We can make a difference together

July 18, 2018

Information from Mission Presbytery:

Family Reunification

Reuniting Children with Their Parents

The US Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Refugee Resettlement has a total goal of reuniting 1500-2000 children with parents this week in San Antonio.This is to begin Sunday, July 15 through Catholic Charities and supportive partners, including Interfaith Welcome Coalition.

Here are two ways you can help the children and families being reunited after being separated after crossing the border.

Here are the specific needs:

• Gift cards for restaurants or HEB to buy food for the families. Please place in envelopes clearly marked with $-quantity of card(s) and tagged with “Compassion400.”

• Clothes for children ages 6-17. All clothes must be clean or new, bagged and clearly marked by each size and gender, and tagged with “Compassion400.” No loose clothing can be accepted at this time of urgency.

• Clothes for adults in sizes small and medium. All clothes must be clean or new, bagged and clearly marked by each size and gender, and tagged with “Compassion400.” No loose clothing can be accepted at this time of urgency.

• Financial support to temporarily house reunified families in hotels. Donations can be made directly online at ccaosa.org.

Gift cards and clothing need to be delivered directly to Catholic Charities at 202 W. French Place, San Antonio.

You can start bringing donations TODAY – July 14 and 8am-8pm through July 24th

Direct Contact: Christina Higgs – 210-268-5808

“Welcome Home Backpack Kits”

www.interfaithwelcomecoalition.org.

Thank you so much for being willing to provide fully stocked backpacks or items to assemble backpacks for the “WelcomeHome Project” in San Antonio.

Pack all items in a new or excellent quality, clean 17-inch zipper type backpack and label each backpack with Bus Station or Airport (Please be sure to indicate any missing items.)

Important: contact Jane Fried at 210-601-1983 or before assembling and donating your backpacks to verify need and confirm that all items on this list are accurate and have not changed.

Ship backpacks and supplies to:

University Presbyterian Church

Attn: IWC

300 Bushnell Ave

San Antonio, TX 78212

Phone: (210) 732-9927

The need is great for funds for IWC to purchase in bulk backpacks and supplies.

Please send donations to University Presbyterian Church, in memo line: IWC/Backpacks.

Mail to

University Presbyterian Church,

300 Bushnell Ave,

San Antonio, TX 78212

BUS STATION BACKPACK LIST

Toiletries packed in gallon-sized Ziplockbag

2 toothbrushes

1 travel sizetoothpaste

1 small deodorant

1 package hand wipes

1 pack travel size Kleenex

1 smallhairbrush

2 hair bands or scrunchies

Small fleeceblanket 4×6

Other (optional but highlyrecommended):

1 small size English-Spanish dictionary

2 pens

1 small note pad

Coloring book & crayons/stuffed animal

Food/Drinks:

2 bottles of water

In gallon-sized Ziplock bag:

3 bags trail mix

4 soft granola bars

3 packages fruit snacks

3 packages animal crackers

2 pkgs. non-saltysnacks (cheese/crackers, peanut butter/crackers etc.

2 packages cheese bit crackers

May the God of hope…

June 8, 2018

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Dear Church Family,

This week, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, the heart of discrimination beat a little stronger. The baker and those like him trample over the Gospel to reach their vision of a moral high ground. As they claim their stake in morality, they puncture the very heart of Jesus’ message and mission.

Jesus crossed boundaries, broke traditions, and confronted religious authorities to embrace the oppressed and marginalized. If we strive to follow Christ, we are bound to find ourselves at odds with the culture. With hate and fear constantly pouring through our social media accounts and television, we might doubt the power of faith, or the church’s ability to make a positive impact on the world. We may feel defeated and alone, but we are not. We have faith. We have each other. God has us all.

12 Principles of Forgiveness

September 20, 2017

For the past two weeks, the lectionary Scripture passages for worship have focused on forgiveness. Jesus insists that forgiveness is a required — not optional — spiritual practice. Jesus lived in a constant state of forgiveness, and challenged his followers to do the same. Of course, that is easier said than done. In my sermon last week I referred to the Buddhist teacher and writer, Jack Kornfield, who beautifully outlines the Buddha’s 12 principles of forgiveness. With practice and patience, these principles can inspire us to live in Christ’s forgiving presence.

Legacy Sunday remarks

May 10, 2016

Carmine Salvucci’s remarks for Legacy Sunday, May 8, 2016

We heard from Steve Brister last week how important our annual pledges and gifts are to the mission and ministries of this church. And I believe each of us gives because Central is such an important part of our lives – for some of us, it has been an important part of our life for generations.

At some point, we all think about the legacy we hope to leave behind in the world– how we might leave this earth a better place than when we found it. And certainly our annual tithing is an important part of that. Another important part is how we might continue to help, long after we’re gone, through our estate plan.

Announcing the Central Legacy Fund

March 1, 2016

The stewardship of all of life is a core value for Presbyterians. Life is a gift from God and we are called to use our lives wisely to benefit the common good which in turn gives glory to God. The gospel challenges us to be wise stewards of our time, talents and resources. Read more…