Isaiah 58 Ministries 2149 S. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63104 Return Service Requested Isaiah 58 Ministries Pew & Pavement February, 2012 Volume 39, Number 1 FAT Pancake Supper and Isaiah 58 Ministries and local congregations will be hosting our fifth annual Pancake Supper on February 21st beginning at 6:00 p.m. Pancakes, sausage and eggs will be served with all the toppings to make this a feast to be remembered! Fun will be available for all ages. Inside This Issue The event will be held at Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, 4111 Connecticut St., in South Tower Grove Park Neighborhood. Mark your calendars for this annual fun and entertaining evening to benefit the food pantry. Come and Kick-off the Lenten Season with Isaiah 58 Ministries For more information call (314) 776-1410 From the Director s Chair 2 Annual Mtg. 3 Y98 Interview 4 Food Pantry Tax Credit 4 Thanksgiving & Christmas 5 Healthy Lifestyles 6 Lunch and Learn 6 New Parish Nurse 7 Lifted in Prayer 8 Meal a Month Menu 9 Helping the Homeless 10 Black History 11
Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 2 Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 11 FROM THE DIRECTOR S CHAIR The Advent season came and went and we are quickly moving into 2012. But for me, this year is different. I continue to reflect on this past Advent s blessing the Light of the World coming to us in the form of a tiny baby, born to two refugees with nowhere to turn but a cold stable. As I go through my day, working at Isaiah 58 Ministries, I am constantly reminded of the many people today who face similar circumstances lack of jobs, unemployment running out, bills accumulating, and no food on the table, with the threat of their electricity being shut off any day. We receive approximately 50 calls a day from people looking for assistance on their utility bills, many who already have a disconnection notice and only days to find help. Unfortunately, because of our limited resources, we are only able to help a small portion of those individuals, referring others on to sister organizations. And sadly, far too often it seems, whenever we refer them on, the story is the same. Everyone is out of funds. We recognize the immense importance of our Utility Assistance Program to the lives of those we serve. During 2011, by providing $25 to $50 grants, we were able to assist a total of 267 families (660 individuals). While we are proud of what we were able to do in 2011, we want to do more. When individuals call looking for help, we want to be able to tell them we have funds available and are ready and able to assist them. As we seek to celebrate and live out the light of the world coming to earth in the form of a tiny baby, we hope you will consider a donation to Isaiah 58 Ministries Light of the World Campaign. All funds will be used to assist our clients with either their gas or electric bill. Consider a donation of $25, $50 or $100 dollars so that our clients will be able to find hope in the generosity of others and in the warmth and comfort of a well-heated and well-lit home. IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH Yet what I sowed and what the orchard yields my brother s sons are gathering stalk and root; small wonder then my children glean the fields they have not sown, and feed on bitter fruit. Won t You Celebrate With Me ~ Lucille Clifton Won t you celebrate with me what I have shaped into a kind of life? I had no model. born in Babylon both nonwhite and woman what did I see to be except myself? i made it up here on this bridge between starshine and clay, my one hand holding tight my other hand; come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed. A Black Man Talks of Reaping ~ Arna Bontemps I have sown beside waters in my day. I planted deep, within my heart the fear that wind or fowl would take the grain away. I planted safe against this stark, lean year. I scattered seed enough to plan the land in rows from Canada to Mexico but for my reaping only what the hand can hold at once is all that I can show.
Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 10 Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 3 HELPING THE HOMELESS A wonderful event will be held on February 19th at 2:30 p.m. at Compton Heights Christian Church (2149 S. Grand Blvd.). I encourage anyone and everyone who is concerned about the issue of homelessness to attend. Rev. Dr. Jacque Foster of Compton Heights Christian Church writes: All of our congregations encounter men, women, and families who are homeless and seeking help of some kind. Very often we struggle to know how to respond in ways that are ultimately helpful and will address the core issues. Recently I had a lengthy conversation with Rev. Martin Rafanan who is the Director of Gateway 180 Shelter in St. Louis. I came out of that conversation with knowledge and hope about the direction of St. Louis City's approach to getting people out of shelters and into stable housing and addressing the multi-layered lifeissues that perpetuate homelessness. Over the last 3 years a significant change of direction has taken place. Compton Heights CC will host Martin (pronounced Marteen) on Sunday, February 19 at 2:30 PM. to talk about networking and processes in place to help us address homelessness. We want this event to reach as many people and congregations as possible. We are inviting our ecumenical neighbors and other Disciples congregations. This is vital for all of us: First, because it puts the tools in our hands to respond to those who come to us seeking help - both those who are homeless AND those who are on the verge of becoming homeless! And second, because there are creative ways our congregations can be involved in outreach. SAVE THE DATE On June 9, 2012 we will host our 3rd Annual Wine Tasting/Silent Auction Event. It will be held at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive, (off of Skinker and Wydown). More information is to come. Save the date for this wonderful event! ANNUAL MEETING/AWARDS DINNER When: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Where Isaiah 58 Ministries 2149 S. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63104 Cost: $20.00 per person Please RSVP by March 21, 2012 J.I.M. Award (Joined in Ministry) You shall be called the Repairer of the breach, the Restorer of streets to live in. Isaiah 58 Ministries Join us at our Annual Meeting/Awards Dinner where we will celebrate the many wonderful ways we are serving those in need in South St. Louis City. This event provides an opportunity to share with our supporters the many things that are going on at Isaiah 58 Ministries, and also recognize individuals and organizations who have given of their time and resources throughout the year. An incredible organization will be presented with the J.I.M. Award (Joined in Ministry), and an individual will be recognized with the Mildred Slack Award. Come celebrate with us the power of a giving heart, and learn what is happening at Isaiah 58 Ministries. BECOME A FAN THROUGH FACEBOOK f Isaiah 58 Ministries has a Fan Page on Facebook where we share stories, provide inspirational quotes and share upcoming events. Search us out and become a fan.
Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 4 Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 9 Y98 INTERVIEWS ISAIAH 58 MINISTRIES Isaiah 58 Ministries had the privilege of participating in a radio interview on Y98 s Insight on St. Louis on February 22nd. We spent the time talking about the many programs Isaiah 58 Ministries offers and the issues that we address on a daily basis. If you didn t get a chance to hear the interview, it s not too late. Go to http:// y98.radio.com/2012/01/22/insight-on-st-louis-isaiah-58- ministries/ and you can hear the program in its entirety. It might just give you a little more insight into what we do and who we serve. MISSOURI FOOD PANTRY TAX CREDIT Did you make a donation to Isaiah 58 Ministries during 2011. If so, you can claim any donation made before August 28, 2011 on your Missouri taxes. Unfortunately, this is the last year you will be able to do so, as the bill was not renewed for 2012. Per the Missouri Department of Revenue,...the food pantry tax credit sunsets on August 28, 2011. All food pantry tax credit claimants must make contributions to an eligible food pantry on or before August 28, 2011. Isaiah 58 Ministries will be happy to mail any donors the appropriate form that needs to be filed with your taxes. If you are interested in this credit, please call Brenda at (314) 776-1410. For more information regarding this credit, you can check out the website at http://dor.mo.gov/taxcredit/fpt.php. MEAL A MONTH MENUS If your church or organization would like to participate in the Meal-A- Month program for Isaiah 58 Ministries, below is a suggested menu for each month. All fruit and vegetable suggestions are to be canned and, if possible, low sodium and/or in their own juice. January Peanut Butter & Jelly Pears Spaghetti-O s Pancake Mix (Toilet Paper) February Canned Chicken Boxed Rice Mix Fruit Cocktail (Toothpaste and Toothbrush) March Chicken and Dumplings Peaches Soup Green Beans Graham Crackers or Nilla Wafers (Shampoo) April Spaghetti and Meatballs Peas Biscuit/Baking Mix Syrup Applesauce (Laundry Detergent) May Tuna Hamburger or Tuna Helper Fruit Cocktail Cereal (Shampoo) June Spam or Canned Ham Baked Beans Applesauce bread Mix (Deodorant) July Soup Macaroni & Cheese Peaches Green Beans Jello Cereal (Laundry Detergent) August Tuna Boxed Potato Mox Pineapple Graham Crackers or Nilla Wafers (Bar Soap) September Peanut Butter & Jelly Pears Spaghetti-O s Pancake Mix (Toilet Paper) October Canned Chicken Boxed Rice Mix Fruit Cocktail (Toothpaste and Toothbrush) November Chicken and Dumplings Peaches Soup Green Beans Crackers (Shampoo) December Spaghetti and Meatballs Peas Biscuit/Baking Mix Syrup Applesauce (Laundry Detergent)
Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 8 Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 5 LIFTED IN PRAYER A prayer board is available at Isaiah 58 Ministries, allowing individuals to be lifted in prayer, and also lift up others in prayer. We are sharing these prayers within our newsletter to provide our readers an opportunity to also lift up those in need during your own talks with God. Following are the current prayers being lifted up. 1. Pray for me to get a job and get a new apartment. 2. Pray for me and my kids to get a place to stay and for me to get a job and my grandbabies. We are all homeless at this time. 3. Pray for my family please single mom of four and husband in jail. 4. My names is Mrs. Davis. Pray for me to find a good paying job and take care of my three boys. 5. Pray for my kids to be alright. 6. Pray for Bridget, that God opens the door for me to get a job and get my tuition paid. 7. Pray for Robert, Gary, and Mary Miller family. 8. My name is Matthew. I d love for the church to pray that I get my own apartment and also that my family stay blessed and prayed up. 9. Pray for healing and my health and for a better apartment. Dorothy. 10. Pray for me to get a job and a place of my own finally (one that I can afford). Also pray for my continuous success in school. Tenisha. 11. Pray for my family. My marriage to stay together, my house to come back a home, to stay healthy. Thank you, Amen. Prayer by a Client Father, in the name of Jesus, reach down and touch and bless all on this board. Grant peace, and healing for all here Jesus. Bless this ministry Lord. And allow your glory to settle on all here in need of you Jesus. Continue to provide for your children here Lord. We thank you Jesus for all you have done, are doing and will do Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen. THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS FOOD DISTRIBUTION A SUCCESS Our Thanksgiving and Christmas When Pigs Fly Buy-A-Bird fundraiser was a success this year. With the help of caring individuals and churches we were able to raise $11,608.40 for our Thanksgiving and Christmas distribution. This allowed us to provide 400 gift cards towards the purchase of a turkey for Thanksgiving and over 300 hams for Christmas. Thank you everyone for your continuing support as we helped those in need have a fulfilling holiday experience. CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR EVERYONE! This year, for the third year in a row, Isaiah 58 Ministries held a Christmas sale for our clients during the month of December. With the generous support of St. John s UCC Church, BRO (Board of Religious Organizations), Circle of Concern, and many individuals, a Christmas sale was held during the weeks of December 12th-16th and 19th-22nd. Toys and other gifts were provided at an extremely reduced rate, allowing those on a fixed income or struggling to make ends meet have a wonderful Christmas. For those who couldn t afford even the reduced rates, we offered vouchers that allowed them to pick up gifts for their loved ones. Thank you everyone for making this a wonderful Christmas season for our clients.
Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 6 Isaiah 58 Ministries Page 7 HEALTHY LIFESTYLES HAPPENINGS In November we had to say goodbye to our Parish Nurse of two years, Kathi Pondoff, as she resigned to pursue better opportunities. While we are sad to see her go, we wish her well in her new endeavors. Below is a message she left for all those she served. To all my brothers and sisters in Christ, I want to thank each of you for touching my life in your own special way. I have learned from you. I have grown as a person because of you. I will hold you all close in my heart and in my prayers. I feel so blessed to have had you all in my life. I wish you God s love, peace and abundance. Until we meet again... With much love, Kathi God Speed, Kathi! LUNCH AND LEARN PROGRAM Isaiah 58 Ministries will host a Lunch and Learn Program on February 15th at 12:00 noon focused on managing your assets and budget planning. While many may think, I have no money to manage, the truth is, no matter what one s financial status is, it is important to manage carefully that which we do have. And as many receive refunds from their taxes this time of year, it is important to learn how to manage the extra income. If you know of someone who could benefit from this program, please encourage them to attend. Lunch will be provided for all. MEET OUR NEW PARISH NURSE My name is Barbara O Connell. I am the new parish nurse, which is a position that utilizes everything I have ever learned as a registered nurse, plus all of my life s experience. It is as if my entire life has led me to serve the uninsured and underserved in the inner city. For the past four years I have worked in the communities surrounding St. Cronan Catholic Church on S. Boyle and Christ Church, UCC in Maplewood. The people who I have served have taught me many things and I feel called to continue to work to help people obtain good medical care, advocate on their behalf in all areas of need, and to minister to the whole person---body, mind, and spirit. I truly believe in Jesus social teachings and that each one of us is His eyes, hands, and feet. My hope is that I can better the lives of those who God has put along my path. I am very happy to join the dedicated people at Isaiah 58 Ministries. DONATE TO ISAIAH 58 MINISTRIES THROUGH OUR WEBSITE Did you know you can now make donations to Isaiah 58 Ministries online? Go to www.i58ministries.org, click on Donate and make a donation through our secure PayPal option.