George Hufford, Coordinator     Hunger, Health, and Housing Concerns     Vol. 2  No. 2

Special Offerings

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING (OGHS)…As of May 1, we have received the OGHS receipts for 2008 from several congregations. Those  congregations who have received the offering and not yet remitted the funds to the Presbytery office are asked to do so soon.  We hope to be able to give a final report of the OGHS total for our presbytery in the next version of By George.

PENTECOST OFFERING….This is one of four special offerings sponsored by the General Assembly PC(USA).

While usually received on Pentecost Sunday, the offering can be scheduled at the convenience of your congregation.

A portion of the Pentecost Offering is retained by the local Congregation. 40% is retained for use on behalf  of children at risk. The promotional materials for the Pentecost Offering provides many suggestions for use of the congregational share. The remaining 60% goes to support General Assembly  child advocacy ministries (10%); General Assembly ministries to youth (25%); Young Adult Volunteer Program (25%).

If your congregation did not receive Pentecost Offering materials from GA, I have a few packets at the Presbytery Office. Remember, the offering does not have to be received on Pentecost Sunday.

Health Ministries

HEALTH FAIRS—2008….The Presbytery of Cincinnati will again be participating in the Mobile Health Fair Program of the Synod of the Covenant. We will be hosting fairs the week of June 16-20. We currently have fairs scheduled for Monday and Tuesday of that week. It may be possible to add a late afternoon/evening fair on Tuesday June 17. We have a fair set tentatively for Friday June 20.

Both Wednesday and Thursday are unscheduled at this time. If your congregation is interested in hosting a fair, please contact me at the Presbytery Office, 513-221-4850 ext 103.

We also are in need of volunteers to assist with these fairs. Both lay volunteers and health care professionals are needed.

PARISH NURSING….A second informational meeting planning session is scheduled for Monday May 19. This meeting will be held at the Presbytery Office at 6 p.m. on that date. The meeting is open to all who may be interested. Please call me at the Presbytery Office (513-221-4850 ext 103) if you plan to attend.  A representative from TriHealth will be a part of the program. TriHealth operates a congregational based Parish Nursing Program. One of our goals is to establish a Health Ministries/ Parish Nursing Network within the Presbytery of Cincinnati.

PC(USA) PARTNERS

Much of the work of our denomination is done in cooperation and partnership with other groups. Two such groups are Church World Service (CWS) and Heifer Project International (HPI).

CWS is a cooperative venture of more than thirty denominations and communions, one being PC(USA).

While diverse in their theology and organizational patterns, these groups come together to, in many ways, offer hope to those in troubled spots throughout the world. A significant part of the funds for the work of CWS comes through CROP Walks. Currently CROP walks in our area are held in Mt. Auburn, Western Hills, Hillsboro, Adams County, and Milford. In 2007 these walks generated a total of $17,044. Twenty-five percent of these funds were retained to help local charities. If you would like more information about the possibility of scheduling a CROP Walk in your area, you may contact me at the Presbytery Office.

Some specific CWS programs to assist those who struggle are: kit programs (school kits, hygiene kits, baby kits) and Tools and Blanket Program.  For more information about any of these, you may call the Ohio CWS office at 614-481-4416 or e-mail them at this address.

Next time we will provide some information about HPI.

Local Social Witness

PUBLIC EDUCATION….The PC(USA) has through the years been a strong proponent of public education. For those of you who live within the bounds of the Cincinnati City School District, you should be aware of the fact that a search is underway for a new Superintendent of Schools. A blue ribbon advisory panel has been selected to aid in this search. One of our own, Elder Emily Spicer, of Carmel Presbyterian Church, serves with that group. I am sure that Emily would be happy to talk with you about this search.

The ongoing problem of an appropriate way to finance public education continues. Little or no progress has been made in the past several years. The current Governor  assures us that he will soon  have a proposal to present.  Over the past 20 or more years, most proposals have done little to solve the problem and indeed, in many cases, made the problem more severe. The Ohio Lottery which was presented as a solution to the problem of adequate funding for schools, offered no new money for education, it simply replaced funds from other revenue streams. It is important that every citizen of Ohio let their state representative and state senator know that we expect them, along with the Governor to solve this long standing problem.

GAMBLING…..We in Ohio took a wrong turn when we looked to a state lottery to solve the school funding problems. Recently the governor proposed expanding the lottery system by permitting Keno machines in adult venues. Several legislative leaders have vowed to not let this happen. The proposal seems to be “on the back” burner for now, but these things tend to reappear when no one is watching.

Another group is proposing to establish casino gambling in Ohio.  This proposal would allow one casino in the state, located nearby, in Clinton County, just off I-71. They will soon be circulating petitions to get this on a statewide ballot.