For God So Loved the World!

The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the PC (USA) General Assembly, recently reminded our denomination that 2008 marks the fortieth anniversary of the Confession of 1967. He writes, “What a statement that confession was thirty-five years ago to a world in crises, a world in racial divide, a world in great difficulty! The clarion call that the church offered to itself and the world was the message that our fundamental calling is to be agents of God’s reconciliation in the world. We need to claim that vision anew in our time! We need not to forget the difficult issues of justice within the life of our church; but I hope we can all find some fresh ways to join together, and also, lift up the cause of Christ and the commitment to justice that the world needs so much these days.”

As we work through our call together in Outreach Ministry, may we also proclaim a renewal of the church’s first calling – to know that God loves the world and that we are called to be agents in Christ for God’s transformation of this world!

News from Outreach Ministries

Help Save the Neighborhood Service Center for Homeless People

The following letter was sent to all MAPC/St. James Overnight Shelter Ministry participants concerning the recent news that New York City may not renew the East 77 th Street Neighborhood Center for Homeless People contract in June. This drop-in center manages and monitors the shelter guests who participate in our congregation’s shelter ministry. A sample letter to Mayor Bloomberg is attached to this email newsletter for those who wish to advocate their voice to the mayor:

April 15, 2008

Dear MAPC/St. James Shelter Ministry Participants,

Last week the New York City administration announced plans to close the East 77th Street Neighborhood Center for Homeless People, which has been operated by Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter (NCS) since 1989. The Center refers and manages guests for our MAPC/St. James’ Overnight Shelter. Closing the Center would adversely affect and perhaps halt the efforts of our shelter ministry.  Those of us who have worked in congregational shelter ministry know how vital this drop-in center truly is in providing the support and essential services homeless people need to turn their lives around: food, clothing, showers, case management, psychiatric and substance abuse treatment, and medical and vocational services.

The City government plans to close the Center by the end of June. They hope to save money by consolidating services and directing clients to the Grand Central drop-in center.  Both the distance and reputation of the Grand Central facility make it unlikely that many of the guests that now avail themselves of the services on East 77 th Street will go there for help.  This will most likely increase the number of persons seeking direct assistance from our congregations and the street homeless population in our area.  In addition, while the long-term goal of the city is to reduce homelessness by two-thirds within the next few years, housing and homelessness experts do not believe that the current city plan is the way to accomplish the goal – particularly in an economic downturn. 

Urgent action is needed. Leaders from our two congregations, along with the steering committee of East Side Congregations for Housing Justice, will be meeting to develop an appropriate action plan in response to the city which we will report to you.  If you feel called to respond, please print and sign the attached letter, and send it to Mayor Bloomberg. We ask that each of you remain prayerful and alert to further updates and action alerts concerning the future of our overnight shelter ministry. 

In Peace,

Douglas G. Grace
Interim Outreach Ministry Coordinator
Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church

Leeanna Varga
Associate for Mission
St. James’ Church

Local Ministries

Bread for the World Offering of Letters

At a luncheon following worship last Sunday, April 6, members of MAPC heard from the Rev. Carmen Goetschius, MAPC Global Ministry Fellow serving in Zambia, via a YouTube presentation about the hunger and poverty crisis in Africa. The luncheon was sponsored by MAPC’s Outreach Committee to encourage advocacy on the Global Poverty Act currently before the U.S. Congress. Over forty letters were written advocating to legislators for an increase in federal funding for global poverty and hunger related issues. The closing Litany of Dedication for the offering of letters included a prayer to God, “Give us the conviction to answer your call to serve and to speak out for hungry people. We believe that you are moving in our time to end hunger, and we are grateful that you include us as a part of this great liberation.” Thank you to all who participated in this annual Bread for the World event, and thank you to Allison MacEachron for her Word in Action about Bread for the World. You can watch Carmen’s presentation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ7bbq3fuPc.

Help watch the children of our young mothers and fathers while they attend a reading workshop conducted by our Family UniverCity Program. This family literacy program promotes parent-child bonding and school readiness for the child; it also helps develop parents’ employable skills. This program will be held at our Teen Family Service Center in the South Bronx, one block away from the 149th and Grand Concourse subway stop, only 15 minutes from midtown Manhattan. Helpers are needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout April and May.

For more information on these and other opportunities, please contact Marina Meyers at 212-861-4400 ext 212 or mmeyers@inwoodhouse.com.

Donations Needed

Yorkville Common Pantry

YCP has reported having a difficult year so far: they are serving more clients than ever, and food donations have decreased markedly. Please don’t assume someone else will take care of donating food! The next time you head to the grocery store, consider picking up one of the following items for donation: peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, 100% juice boxes, or tea/coffee. These items can be dropped off at the church for pickup. For more information, please call YCP at 917-720-9710 and speak with Gladys at x110. Thanks, everyone!

Inwood House

We are in need of incentives and prizes to provide to the young mothers and fathers who attend our parenting and educational workshops. Incentives might include gift certificates to clothing stores, make-up or toiletries, books, tote bags, movie tickets, Virgin Record gift certificates, tickets to sports events, electronic gift certificates, restaurant gift certificates, Toys “R” Us/Babies “R” Us gift certificates, etc. For more information please contact Marina Meyers at 212-861-4400 ext 212 or at mmeyers@inwoodhouse.com.

Education and Advocacy

Biblical & Theological Perspectives on Speaking Truth to Power

Over the years, leading Presbyterian theologians and leaders have written perspectives concerning the Church and the public square for the Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA). These Biblical and theological perspectives provide background information for advocates on why we, as citizen Christians, address our elected and appointed officials about public issues. If you would like to study more about the Reformed Theological call of both Christian and Citizen, you may locate the articles online at http://www.pcusa.org/washington/theology.htm

Hon. Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg,

As a one of your neighbors on the Upper East Side, I am appealing to you to Save Our Neighborhood Center. The Department of Homeless Services intends to close the Neighborhood Center for Homeless People (NCHP) by June 30. This drop-in center on East 77th Street has been operated by Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter ( NCS) since 1989.

My congregation, Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, refers the homeless men and women who come to us for help to NCHP almost every day. We know that NCHP will provide the support and essential services homeless people need to turn their lives around: food, clothing, showers, case management, psychiatric, substance abuse treatment, medical and vocational services. In addition, NCHP is the critical link in managing the guests who reside at our congregation’s shelter as they transition out of homelessness.

If NCHP were to close, homeless men and women would again be on our streets. Closing NCHP would be a terrible loss for the people it serves and our community.

I urge you to reconsider your decision to close this indispensable community resource and to visit NCHP which is only a few blocks from your home.

Sincerely,