April Crossroads

Lent Event – Preparing Health Kits

On April 3, immediately following worship, the CE committee will be hosting our 2011 program marking the season of Lent. A light lunch will be served followed by the putting together of health kits. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is badly in need of health kits.

In a ONE-GALLON PLASTIC ZIP LOCK BAG we will be placing the following items that you will have purchased:

1 hand towel (approx. 16” x 28”)
1 washcloth
1 wide-tooth comb (remove from package)
1 nail clipper (remove from package)
1 bar of bath size soap in wrapper
1 toothbrush
6 Band-Aids or other adhesive strips

Toothpaste will be added to the kits just prior to shipment.

Concerns for Japan

Interfaith Prayers in Burlington – Local clergy are planning interfaith prayers for Saturday, April 9, 6:00 p.m. at St. Malachy’s Church. A meal may follow. Listen for more info.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance – Your donation may be made anytime – make checks payable to The Presbyterian Church memo’d “Japan Earthquake”. Watch Stewardship bulletin board for update.

Deacons Corner

On April 3rd, we’ll be collecting food for the Burlington Food Pantry. This month, we’re collecting canned meats, soup and stew. Thank you to everyone who donated fruit in March.

April 10th is the last day to order Easter flowers. If you would like to place an order, please see either Trish Briggs or Kim Oey-Rosenthal.

One Great Hour of Sharing

The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People has approved grants totaling $261,255 for 14 self-help projects in the United States. One of the grants, $20,000, was awarded to Reflect and Strengthen which is located in Dorchester, MA. This group is a collection of young working-class women from Boston urban neighborhoods. The women work together to develop ways to improve their individual situations.

The money for these grants comes from One Great Hour of Sharing (OGH) funds. Self-Development of People receives 32% of the undesignated funds from the OGH offering. On the first Sunday of Lent, March 13, the children will receive the traditional fish banks. There will be bulletin inserts and Minutes for Mission during Lent to provide more information. The offering will be received on Palm Sunday, April 17.

Healthy Women Healthy Families
Mother’s Day Project

Mother’s Day cards will be available to support this program. The program began as a malaria prevention project in Africa. It has now been expanded to include health screenings and immunizations for children, prenatal and obstetrical care, children’s nutrition programs, fistula surgery, primary care for children, cervical cancer screening and family health education. See Beth Denier for cards.

Join us for M.A.T.E.!
July 17 – July 22

Plans are underway for our housing work week in central Maine. Would you like to be part of this year’s volunteer team to rehab homes of rural elderly and families in need? Our week will be July 17 – July 22. Experience welcome but not necessary. We stay in a dorm at the University of Maine in Farmington. Coming for part of the week is possible. We have wonderful fellowship with folks who go from other churches, and those at whose homes we work.

Youth and adults welcome!

Cook(s) especially need!

See Rod if interested, or for more details.

Attention: Burlington Residents
Election Day Food Drive for the Burlington Food Pantry

People Helping People will host an Election Day food drive on Saturday, April 9 at Burlington High School to benefit the Burlington Food Pantry. Voters are asked to bring unopened packages of non-perishable foods that have not passed their expiration date. Items especially needed include canned peas and green beans, pasta, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, and canned pasta or stew (Dinty Moore, Chef Boyardee, etc.). Donations of cash and checks will also be accepted. Please make checks out to People Helping People.

Part of Burlington’s all-volunteer People Helping People emergency assistance organization, the Burlington Food Pantry distributes food to over 130 needy families in town every month. For more information, visit peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org or “friend” People Helping People on Facebook.