Peace/Justice/Mission (WHAT WE DO)
Micah 6:8 8He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
The basic function of the Peace, Justice, Mission committee is listed as follows:
- To educate the congregation on Peacemaking and Justice concerns
- To select and recommend to Session proper and worthy recipients of funds recommended for Mission Outreach
- To advocate for an active Christian response
Some of the concerns we’ve brought forth and are still concerned with include Human Trafficking, Homelessness, Hunger, the Environment, Disaster Relief, Human Rights, Mass Incarceration, Mental Illness, Violence/Gun Violence, Immigration/Detention Centers, and other issues.
Our committee’s responsibilities include:
- Habitat for Humanity
- International Missions (Just Coffee)
- Agua Fria and Valley View Food Banks
- Detention/Immigration
Benevilla
This is a quote from one of their pamphlets.
Benevilla is the new face of Interfaith Community Care, an evolution which recognizes and celebrates the agencies own evolution since 1981. Benevilla is dedicated to enhancing the lives of Northwest Valley residents by providing care for seniors, adults with disabilities, children, and the families who care for them. Benevilla is a not–for–profit human services agency whose community programs are supported through donations from individuals, congregations, service clubs, and corporations. Thank you for your support.
Yes, Faith Church does support Benevilla. You give $4500 annually, as well as $1000 for the building fund as part of your local mission dollars. The church also provides the Westminster Room every Tuesday morning for the Benevilla Caregivers Group. I was curious about this group, so I attended a session one Tuesday morning and met 14 wonderful men and women who have a family member with dementia, and use “Mary’s Place” as a day-care center for them. The group was led by a Clinical Psychology student who facilitated awareness and self-help exercises. Primary problems were expressed and members shared solutions from their own experiences. One member said: “the first time I set foot on this church campus, I felt God answered my prayer when I met a person who directed me to this group and place”.
The other personal identification I had with Benevilla recently was when Dick and I went out to Bert’s Bistro and Bookstore for Valentine’s Day lunch. We had a delicious meal along with beautiful guitar music provided by an accomplished musician. Bert’s Bistro and Book Store is part of the new intergeneration Benevilla complex, built at 16752 N. Greasewood St. next to Rio Salado College. The restaurant helps support Benevilla.
Emergency Assistance–Salavation Army
Faith Presbyterian Church Mission Committee is discovering the local work of the Salvation Army–Sun Cities/West Valley Corps where staff and volunteers reach out to the eight communities in and around Sun City. Their community and worship center is used to provide seniors with free breakfasts twice a week and those needing emergency services can receive food boxes and rental and utility assistance. The Corps provides children with back to school supplies, clothing and prepares youth to participate in a brass band. A youth ministry program hosts approximately 75 kids for dinner after they have participated in activities and Bible Study. During 2010 The Sun Cities/ West Valley Corps assisted more than 37,000 individuals, thanks to volunteers and a supportive community. We look forward to contributing to their efforts as they demonstrate they are a church that cares with a heart for God and a hand to man.
Services
Utility Assistance – The Salvation Army administers the SHARE program for APS, SRP and SW Gas.
Vision Assistance – Working with the Arizona Optometric Assoc. to assist with the vision USA Program by determining eligibility and making appointments for qualified individuals.
Food Bank – The emergency food bank provides food boxes and frozen food to individual and families. Seniors may attend two free breakfasts each week.
Prescription Medication – Providing prescription discount cards to individuals with no insurance to cover medication.
Programs
Angel Tree Program – Provides Christmas gifts to children in need.
Kettle Programs – Fundraising for Christmas and year-round services.
Back to School Program – Providing children in our community with clothing and school supplies.
Community Care Ministries – Bringing visitation, comfort and the Gospel to those who are homebound or in a rest home.
Inmate Outreach – This ministry/mentoring program is focused on helping the incarcerated transition to life outside.
Faith Mission Committee partners Frontera de Cristo
Frontera de Cristo, a Presbyterian Bi-national Border Ministry, is now celebrating 25 years of service to people on both sides of Arizona’s southern border between Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora. Faith Church has been supporting this mission for many years. This Border Ministry began in 1984 when the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico embarked on a new way of doing mission. These two groups focused not on what one church would do for another, but what God could do through two churches joining together in mission. This concept has, over the years, brought people on both sides of the Border together in worship, fellowship, serving God, and doing justice.
The mission work of this ministry includes such things and actions as building buildings, building relationships, providing direct services to people, promoting economic opportunities, working on reconciliation, and being together in their love of God.
Three years ago, the Mission Committee sponsored a trip to the Presbyterian Border Ministries in Nogales and Agua Prieta. At that time, those traveling to these ministries were able to see first hand how, particularly Frontera de Cristo, mission works for people. The group was welcomed with worship and a shared meal. A year later, we were pleased to have the staff of this important mission come to Faith for a Border Ministry Weekend.
The Mission Committee continues to follow up and support the Frontera de Cristo. They are just one of the “connections” we hold close. We marvel at the accomplishments of the staff from both sides of Arizona’s Border as they continue with God’s work.
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