UPDATE

February 5, 2010

More News From Haiti:
The Church of the Brethren continues to assess the needs in Haiti and form short term and long term plans for assistance. The goal of the Brethren assessment team that visited Haiti was to learn what had happened to the Church of the Brethren churches, pastors, and congregants as a result of the earthquake. There are 6 churches and 4 preaching points in Haiti. All churches were visited and ministered to with prayer, listening to the stories, and distribution of physical aid. Only one death is confirmed among the Brethren, but other persons are still unaccounted for.

Planning for the response continues, but short-term support is in the form of assisting the churches in projects to feed children – 300-400 at one site and 200-250 at a second site. These feeding projects provide hot food to children so that it is known that they get the food and others don’t take it. Other food has been distributed to communities that are supporting the many people who have moved to the rural areas from Port au Prince. In two locations latrines are being built and temporary housing will be erected.

The local churches will distribute Kits of various kinds in appropriate ways to prevent rioting and violence. At this time, the work is being done through the Haitian pastors and churches.

Long-term plans include some home construction and agriculture/water projects.

Further Instructions on Kits:
Yesterday you received information on the Church of the Brethren appeal for Hygiene and Baby Care Kits, Tarps, and Family Household Kits. Further word from Brethren Disaster Services has been received concerning these kits. As part of our response, we are collecting two special items, tarps and a Haiti Family Household Kit developed just for this response. Tarps will be used for temporary housing. Household Kits will be combined with water filters to create a care package that gives families back some independence & dignity. These Household Kits will be expensive, but it is recommended that you not skimp on the quality of the items in the kit. The cooking pot will be used on charcoal so it must be cast aluminum in order to hold up to the high heat. But a good cooking pot will last for years and years. All other items also need to be of good quality.

A video has been made showing the assembly of a Household Kit. Click here to view.

Considering the weight and size of these kits, it is believed a special plan for collections would help the response. A plan is being considered to establish collection points in each district. A truck & trailer could start in Colorado or Kansas and drive along I-70 to meet delivery people from the districts along the route. Hopefully, kits from further north or south could be shuttled to closer collection points until most of the kits trickle toward I-70. The first Brethren collection could be as early as March 1, so please be getting your kits assembled by then if possible. Another collection might happen a few weeks later if quantity would support it. Stand by for further information.

New Resource for Those Collecting Hygiene Kits:
A new "Meditation on the Hygiene Kit" and accompanying PowerPoint slide show are available for use by congregations, Sunday school groups, and others collecting hygiene kits for earthquake survivors in Haiti. The script and slide show are posted at www.brethren.org/HaitiEarthquake . The resource includes a brief reflection on each item in the kit--towel, washcloth, bar of soap, band-aids, comb, nail clipper, and toothbrush, a gallon-size zipped plastic bag--interspersed with scripture. Instructions for making kits are at www.churchworldservice.org/kits . Kits may be sent to the Brethren Service Center, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776. They may also be added to the Brethren pickups along Interstate 70 when it happens.

Tax information for Haiti earthquake donors:
The IRS has released "Ten Facts About Claiming Donations Made to Haiti," which may be helpful for those who have donated to the Brethren relief effort. People who donate to charities providing earthquake relief may be able to claim those donations on their 2009 tax returns, in a special provision made possible by a new law. Donations to the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund for Haiti earthquake qualify for this provision.

Among qualifications to claim donations on 2009 tax returns, the IRS lists the following: donations must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti; must be made after Jan. 11 and before March 1; must be made to qualified charities; and cannot be designated for the benefit of specific individuals or families.

The new law applies only to cash contributions made by text message, check, credit or debit card. Taxpayers must itemize deductions in order to claim donations, and may deduct donations on either the 2009 or 2010 tax return but not both. Contributions to foreign organizations generally are not deductible. Federal law requires taxpayers to keep a record--such as a bank record, cancelled check, or receipt from the charity--of any deductible donations they make showing the name of the organization receiving the donation, date, and amount given.

For more see http://www.irs.gov/ or consult a qualified tax professional. Give to the Church of the Brethren Haiti relief effort at www.brethren.org/HaitiDonations.

