Christiane's Contemplations

Solstice Party Dec. 21 6:30PM
Kerry and Denise invite you all to their annual Winter Solstice party.  The party starts at 6:30PM and goes to about 9:30PM.  Feel free to bring snacks and drinks.  This is an all adult party and no one under 21, please. 

We will have a variety of food and drink here to include 5th Element Brewery samples.  We will also have sodas for those that would prefer that.  At about 8:00 PM we will start the pyre and send wishes to the Solstice Goddess or God or whatever it is. 

Please RSVP to Kerry Hales.  Email and phone are in the directory.

Report from Jay Jenkins on Border Patrol Crossing Vigil 12/07-12/08, 2014 on Arivaca Rd
REPORT

Each cross represents one confirmed death of a migrant in the Sonora desert.

Donations for No More Deaths

If anyone wants to donate clothing or socks for the migrants, please leave them in the office in the box labeled "Migrant Donations".  Jay will see that they are delivered.   Items needed are socks, sweaters, warm gloves, sweatshirts and gallon jugs of water.

Years ago, the Rev. Rod Richards started an emergency assistance fund at our church.  By the time I came on board, the fund had specialized and was mostly used to assist those who are homeless.  Just this week, a homeless man came by.  The office volunteer, one of our many new members, was surprised to hear about our EAF program.  Here is a quick summary of what we do: 

Sierra Vista lacks a good program for homeless people who sleep in the desert.  Many of them are in need of basics to survive, especially as it gets colder.  To step into that void, we have teamed up with Big 5 Sporting Goods.  If a person needs a sleeping bag or tent or a pair of shoes, they first go to Big 5, get a voucher for that item, come to us, share their story, and if all checks out, we write a check to Big 5 to pay for the item.  The money limit is usually around $75, depending on the situation, and the time to come by is limited to our Monday and Friday office hours. 

This week's homeless man stated he already had a sleeping bag and pad, but needed shoes and shelter.  He left with a voucher for a low cost tent and solid shoes.  He has good plans for improving his life, and I am glad our congregation could give him a safer place to stay.  Geographically we are, incidentally, quite close to many homeless folks in our new location as quite a few of them camp out behind Walmart. 

While we have at times helped people with other issues, meeting a need that no other church or agency is meeting at this time is a great honor.  I thank all of you who have donated to it, and Terry Zapotocky who has been coordinating it for over 2 years.  I am so grateful we can make a difference where it matters, and potentially save lives.

Gratefully, Rev. Christiane

We have been averaging about 2-3 people per week who seek assistance from us.  Some we can help but others we can't.  For instance, we no longer help those who need rent assistance because $75 doesn't go very far.  They end up being evicted anyway, and the money is just wasted.  We do help with paying for a motel room for 1-2 nights for people needing emergency stays such as stranded travelers, or victims of domestic violence who can't get help elsewhere.  Both the Blue Willow and the Bella Vista give us good rates on rooms and they accept our checks.  We also help with utility bills because $50-$75 can buy a family a couple of weeks of electricity or gas-very important during the cold winter months.  Since there are food banks in both the SV area-Salvation Army + St. Vincent de Paul, and in Bisbee-Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless and places to get free meals-GNA and Salvation Army, we no longer buy groceries for those needing food as those services are available elsewhere.  We try with our EAF to fill in gaps that other non profits don't fill.  Besides buying shoes, socks, tents, sleeping bags, etc. for the homeless, we also buy work shoes and work clothes from Big 5 for low income people.  It's really gratifying to be able to help someone start or continue a job by buying them the shoes and clothes they need to be able to work.  So if someone calls or stops by the office asking for help, tell them to come by on Mondays or Fridays 11-3. Since Christiane may not always be in the office on Mondays, as she may be tied up with meetings or pastoral visits, Fridays are the more sure thing as it's a very very rare time when I'm not in the office on Fridays.  The 2nd collection on 12/28 will be for the EAF.  Thank you for your support of the EAF.
Terry Z