please contact me if you have an interest in selecting our mission partners and deciding how to dispense our funds.
 
Margaret S, Mission Elder

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