Central's benevolence gifts bring hope, joy and action
January 30, 2010
The decision by the congregation of Central Lutheran Church last Sunday to give away $70,000 to causes outside our congregation is already bringing joy and hope to its recipients. By a unanimous vote, the remaining benevolence funds of the now-completed Forward in Faith campaign—ten percent of the total received—were given in support of Jordan New Life Community Church ($35,000), the Currie Avenue Partnership ($20,000), Community Emergency Services ($10,000) and Camp Noah, a program of Lutheran Social Services ($5,000).
The funds for Jordan New Life, a multicultural congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in north Minneapolis, will completely pay its mortgage, freeing up monthly funds for for its ministries and direct services.
“We are eternally grateful for your wonderful gift to us at Jordan New Life,” said the Rev. Terrance Jacob. “Central continues to make it possible for us to continue our challenging ministry."
Central has had a supportive relationship with Jordan New Life for several years and has previously given the congregation over $56,000 to repair its sanctuary roof.
In a letter to Jacob announcing the gift, Central president Bill Masche said that our congregation wants to “remain involved with Jordan New Life and your mission.” In response Jacob said that he was delighted about developing a “meaningful and ongoing relationship.”
“Last Sunday I spoke on ‘the year of the Lord’s favor’ and all of us at Jordan New Life confessed that 2010 is the year of God’s favor (Jubilee) for us,” said Pastor Jacob. “Your witness of love and outreach, as you simply seek to be faithful, is to us at Jordan a confirmation that this is indeed the year of the Lord’s favor.”
When news of the gift—from one ELCA congregation to another—reached the offices of the Minneapolis Area Synod, it prompted a response that will take story of this partnership churchwide. Synod communications director Sara Masters is writing a news story that will be sent to the ELCA News Service and The Lutheran magazine.
“The whole church needs to hear about this,” she said.
Meanwhile just south of Jordan New Life Community Church—in downtown Minneapolis—our gift to the Currie Avenue Partnership is helping to move people out of homelessness.
The Currie Avenue Partnership is an unprecedented collaboration between the Minneapolis business community—through the Downtown Council—and the faith community—through Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness (DCEH), of which Central is a founding member. The effort aims to move 150 people out of homelessness within six months through the efforts of new caseworkers hired with funds donated through the partnership. The total cost of the project is approximately $350,000.
The members of DCEH had originally pledged $70,000 to the project. That commitment has now increased to $130,000, according to Heidi Johnson McAllister, congregational organizer for DCEH, with over $68,000 “in the bank.”
“The contribution of $20,000 from Central Lutheran Church will have a direct and positive impact on the Minneapolis community as it propels the project forward to hire another case worker,” said Heidi.
Heidi explained that in the first six months of work, the case worker will assist 12 to 15 persons who are homeless and have a disability to find housing and keep it.
“With a total of ten new case workers, 150 people’s homelessness will be ended and Central will have a hand in it,” she said.
the original story about giving the gifts is here
January 30, 2010
The decision by the congregation of Central Lutheran Church last Sunday to give away $70,000 to causes outside our congregation is already bringing joy and hope to its recipients. By a unanimous vote, the remaining benevolence funds of the now-completed Forward in Faith campaign—ten percent of the total received—were given in support of Jordan New Life Community Church ($35,000), the Currie Avenue Partnership ($20,000), Community Emergency Services ($10,000) and Camp Noah, a program of Lutheran Social Services ($5,000).
The funds for Jordan New Life, a multicultural congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in north Minneapolis, will completely pay its mortgage, freeing up monthly funds for for its ministries and direct services.
“We are eternally grateful for your wonderful gift to us at Jordan New Life,” said the Rev. Terrance Jacob. “Central continues to make it possible for us to continue our challenging ministry."
Central has had a supportive relationship with Jordan New Life for several years and has previously given the congregation over $56,000 to repair its sanctuary roof.
In a letter to Jacob announcing the gift, Central president Bill Masche said that our congregation wants to “remain involved with Jordan New Life and your mission.” In response Jacob said that he was delighted about developing a “meaningful and ongoing relationship.”
“Last Sunday I spoke on ‘the year of the Lord’s favor’ and all of us at Jordan New Life confessed that 2010 is the year of God’s favor (Jubilee) for us,” said Pastor Jacob. “Your witness of love and outreach, as you simply seek to be faithful, is to us at Jordan a confirmation that this is indeed the year of the Lord’s favor.”
When news of the gift—from one ELCA congregation to another—reached the offices of the Minneapolis Area Synod, it prompted a response that will take story of this partnership churchwide. Synod communications director Sara Masters is writing a news story that will be sent to the ELCA News Service and The Lutheran magazine.
“The whole church needs to hear about this,” she said.
Meanwhile just south of Jordan New Life Community Church—in downtown Minneapolis—our gift to the Currie Avenue Partnership is helping to move people out of homelessness.
The Currie Avenue Partnership is an unprecedented collaboration between the Minneapolis business community—through the Downtown Council—and the faith community—through Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness (DCEH), of which Central is a founding member. The effort aims to move 150 people out of homelessness within six months through the efforts of new caseworkers hired with funds donated through the partnership. The total cost of the project is approximately $350,000.
The members of DCEH had originally pledged $70,000 to the project. That commitment has now increased to $130,000, according to Heidi Johnson McAllister, congregational organizer for DCEH, with over $68,000 “in the bank.”
“The contribution of $20,000 from Central Lutheran Church will have a direct and positive impact on the Minneapolis community as it propels the project forward to hire another case worker,” said Heidi.
Heidi explained that in the first six months of work, the case worker will assist 12 to 15 persons who are homeless and have a disability to find housing and keep it.
“With a total of ten new case workers, 150 people’s homelessness will be ended and Central will have a hand in it,” she said.
the original story about giving the gifts is here
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