Category: Faith UCC News and Comments (Page 12 of 30)

KIVA Loan Program Update

February 16, 2022 /

As many of you know, Faith Church remains one of the largest funders of micro loans through KIVA for the UCC.

This month, we highlight one of our many loan recipients.

Please continue to pray for and learn more about this amazing ministry of our church and contact Mike Ziegler to discuss how you and your family can help him choose loans to help fund each month!

Moringa Connect’s Story

There are 1.5B acres of fertile, uncultivated land in Africa with 175M subsistence farmers earning less than $2 per day. Moringa is a climate-smart, drought-resistant tree that provides a pathway to economic security. Farmers can earn 4-10x more income by growing moringa. However, they lack access to international markets.

MoringaConnect operates the first vertically integrated moringa business. It produces moringa-based nutrition and natural beauty products for wholesale customers and its own brands (Minga Foods, True Moringa). The team provides Ghanaian farmers with training and then buys their moringa produce at a fair price to increase incomes up to 10x. In 2019, MoringaConnect supported over 5,500 farmers, of whom 38% were female and nearly 75% amongst the poorest 20% in Ghana.

Since their previous loan with Kiva’s Labs: Social Enterprise program, Moringa Connect has launched a 150-acre nucleus farm that employs a cohort of women and vulnerable populations in the community. It is Ghana’s first certified organic nucleus farm and contains the largest solar irrigation project in West Africa.

This loan of $200,000 will be used to finance manufacturing activities and continue purchases of moringa from smallholder farmers in rural Ghana during COVID-related business disruption.

This loan is special because: it provides innovative market access for a superfood ingredient to improve the incomes of
Ghanian farmers.

Hey Kiva Fam,

We’re all about celebrating women and all things made-in-Ghana year-round, but
with International Women’s Day and Ghana Independence Day coinciding with the start of the moringa harvest season this week, we wanted to give you a glimpse behind the scenes of our organic moringa farm.

We proudly source much of our moringa from small farmers that we train and support across Ghana through our “outgrower” farmer model. These farmers typically have experience and access to land.

Our “Ingrower” farmers on the other hand typically lack access to land and
experience growing high value tree crops like moringa. Traditionally, women in many parts of rural Ghana and tribal minorities fall into this category. We offer training, tools, inputs like fertilizer and seeds, and solar powered irrigation to these farmers along with a dedicated plot of land on our organic farm.

Ingrower farmers participate in Village Savings & Loan Association (VSLA) groups run by a member of our True Moringa Farmer Outreach Team. These powerful circles of women meet regularly to save the income they earn growing moringa and other crops and lend their savings to individual members to invest in their farms and businesses. For each $1 we invest in organizing and facilitating these groups, $10 is generated through savings and loans.

Today, our organic farm creates 50 jobs and is home to over one million moringa trees & the largest solar-powered irrigation system in West Africa. We’ve got a lot of exciting projects in the works on the farm – stay tuned for updates throughout the planting season!

Celebrate with us & enjoy the fruits of the farm – use code INDEPENDENCE for 20% off this week: truemoringa.com/discount/INDEPENDENCE.

Moringa Love,
Kwami, Emily & Team True Moringa

JoAnn Brown Obituary

February 16, 2022 /

Friends, as we announced last month, one of our durable saints and founding members, JoAnn Brown, died December 21st.  Her family sent us her obituary clipping and we have sent our love and condolences to them.  She was a smart, funny, firecracker of a woman and we were grateful to have known and loved one.  Peace to all as we remember and grieve this much-beloved member of Faith Church.

OBITUARY

JoAnn S. Brown

JUNE 16, 1936 – DECEMBER 21, 2021

IN THE CARE OF

Zoeller Funeral Home

Jo Ann S. Brown left our arms for the arms of her Savior on December 21, 2021. Her homecoming followed a life filled with love, and although our hearts are heavy, we celebrate her release from the restraints of this world.

Jo Ann was born to Elsa Warnecke Salge and Harry Salge on the afternoon of June 16, 1936, in New Braunfels, Texas. She spent her entire childhood in New Braunfels; developing friendships that would last throughout her entire lifetime.

Jo Ann married William H. (Bill) Brown on December 29, 1956. They moved to Jourdanton, Texas where all three of their sons were born. They returned to New Braunfels where they lived happily for 58 years until Bill’s passing in 2014.

Once settled in New Braunfels, Jo Ann was employed by Dr. Fischer’s Dental Practice as a bookkeeper and a dental assistant. She then entered Civil Service, and worked at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio until her retirement.

Jo Ann was instrumental in the planning of her High School Reunions. She maintained friendships with a majority of her high school friends until her passing. Many of these friends were part of her BUNCO club, and together they spent hours laughing and reminiscing.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Elsa Salge, her husband, Bill Brown, and her grandson, Will Brown. She is survived by her sons, William (Billy) Brown and wife Donna, Mark Brown and wife Chris, and Steven Brown, and wife Christie. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Kailey Brown, Kyler Brown, Hunter Brown, Brandi Rodriguez and husband Joe, Bobby Heine and wife Mirela, Robert Brown and wife Margot, Jessica McCoy and husband Holt, and Stephanie Obelgoner and husband Jason, and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Zoeller Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Texas from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Zoeller Funeral Home, followed by burial at Guadalupe Memorial Park. After conclusion, the family would like friends to gather back at Zoeller Funeral Home for refreshments and reminiscing over a life well lived.

