Announcements

A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed. Find an interactive world map with One Great Hour of Sharing recipients here.

One Great Hour of Sharing Helps Day Laborers in Arizona Strive for Fair Wages and Safe Working Conditions

Narciso, Feliciano, and Alberto labored hard on a construction project in the hot Arizona sun for several days. Though the work was demanding, the promise of payday kept these day laborers going. They had cupboards to fill and bills to pay.

But payday presented an unwelcome surprise for these men. They were paid for just one day of work, leaving each of them about $300 short. They felt demoralized and helpless, but they did not have to suffer in silence thanks to the Southside Worker Center in Tucson, a ministry supported by One Great Hour of Sharing gifts.

Several members from Southside Presbyterian Church, which sponsors the worker center, and other advocates went to the job site and protested the treatment that the workers received. The workers were eventually paid through the intervention of the legal clinic at the University of Arizona’s law school.

The center began in 2006 after workers expressed a need for a safe place to connect with employers, says Jimmy Wells, a board member. “It is workers organizing
themselves with the support of the church,” he says. “It really doesn’t work unless the workers take leadership in the center.”

Many workers have had limited opportunities to lead, but thanks to One Great Hour of Sharing gifts, workers have honed the skills necessary to manage the center. Using offering gifts, the Presbyterian Committee on Self-Development of People (SDOP) supported a Leadership Academy.

The Leadership Academy prepares workers to guide the center’s initiatives related to wage theft, fair wages, and safety. Some eventually become members of the worker center’s board.

“The Leadership Academy helps us identify key leaders who form the core of the work we do,” Jimmy says. “Without the support [from One Great Hour of Sharing], I don’t think we would have been able to do that.”

SDOP’s focus is consistent with the center’s ethos: promoting justice and building stronger communities. “I really appreciate that the support is not about charity, about people doing things for other people,” Jimmy explains. “It is much more about how we can create space and opportunity for people in marginalized places.”

Members of Southside Presbyterian are examples of serving the most vulnerable we have been called to stand with and to serve outside the church doors. They have shown the way, but the gifts of Presbyterians to One Great Hour of Sharing people just like us — have helped provide the means. Let us all walk out our doors to repair the
breach created by injustice.

https://www.southsidecentro.org/about-us.html

Please be in prayer for the town of Wetumpka, Alabama which was struck by a tornado on Saturday, January 19. The First Presbyterian Church was one of the buildings that sustained major damage. We will have more information soon on ways that we can help.

Their pastor was quoted as saying:
“Everybody wanted to know where we were going to have church tomorrow,” he said. “I told them ‘What the hell is wrong with you?’ We’re not going to have church tomorrow. We’re going to be church tomorrow.”

A powerful idea, especially in the midst of their loss.

Please join us to shower Emily and Tony Graham with blessings, love and gifts for their little boy expected in March. They are registered at Walmart and Amazon.

Saturday, January 26th

2 PM

Fellowship Hall

The Worship Committee invites you to place a live poinsettia in our Sanctuary in memory or in honor of someone. Please fill out the form and include $10 for each plant.

All orders must be in to the church office by December 11.

Donors may pick up their poinsettias after the December 24th service.