A Rock and a Bridge,

RBCC Monthly Newsletter
Vol. 24 No. 2 - February 5, 2006
Page 2

WEEK OF COMPASSION

See what your WOC gifts can around the world:

• mosquito net: $10
• water pump: $80
• sewing machine: $250
• rake/shovel: $11
• pushcar\wheelbarrow: $31
• 50 kg. rice seed: $20
• 100 kg. bean seeds: $20
• bee hive: $20
• wire chicken coop, batch of chicks: $75
• rabbit hutch, two rabbits: $50
• goat pair: $178
• cow: $200
• water pump: $80
• bicycle with water mount on back fender: $120
• fishing nets and 500 fish fingerlings: $150
• family-sized tent for disaster survivors: $175
• landmine protective vest, visor, mine probe: $450
• average cost of an entire well for village: $3,700
• tractor, seeds and farming tools: $10,000

We will be collecting our special WOC offering on Feb. 19th and 26th. This money is used throughout the year to help people and places that are victims of tragedy or disaster. The above table shows how our offering might be used. The story below puts a “face” on another way WOC dollars help.

Harvest of Hope
“We can do about anything we want,” smiles Mama Fineza Cacessela, member of a garden cooperative in northern Angola.

Some 400 families in three villages of northern Angola are allowing themselves to dream of a better future — many for the first time in years. These villages are coming back from 30 years of civil war. Only recently have the families returned home from their forced displacement. Today, secure in a country at peace, they are rebuilding their community — and their lives — aided by seeds, tools and technical assistance made available from Church World Service. Small steps like the garden cooperative are a big beginning.

“We can rehabilitate our homes. Many need new roofs. Or we can pay a teacher who can help us women to continue to learn,” says Engracia Antonio, one of the cooperative leaders from Cassona Gasonga. Virgina Jorge, another leader from Cassona Gasonga, adds, “We can help the elderly or the sick in the village. We can even start a pharmacy.” Maria Tito, a cooperative member from Negage-Kisseque, says, “We can buy a grinding mill to save our backs from the hard work of pounding cassava and to fetch a higher price in the market by selling flour instead of cassava roots.”

Your gifts to Week of Compassion help make such programs possible.

Source: Church World Service

FINANCIAL NOTES

A recap of the general operating fund for 2005 follows:

Income: $65,693
Expenses: $67,290
Deficit: $1,598

We weren’t able to eliminate our deficit for the year, however given that we had to pay an insurance premium of $1,760 in December, the bottom line wasn’t nearly as red as it could have been.

Please note that the income figure shown above does not include the 25% of every general operating dollar that goes to Disciples and local outreach. In 2005, RBCC contributed over $25,000 (counting both the 25% of general funds plus special offerings) to these missions.

WASTE WATCHERS UPDATE

Waste Watchers joined folks from the Unitarian Universalist church Friday, Feb. 3rd (they have a similar group that meets the first Friday of each month to view “Movies with a Message”) for the airing of The End of Suburbia followed by group discussion. The film dealt with the impact of dwindling oil supplies on the current American way of life. Waste Watchers will join the Lenten video series in March and April and will return to its regular Friday evening meetings in May.

CHURCH CAMP SCHEDULE

The Northeast and Ozark Lakes Area Christian Churches have announced the 2006 camp schedule. There are camping events for youth from second grade through high school as well as a family camp. Camp events include those at the Rickman Center as well as canoe and backpacking trips (for 6th through 12th graders).

RBCC will provide assistance with registration fees for youth interested in attending. Early bird discounted registration is due April 15th. See Ann Robinson or Letitia DenHartog for forms or more information.

LENTEN VIDEO SERIES RETURNS

On Friday night, March 3, we will begin our Lenten Video Series. Our format is to gather for a meal each Friday at 6:30, watch a movie together, and have a brief discussion following. The discussion will then continue on Sunday morning, including a viewing of a short clip of the Friday night movie. Larry Brown welcomes any suggestions for a theme for this year; two suggestions have been offered thus far: Jesus, as portrayed at the movies; and films dealing with disabilities.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

CHILDREN: Sunday Explorations (all ages) meets each Sunday morning at 9:45.
ADULTS: will continue the study of "Thermostat" with the specific topic of terrorism.
TEENS: will join the adult class for the video clips, but may have a separate discussion.

NORTHEAST AREA LOOKING FOR “A FEW GOOD FOLKS”

The NE Area nominating committee is looking for candidates to fill officer and department chair positions for the 2007-2008 biennium. The NE Area is comprised of congregations in the northeast part of the state. The openings are:

If you would like to volunteer, or if you want to nominate someone, please contact Rich Bright as soon as possible.