Outreach & Mission       Will Ketner calls for bids at the Goods & Services Auction (supporting the Discretionary Ministry)     We’re a '5 for 5' congregation! 1. Our Church's Wider Mission 2. One Great Hour of Sharing 3. Strenthen the Church 4. Neighbors in Need 5. Veterans of the Cross   March Mission Focus One Great Hour of Sharing  March 14:  Carrying God's message of love and hope to people in more than eighty countries.   - disaster victims quickly receive shelter, food, water, and medical supplies, - local communities develop secure sources of food and clean water - minds and bodies grow stronger with new schools and medical clinics - refugees receive housing and long-term help to construct new lives - women and communities are empowered through micro-credit loans and community development opportunities.   Thanks for sharing life’s Good News through One Great Hour of Sharing!

Haiti - Earthquake Response We’re already there!    Because of past support for CWS Blankets + in 2009 and years past, we’re there.    Because we supported OGHS in 2009 and years before, we're there.    How can we help more?  CWS Blankets+ 2010 (Tools of Hope) continues the effort.  and ...   2. Special gifts will be directed through the United Church of Christ to work with our partners (including Church World Service) to provide more immediate  response.  One Great Hour of Sharing funds are being rushed right now to our Haitian partners to support the initial emergency response.  As damage assessments are made and plans for relief, recovery and rehabilitation are developed, additional support will be shared.  The need is massive. (St. Thomas’ 2010 March Mission Focus will be One Great Hour of Sharing) Make all checks payable to St. Thomas UCC  memo: Blankets+  or memo: "Haiti"

A Journey Home to the Sudan Healing with a New School:  Abraham Majur and Joan Tracy traveled to the Upper Nile, Sudan, April 2009. It was homecoming for Abraham, one of the “Lost Boys,” who fled the country as a child.  They began to build a school for the war torn children who know all too well. "An education is something that no one can ever take away from you”. Through the International Red Cross, Abraham located his mother.  She returned to the village but has not seen her son since he was very young. St. Thomas supported the school building effort with a gift of over $1000.     Outreach Sunday last Sunday each month. Thank you for donations: canned goods (Central PA Food Bank) & women's hygiene items (YWCA Shelter)     We're Recycling ALUMINUM CANS for Habitat for Humanity to build houses that become homes in Harrisburg! 2009 = 63 bags   CELL PHONES & PRINTER INK CARTRIDGES for Bethany Children's Home.(Drop boxes in East Foyer)     Outreach to Community Welcome Bread for new friends Discretionary Ministry:  direct assistance for persons in need. Baskets of Thanks: reaching 10 families in 2008 Christmas Joy Gift Tree: 52 gifts in 2008     Wider church partnerships United Church of Christ Penn Central Conference United Church of Christ Harrisburg Association of the United Church of Christ United Church of Christ Homes Bethany Children's Home, Womelsdorf, PA Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, PA Christian Churches United, Harrisburg, PA Missionary Relationship with   Alison Stendahl, teaching in Istanbul, Turkey     Special support Scouts Supporting Soldiers (Pack 10) Central Pa. Food Bank, Harrisburg, PA YWCA Women's Shelter, Harrisburg, PA Church World Service:  Crop Walk & Tools of Hope