News From the Congregations:

St. Joseph has a new member. Jim Ruark came forward on January 3rd on profession of faith and asked for membership and baptism. By show of hands he was accepted. (Pat Dennison)

Things have been quiet at Farrenburg since our celebration in October. We will be having a Brunch following church February 14 th. Another joyful event we would like to mention is that Timmy and Wayne Farrenburg along with their brothers and sisters and their families will be celebrating the 86th birthday of their father Buck at our fellowship hall Saturday February 6th.

Please keep Judy Gail Mitchell and her family in your prayers. She suffered a massive stroke on both sides of her brain a few weeks ago. She was in an intensive care unit at a Cape Girardeau hospital till Wednesday of this week. She is now at a hospital in Sikeston undergoing therapy. She and her family have a very long road ahead of them. Her doctors have stated that she is doing amazingly well considering the massive stroke she had. The miracles of prayer!!

Another member of our church, 91 year young Angerie Hardgrave (mother of the late Hershel Hardgrave) is in much need of your prayers. She is fighting a battle with cancer. She has a very strong faith in God and the power of prayer. She is a very much loved and respected lady of not only the church but also the whole community. Thanks to prayers and hospice she is doing fairly well. (Mike Stokes)

From Marie Froman at Broadwater: We have recently put in a new furnace unit. We are enjoying it and appreciate the generosity of former members, members, friends and neighbors. The Homecoming special offering was used to supplement the cost of this major purchase.

Bro. Gary Marron, Jr. was elected to be our new board chairperson. He has also put in many hours remodeling the basement--plumbing, carpentry work and painting. We really appreciate his service to the church. Gary and wife Jen serve as deacons of our church body and will be our representatives to Annual Conference and District Conference in 2010.

Gary Marron, Sr. and wife Becky have joined our church this year. Becky has been involved in leading worship and assisting with the teaching duties of the adult Sunday school class.

Fern Fowler, Doylene Rathke (Fern's daughter) and Joanne Wellman continue to make quilts and blankets for all different occasions.

This March we hope to host a chicken and dumpling luncheon for the community to help raise funds for those who go to church camp. We will also be helping with the Corned Beef and Cabbage ecumenical event that will be in March. This event helps local service agencies supplement their budgets.

Bro. Harold and Llyis Gass continue to serve our congregation a couple of times a month. We appreciate their counsel, friendship, enthusiasm and hospitality with each visit. We are keeping the doors open and welcome anyone and anytime.

Broadwater partnered with Greenville R-2 Schools, South Iron Elementary, and Clearwater Elementary and Middle School working on the Hygiene Kits for Church World Service. During the month of February we will be collecting items and I will be rounding them up, and taking them to the Office of Caring Ministries in Columbia in early March.

Jerry Day of Deepwater reports that they are sorry to have lost their long time moderator and member Howard Abney to cancer.

Weather permitting the Osceola Congregation is meeting every Sunday. Potluck will be this Sunday (2-7-10), which we all enjoy. We bring food on the second Sunday of every month for the food bank but we are taking a special collection this Sunday (2-7-10) for them. There are so many needy families. We are also praying for the victims in Haiti and will be working on kits. We are happy to have enough children now to have 3 classes. Praise the Lord. (Pauline Eggert)

Pastor Roger Schrock of Cabool is on sabbatical until March 6. He is interviewing a wide variety of persons concerning current attitudes and trends in retirement. He will also spend some time in study about ecological sustainability in grasslands and forests. This sabbatical will include a trip to Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, California and New Mexico. He will also include visits to some family members who live along the way. Carolyn will join him for a week in Oregon.

During this time the Cabool congregation is being served by several of their ordained/licensed persons who not only cover the Sunday services but also the calling and congregational care. Cabool will also hold a Valentine Party on Feb. 13.

Warrensburg Church: Our congregation purchased $500 worth of supplies to make Health Kits this past weekend for Church World Service. We are in the process of working to make our church buildings more energy efficient with the purchase of some new equipment. Because of a good and improved income flow from the congregation, we are meeting this Sunday in a special Forum meeting to adopt a new and expanded budget for 2010. (Jim Tomlonson)

Thank you to all who have sent in news of their congregations. It is really appreciated. If your congregation hasn’t sent anything recently, let’s hear from you soon. Please visit the home page for Upcoming Events

Carolyn Schrock
District Coordinator