Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers Program
Hey, Presbytery of Boston!
Have you heard of our goal for August 31? While the BFJYAV Program does need to meet the $15,000 match by the Trustees, our goal is bigger than that—it’s as big as the whole, entire Presbytery:
- By August 31, 2019, to have 100% of PoB congregations pledge at least $1/month for September 2019 – August 2020.
Sounds ridiculously do-able. The kids in your congregation can take care of this financial commitment for you, right?!
Nevertheless, accomplishing this goal would do something amazing, uniting all of us in common cause, in mission and ministry!
That’s huge. Every single congregation is of sacred worth, regardless of its bottom line, and BFJYAV can’t be our ministry without us, all of us. That’s why the financial threshold of our goal is low—to bring everyone to the table! The challenge of this goal is to risk relationship—with the BFJYAV Program, with one another in a new way, and with the Young Adult Volunteers who call Boston home for one formative year of service.
When you pledge, you’ll receive the new monthly BFJYAV e-newsletter with info and invitations. Please, take the plunge, make the pledge, and help us make PoB history by August 31st!
With Faith, Hope, & Love,
The Council of the Presbytery of Boston with the BFJYAV Board & Site Coordinator
You can email your pledge today and also give online. To get children in your congregation involved, click here to read about the "Children's Change for Change" initiative. Clinton Presbyterian and the Korean Church of Boston are among the first churches to commit to the initiative, and all are invited to join them.
Update! August 31 Trustees Fundraising Match
3 new churches have participated since last week, bringing the BFJYAV program from 16% to 29% of its goal of 100% church participation of at least $1 a month, $12 for the year, within the Presbytery of Boston. They also received $200 more in donations and $456 (or $38 per month for 12 months) more in pledges. Now they need only 14 or fewer donors at $38/month to meet the Trustees match and cover rent for the YAVs.
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All congregations are encouraged to join in solidarity on Sept. 8, 2019 for Food Waste Weekend as a symbol of welcome and support for the 2019-2020 Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers.
September 8 also coincides with the date four BFJYAVs will be commissioned in their local churches: Eliot Pres in Lowell (PNNE); Hartford Street Pres in Natick; Fourth Pres in South Boston, and Church of the Covenant in Boston). Rev. Trina Portillo is willing to coordinate a group of clergy to craft a liturgy template for use on Sept. 8, and you can click on the image above for more information about the weekend.
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The honor of your prayers and presence at a celebration of the Presbytery of Boston on Sept. 15, 2019 is cordially requested.
Trusting in God's provision to meet the $15,000 Trustees match that would enable the BFJYAV Program to function this year, we invite you to pray with us through the August 31 donation deadline, and to share with us in celebrating its culmination. More than money, we will be celebrating the arrival of our 2019-2020 BFJYAVs and welcoming them to our Presbytery! Guests will gather at FUPC Cambridge and be treated to small group tours of the BFJYAV house in East Cambridge.
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New! Position Opening: The Presbyterian Church in Sudbury is searching for a Temporary Music Director. More information about the position and instructions for applying can be found on our website here. At that link you will also find other employment opportunities within the Presbytery of Boston and beyond.
6th Big Tent: The theme of this year's event being held August 1-3 in Baltimore, MD is "Called to a Movement Beyond Institution" which will emphasize our hope in the Gospel and its power to challenge institutional conventions. While registration for children and youth is now closed, general registration is still open. Click here for more information and to register.
KCB Short Term Mission trip: From July 27 - August 3, the Korean Church of Boston will commission a short term mission team to New Mexico from July 27 to August 3. They ask for prayers during their mission, which you can learn more about by clicking here to read an article about the trip written by Deacon Haewon Lee.
“May We Forever Stand” 2019 marks 400 years since the first enslaved Africans set foot in Jamestown, Virginia. On September 20, 2019, the Massachusetts Council of Churches will convene a night of worship to honor ancestors, commemorate 400 years of resiliency, and pray for an end to systemic and racial injustice. They are encouraging every denomination to turn out 100 people for the joint ecumenical worship service. More details will be posted as the date approaches.
Prayer Concerns: Please keep Jo-an Bott and Elise Kreiger in your prayers. Elise is Jo-an's life partner and had a mini-stroke in December from which she is still recovering. She has also been diagnosed with uterine cancer and recently received a pacemaker. Cards can be sent to: Elise Krieger 73 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, MA 01606
Please continue to pray for Jennifer Wegter-McNelly and her family. You may send cards to: 1904 Providence Ave., Niskayuna, NY 12309
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Upcoming 2019 Events - Save the Date
More details about events can be found on our website here.
PCUSA's Sixth Big Tent: August 1 - 3 in downtown Baltimore, MD.
New! Food Waste Weekend: September 8, 2019 - a symbol of welcome and support for the 2019-2020 Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers.
New! Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers Open House: September 15, 2019 from 2- 4 pm at First United Presbyterian Church in Cambridge.
Pastor's Canadian Canoe Trip: September 22-30 - a trip about less yet hoping to provide you with more; More God, more peace, and more inspiration.
20th Anniversary of the formation of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa: September 26 – September 30, 2019 in Port Elizabeth, SA.
Stewardship Kaleidoscope: September 30 - October 2, 2019 in San Diego, CA. Registration will open in April.
Presbyterian Women Synod of The Northeast Fall Gathering: October 18 - 19 at Stony Point Conference Center (NY).
Cindy's Travel as Co-Moderator
July 25-27: Massanetta Springs Bible and Church Music Conference, VA, preaching and leading a workshop
July 30-Aug 5: Baltimore, Big Tent and Mid Council Consultation, co-leading the wrap up plenary
Aug 6-9: Stony Point, NY, Presbyterians for Earth Care Conference, leading a workshop
Aug 16-18: Homestead and Missouri River Valley Presbyteries joint meeting, Iowa, preaching at the meeting, leading a Q&A, preaching at a local church on Sunday
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