The PNWAC Peace with Justice Program
has announced that the following grants are being awarded on
Peace with Justice Sunday, May 18.

UMC/Nepal – Currently the pastors of some 30 UMC congregations are receiving their first training in “Methodism” from 5 PNWAC pastors who are in Katmandu for 10 days, May 13 – 23.   A Peace with Justice grant will help provide travel expenses for the  Nepal clergy.  -  $1,500.

Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp  -    A joint summer project of Associated Ministries (Tacoma) and Interfaith Works (Olympia) teaching youth pathways to peace and justice. - $1,000.

Interfaith Association of Northeastern Washington (Everett) – Weekly training for parents of 40 homeless families in successful parenting; expanding to Spanish language service - $1,000.

Bethlehem Bible College – Collection of peace and justice books for their library to facilitate seminar programs on peace and reconciliation.  $1,000.

Peace Fair – Des Moines UMC, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Pax Christi of Philomena Catholic Church – Co-sponsors of annual South King County fair featuring displays, handouts, publicity, and speakers on global poverty, homelessness, peace, etc.  Congressional staffers have served as past speakers. - $250.00

Kairos Torch Outside – Facilitates Christian ministry to incarcerated Washington youth, aged 13 to 21 years, and children of incarcerated adults through safe assemblage and mentoring - $1,000

Goldendale UMC – “Backpack Program” provides nutritious, non-perishable food for children of families below poverty level on week-ends when school lunches are not available.  (Klickitat County has highest poverty level in state)  Latino and Native American children predominate among 72 currently being served weekly by this small church - $1,000.

Toppenish UMC – Two parallel programs are used to counter gang influences among community youth: (1) “Paintouts” when youth paint over town graffiti several week-ends per year, and (2) parenting program when at risk Hispanic youth are invited into church with parents for dialog, speakers, and dinner - $500.
Church of Mary Magdalene – Homeless women in downtown Seattle are provided food and shelter, along with skills training, spiritual and pastoral care in a respectful community of faith - $500.

Welcoming/Reconciling Interest Group – This group in the Vancouver Heights UMC seeks to arrange a series of presentations on gay, lesbian, and transgender topics and to add related literature to the church library - $250.

Earth Ministry (Seattle) – Over 100 Puget Sound area Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations are being mobilized in a religious response to global warming.  Working relationships are being developed between these communities through a steering committee, forming the new Washington Interfaith Power and Light - $900.

 

Rev. Robert E. Hughes
Peace with Justice Coordinator
May 14, 2008