A Rock and a Bridge,

RBCC Monthly Newsletter
Vol. 23 No. 4 - April 3, 2005

IT'S HAPPENING THIS MONTH

People’s Mobilization Rally Day – April 6: From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a rally at the Capitol in Jefferson City to protest cuts to Medicaid.
RBCC Board Meeting – April 13, 7 p.m.: All are welcome,
Memorial Blvd. Christian Church’s Annual Hike Against Hunger – Sat., April 23, 8 a.m.: If you want to join in this effort for Week of Compassion (either by walking or by making a donation), see Maureen Dickmann for details.
Earth Day Celebration – Sun., April 24: This annual celebration will take place from noon to 7 p.m. in Peace Park and the surrounding streets.
Waste Watchers – Fri., May 6: Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck supper followed by a discussion of how to reduce waste and live more simply.

CELEBRATIONS AND PRAYER CONCERNS

Betty McMillan is in Boone Hospital after suffering a possible stroke on Saturday . . . Winnie Gordon had successful surgery on her neck to remove a squamous cell carcinoma . . . Irene Bullock is thankful for good news from her colonoscopy . . . Please continue to hold Sam and Will, Mildred Livingston’s grandson and wife, in your prayers as she battles a brain tumor . . . John Chelleh is much improved after a recent stay in the hospital . . Congratulations to Suzanne Wetz who won a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University (alma mater of Dan Gibson) . . . Marvin Rogers is convalescing at home after recent hip surgery and is receiving good reports from his physical therapist . . . We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family of Gladys Hammack who died March 16th . . . Congrats to Steve Friesen who has been appointed to an endowed chair in New Testament and Religious Studies at the University of Texas-Austin. He and Janice will be moving this summer. They will be greatly missed . . . Jeff Meissert will be having another eye surgery soon . . .

RBCC was well represented at the March 20th Give War the Boot rally that drew over 400 people - over a dozen RBCC folks waved palms and carried signs.

EASTER SPECIAL OFFERING - Let the Blessings Flow

The total for the Easter offering (so far) is $487. Donations are still being accepted. Please support the general ministries of our denomination!

OUR EMAIL ADDRES

We’re now connected. E-mail Maureen at rbcc@mchsi.com.

OFFERING UPDATE

It takes $6,800 every month (or $1,700 per week) of general offering income to meet our expenses. March offerings averaged $1863.50 per week. Let’s continue this momentum!

SUMMER CAMP UPDATE

Early Bird Registration Due Apr. 15th
If anyone in your family is planning to attend church camp this summer, now is the time to complete your registration form. Fees are discounted for people who register by the early bird deadline. See Letitia DenHartog for forms or more information.
Summer Camp Program Staff Needed
Northeast and Ozark Lakes Areas (NEOLA) Camp Ministry has openings for fulltime program staff. These are paid positions for young adults with a heart for ministry who graduated from high school in 2003 or earlier, serving primarily at The Rickman Center. Dates of employment are May 31 – August 6, including 4 days of pre-camp training, and with a one week break in late June. Individuals with leadership experience in music and group singing, arts & crafts, environmental ed., campcraft, lifeguard training, and other camp skills are encouraged to apply. Job descriptions are available in the Area office, or by calling (573)442-5815.
Camp Counselors Needed
Counselors (particularly females) are needed for the Chi Rho (6th through 8th grades) and CYF (9th through 12th grades) events this summer. Contact (573) 442-5815 to volunteer.

WEEK OF COMPASSION

Wednesday, March 30th

Three months after the massive earthquake and ensuing tsunamis wreaked havoc in some 12 Indian Ocean nations, an 8.7 magnitude aftershock struck just off the coast of Sumatra on Monday. At least 1000 persons have been killed, and hundreds more remain missing. The island of Nias bore the brunt of the destruction. Some 25,000 people have been displaced, and 85% of the buildings in the capital of Gunung Sitoli, including homes, schools, churches and hospitals, have been destroyed.

Members of the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) began responding immediately by sending aid and staff to Nias. Church World Service Indonesia, already implementing a major relief and recovery effort for the ACT network in response to the tsunami, airlifted medicines, tents, a water purification system and other relief aid and equipment, along with two CWS staffers to coordinate efforts and assess needs.

Destroyed bridges, roads and airstrips, along with continuing tremors every few hours, are complicating relief efforts, and this is a citizenry already deeply traumatized by the earlier quake and tsunami.

Week of Compassion anticipates receiving an appeal from CWS in the next few days and will respond accordingly on behalf of the CC(DOC).