So the crowds were asking him, “What then should we do?” John answered them, “The person who has two tunics must share with the person who has none, and the person who has food must do likewise.”
-Luke 3:10-11
On February 18, I was supposed to be responsible for our monthly "mission moment," where we highlight a mission focus for the coming month and invite you to make contributions toward that mission. My focus was to be the still-new Fuel Fund, which is an effort on the part of HPC to help defray heating costs for people in our community during north country winters. In a stroke of life-imitating-poetry, I was unable to do so due to our Sunday gathering being canceled as a result of north country winter weather.
Since establishing the fund at our annual meeting in 2023, we have yet to contribute to anybody's heating bills. We suspect this is due to a combination of people being unaware of the resource, and the irregular nature of this past winter. But if there's one thing I'm confident of after years spent managing assistance funds, it's that there's only a matter of time before people begin to access the resource and, once that happens, reaching the point where aid is going out faster than we can bring funds in.
Bitter cold is inevitable in this part of the world, and the cost of heating only seems to increase over the long term. At some point, there will be people who need assistance in with their heating costs, and we want to be well-positioned to assist them. If you have at any point been grateful for the comfort of a warm home this past winter, I invite you to consider enabling someone else to have that same comfort. Our mission focus for the month of March is the Fuel Fund. Will you help provide warmth to others in the cold days that are sure to come?
Blessings,
Pastor Shea
The next food pantry date for food pick up is Thursday March 28 from 9 to 11 and 1 pm for Food Sense pick up. Future dates for food pick up are Thursday April 25, May 23 and June 20. To qualify for the Hammond food pantry, you must live in the Brier Hill, Chippewa Bay, Hammond, Morristown, or Rossie areas and proof of residency such as a utility bill will be required. If possible bring bags to put your food selections in. We also have boxes and containers available. For questions or information about the Hammond food pantry, contact Jennifer Gardner at 315 528 7303; for Emergency food assistance, contact Diane Ayotte at 315 775 3557. The coordinator for the Food Sense program, is Judy Hayes and she can be contacted at 315 528 9067.
Food Sense is a monthly food buying co-op for anyone who wants to stretch their grocery dollars. For $20.50, the Food Sense program provides a monthly box of staple grocery items at a discounted price. For March, the in person and online order date is Monday March 18. For the March selections and details go to foodsense.foodbankcny.org.
The Hammond food pantry is a not for profit organization and relies heavily on donations from our community. If you wish to donate, you can send a check made out to the Hammond food pantry or to Hammond Presbyterian church with Hammond food pantry on the memo line. Send it to 217 Lawrence Ave., Hammond, NY 13646. Thank you to all who support this important work.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
For 75 years One Great Hour of Sharing has provided an opportunity for our congregation to be a part of the single, largest way Presbyterians come together every year to work for some relief to many people who are in need. It is an example of how many small contributions can add up to make large differences. There are 3 parts to the program: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self Development of People. If you would like to be a part of making a difference, donations can be made through envelopes available at church and put in the collection plate or by credit card online at pcusa.org/give-oghs
Easter Flowers and Memorials
For Easter anyone wishing to remember, and honor departed loved ones, please submit their names by March 24 to Tara or Liz Scarlett. Anyone wishing to donate money toward the purchase of Easter flowers to decorate the church sanctuary, please submit money or checks made out to Hammond Presbyterian church with Easter flowers in the memo to Tara.
Daylight Savings Begins on Sunday, March 10th. Don’t forget to SPRING your clocks FORWARD an hour so you’re not late for Sunday Service.
The annual Per Capita Assessment is based on the membership reported by each church. The 2024 Per Capita fee for our Presbytery has been confirmed at $33.00. Each per capita payment is divided, with $9.80 for General Assembly, $4.10 for the Synod of the Northeast, and $19.10 going to the Presbytery of Northern New York.
Many members of our church have already made their per capita payments. Our Church must pay per capita for each member, whether or not the member pays us. Your contribution helps Hammond Presbyterian Church cover our portion. Per Capita payments can be mailed to the church or dropped in the Offering with “Per Capita” written in the memo line. If you have any questions about Per Capita, please contact Tara in the church office. Thank you!
Copyright © 2024 Hammond Presbyterian Church - All Rights Reserved.