Linda Coats Service

February 16, 2022 /

Many of us have been praying for Linda Coats after her stroke and resulting health complications this past year and for those of us grieving since Linda’s death January 10th.  Her service, which was recorded and linked to below, was a beautiful reminder of the love and laughter that Linda inspired every where she went and how much she impacted the world.  Our prayers remain with all who mourn this beautiful soul.

Friends Congregational Church, UCC, posted this on Facebook January 10th: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our dear Linda Coats passed from this life into God’s marvelous light. Linda died peacefully today in the early morning hours…Here she is placing a rock with her name on it into a box alongside rocks with her church family members’ names on them. Those rocks were mixed into the cement that laid the foundation for our church’s building expansion nearly a decade ago. It’s a comfort to know that the community of faith she nurtured continues to be nurtured on a foundation she is an essential, eternal part of. Rest in God’s ever-loving power and everlasting peace, Linda. This world is so much better because you let your light shine in it every day of your unmistakable life.”

Link to video of memorial service:
https://fb.watch/bbyDad_CIJ/

Ash Wednesday Service March 2nd 6:30pm

February 16, 2022 /

Join us as we observe the beginning of Lent in just a couple of weeks with a quiet, contemplative service and the dispensation of ashes.  If you need to join by Zoom, you may contact Janet or Pastor Carla to come by the church and pick up your ashes to participate in the service with us that evening.

Learn Ways to Support Connections!

February 15, 2022 /

Connections Individual and Family Services is hosting an Open House 2/22 from 10-11a(at 1414 W. San Antonio) to educate folks on their services and ways we can help.

This vital outreach could use our participation! Enter a raffle for an electric bike to support Connections, attend their free all-ages all-abilities yoga classes at Westside Community Center Mondays at 5:30p, and learn more by joining Pastor Carla at an Open House 10-11a on 2/22. Details can be found in their most recent newsletter. (sign up for newsletter at https://connectionsifs.org/.

Pastor Carla plans to attend and would love to others there!!

For more information, check out their Facebook Event here https://facebook.com/events/s/open-house/463774198783867/

Experience Fellowship and Fun at Slumber Falls Work Camp March 4-6!!

February 15, 2022 /

A weekend of service projects around the camp, laughter and friends, and being part of a powerful ministry that changes lives! The weekend is a casual affair where the bulk of the projects are slated for Saturday. If you have special skills or tools/equipment, please contact the camp office for possible projects.

Here are just a few of the projects we have lined up so far:

  • Carpentry / Construction
  • Cleaning / Organizing
  • General Repairs
  • Grounds Keeping
  • Painting
  • Refinishing Floors

For those needing volunteer hours, please bring your form(s) with you.

The cost for the weekend is free. Love offerings are appreciated, but never expected.

Color Splash @ Slumber Falls Camp – An inclusive 4-day camp for LGBTQ+youth

February 15, 2022 /

Slumber Falls Camp continues to be a beacon of hope for children and youth of all ages with its all-inclusive summer programming. This year we are excited to announce a new camp called Color Splash, a four-day, LGBTQ+ focused, summer camp experience.

Color Splash will promote an intentionally safe and brave space that welcomes all youth from our South Central Conference churches, and beyond that to other churches, denominations, and faiths.

Rev. Yadi Martinez, Associate Pastor at New Church – Chiesa Nuova, UCC in Dallas Texas, will be directing the Color Splash Camp for Junior High and Senior High age groups. Programming for both age groups will run parallel, each with its own appropriate age group activities. Programing for these four days will include:

  • Empowering workshops.
  • Open and affirming spiritual and worship opportunities
  • Opportunities in the musical, visual and performing arts

We know that many LGBTQ+ young people face significant challenges, anxiety and fear when participating in Christian or other faith-based programs and camps. Yet we also know the life changing experiences that a camp like Color Splash can offer young people as they seek to live into their true authentic selves. 

Slumber Falls Camp is an inclusive and empowering environment that opens its doors to all LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. Please join us in prayer as Slumber Falls prepares for summer 2022. And let us rejoice as a conference as we continue to be the church, creating a just world for all. 

For more information visit Slumber Falls at  https://slumberfalls.org
Or email at [email protected]

Registration links:Junior High Track
https://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=505&campCode=sfc&idSession=342138

Senior High Track
http://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=505&campCode=sfc&idSession=342154

Upcoming Stewardship Webinars

February 15, 2022 /

Submitted by Rev. Phil Hodson, SCC Conference Minister

As we move through these unusual times in the life of the church, one of the challenges I’m hearing in many of our congregations surrounds giving. Our friends in the Wisconsin Conference have created a series of online stewardship courses to help congregations consider these concerns, and I encourage you to check them out! Each opportunity has a unique registration button so that you can select those most relevant to your local church. These are offered at no cost, and I hope you’ll be able to participate!

  • FEB 23 – YEAR-AROUND STEWARDSHIP
  • APR 27 – 3 BEST PRACTICES FOR INCREASING GIVING
  • MAY 25 – MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGES
  • JULY 27 – BUILDING AN ENDOWMENT
  • AUG 25 – ANNUAL CAMPAIGNS 101
  • SEPT. 28 – NARRATIVE BUDGETS: TELLING YOUR STORY BY THE NUMBERS
  • OCT. 26 – PLANNED GIVING TO SUPPORT MISSION AND MINISTRY

Keep reading for webinar descriptions & session registration…

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