The Outreach Council is our Missions Council. The council works hard at trying to spread the love of Jesus Christ to as many missions and organizations as they can. That love comes in any forms: volunteer support, financial support, needs collections or simply prayer. Numerous organizations from around the world, the country and right in our own backyard have reaped the benefits of the caring people of New Hackensack. The council responds to special appeals from the Reformed Church World Service, providing aid in times of national or international crisis, through the use of special monetary collections. The council also works with Pastor Tamlyn welcoming people to NHRC through new member classes. There are many additional opportunities to serve for anyone who wishes to become involved. An information sheet will be available at the Information Center in the Gathering Area very soon. Please take a moment every Sunday to look at the Outreach bulletin board located in the Hallway between Fellowship Hall and the main kitchen. Letters of appreciation are posted on it, as well as mission information from around the RCA.
The entire church family is considered part of this council. If you have a heart for mission, and wish to "officially" join the council, we welcome you. Always remember, when you drive out of the church parking lot, you are entering The Mission Field. God Bless!!
Reformed Church Women's Ministries (RCWM)
The Birthday Dessert Committee has met and we are excited about plans for this year's Birthday Dessert and Fashion Show fundraiser, which will be on Wednesday evening, June 6th. Pat Chism and Karen Dietz are organizing and running the fashion show and are excited about their plans for Birthday Dessert. We have some tables available and would welcome some new hostesses. Join the fun; pick a table from the lists on the bulletin board between the Gathering Area and Fellowship Hall. Look for more info in next month's newsletter, and at the Birthday Dessert coffee hour on April 1st.
The Book Club: April book club will meet on Tuesday, April 17th and we'll discuss The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. The May club will meet on the 15th and the book is still to be determined.
Women's Monthly Dinner: April 11th - will be held at Shadows On The Hudson, 176 Rinaldi Blvd., Poughkeepsie. Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a fun-filled social evening and enjoy delicious menu fare starting at $9. We will have separate checks. Sign up in the Gathering Area, or contact Pat Chism or Karen Lunstead.
Voices of Hope Concert: to be held on April 17, 2012 at 7:30 pm at The Riverside Church in NYC. Pete Seeger will be the guest act. Please click here for more information.
Community Outreach
We currently provide support to the following organizations:
Ongoing Projects
Homeless Shelter: The new volunteer sign-up list to cook and serve the homeless is now available at the Information Table. Please check your calendars and sign up. For information, please call Arra Mowry.
Food Pantry Collection: Collection boxes are available in the Gathering Area, Fellowship Hall and the Education Center. The food pantries that we support are The Veterans at Castle Point and The Beacon Reformed Church. Please consider bringing in a box or can of food the next time you come to church. A complete listing of the shelter needs are available near each box. For information, please call Nancy Cooper.
Creative Kindness Program: We are currently making blankets and scarves for the Veterans at Castle Point, pillows for the kids at Vassar Brothers Medical Center (gearing up for Easter) and more aprons (bibs) for the seniors at Avalon. If there are any sewing talented people who are interested in making handmade gifts for this program, please let us know. We are always accepting gift cards of any amount from Joanns Fabrics or Hobby Lobby to help purchase the material and other sewing supply needs. All donated gift cards will be recorded with our Financial Secretary as a donation to NHRC. Gift cards can be dropped off with Hazel at the Church Office.
If you know of someone who could use a little cozy comfort with a snuggly blanket, please let us or Mary Lou Grott know so we can accommodate that need.
Clothing Drive for the Vets: Along with a food pantry at Castle Point VA Hospital, they also have a clothing pantry. Outreach has decided to put out boxes, starting January 2012, to collect new or nearly new clothing. All underwear and socks MUST be new. They are always in need of warm clothing this time of the year. Hats, scarves and gloves as well as boots would be greatly appreciated. They are also welcoming bathroom hygiene products such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream and disposable razors and deodorant. For information please call Arra Mowry or Nancy Cooper.
Warm Wishes Blanket Program: If you know of someone who is going through a tough time, whether it be emotional or physical, please let us know or contact Mary Lou Grott or Keith Tamlyn to request a nice comfortable blanket that is generally made especially for them. For information call Arra Mowry or Nancy Cooper.
RCA Partners in Mission: Beginning in 2012 Outreach will designate Ruth Estelle - China (with support from RCWM) and a Native American Mission in the USA as NHRC's Partners In Mission.
Annual Coat Drive Distribution: Notices have been posted throughout NHRC listing locations as well as the dates and times where donated coats and jackets will be distributed by Dutchess Outreach for anyone who is in need of a warm coat this season.
Campbell's Products: The bar code and Campbell's logo will be sent to Menaul School in Albuquerque, NM, a Native American Presbyterian School serving students in grades 6-12. They use the labels for school supplies for the teachers and musical instruments for the students.
Aluminum Can Tabs: The proceeds from the sale are deposited in the Transportation Fund, which provides for the transporting of children to the Shriners Orthopedic and Burn Hospitals in Springfield and Boston MA at no cost to the family. The Shriners currently have vehicles which are stationed in Albany, Cairo and Rhinebeck NY, which are transporting on a weekly basis.
Postage Stamps: The stamps are sold, with the funds used to publish Bibles, religious books and literature. The collection box is on the large desk in the Education Center wing. Questions? Please contact Leslie Urbanski.
Missionaries
Eric Titus--Croatia
Ruth Estelle--China
Members of the Outreach Council
Arra Mowry (chair), Ann Martin, Nancy Cooper, Karen Dietz, Joan Heller, Jane Konitz and Laurel Morschhauser
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