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CHURCH & COMMUNITY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT - 2006
Members: Phyllis Anderson, Bill Ewing, Kenneth Sheerin, Velma Teichert, Lori Scarlotos, Mary Lou Dorsett, Ted Germans, Ellen Klug, Bruce Wallin, Lois Netter, Grace Simonette and Chris Veech
Co-Chairpersons: Grace Simonette and Chris Veech
The work of the committee continues to focus on our Christian Peacemaking vision through outreach efforts within the congregation and the world beyond.
Within the congregation, the committee is an active participant in Preparing the Presence. This year we highlighted the Peacemaking theme with a table devoted to making origami cranes that were hung on the Christmas tree in the Parish Hall. Fair Trade coffee and chocolate made by farming families in South America was made available for purchase. Church and Community also had a table for Fair Exchange toffee and chocolate at the PW sale in November.
The committee support the annual Peacemaking Offering, this year designating 25% of it to a local peacemaking project, the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
On December 10th, we sponsored an Amnesty International letter writing project between services, had a soup supper in February celebrating education of the Dalit children in Christian schools in Etah, India. We sold tea lights made by Sunday School student s and congregation members, and raised $1,710 for their school, which is affiliated with the Church of North India. We also made available information on the Opt out program for parents of high school students who are being targeted by military recruiters without their permission.
We remain a covenant Congregation with Bread for the World, with an annual letter writing campaign and a Bread for Bread sale, which provides our annual contribution. Charlotte Cheatham provides supports and acts as liaison for our work with BFW.
Oxfam was supported this year through the donations at the Thanksgiving service. We also worked with the Adult Ed Committee Book Club to come up with titles by black authors to be held in February 2007, Black History Month.