Mission - 25 Ideas and Activities

1. Take a mission trip to a disaster recovery site.
Volunteer work groups are needed for clean-up and Rebuilding efforts following US. disasters. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has information on where groups are needed. Call PresbyTel at 1-800-872-3283 visit http://pda.pcusa.org.

2. Have a Blanket Sunday.
$5.00 purchases a blanket through the Church World Service (CWS) Blanket program The Blanket Program support a variety of self-help textile-oriented development projects and provides blankets for use in disaster situations. Call PresbyTel 1-800-872-3283 or Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 502-569-5806.

3. Play the Uprooted Game.
Understand some of the realities faced by refugees fleeing from danger as they leave their homes. Order #74 340 98 007 from Presbyterian Distribution Service 1-800-524-2612. ($3.00)

4. Buy a new atlas.
Does your map show you where Bosnia is? Can you find both Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan? Do you still see a country called Zaire? Give yourself a quick refresher course in world geography.

5. Speak up for justice.
December 10 is Human Rights Day. Contact the Presbyterian United Nations Office, a part of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, for information on advocacy related to the issue of human rights and issues related to Just Peacemaking. 212-697-4568 or 502-569-5784.

6. Be a mission communicator.
Share the information received through PDA Rapid Information Network with your congregation.

7. Shop fair.
Sponsor a SERRV sale. The jewelry, crafts and other items sold through SERRV promotes the social and economic progress of people in developing countries. Call 1-800-723-3712 or visit www.serrv.org.

8. What a day!
World Food Day is observed worldwide annually on October 16 as a time to raise public awareness about Hunger, its causes and solutions. Visit www.gsu.edu/~wwwwfd.

9. A novel idea.
Read a story from the developing world. Some of our favorites: The God of Small by Arundhati Roy, One hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebc, In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, and Thc Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh.

10. Take a walk.
Join a CROP Walk, anti-hunger fundraisers sponsored by Church World Service in hundreds of communities nationwide 1-888-CWS-CROP or www.ncccusa.org/cws.

11. See for yourself.
The PC(USA) offers various ways for presbyterian to engage in mission for periods ranging from one month to three year's or more. Consider taking a travel study seminar through the Presbyterian Peacemaking program 1-800-338-4987 or Mission Service Recruitment. Call 1-800-779-6779 or www.pcusa.org/msr.

12. Watch the world Go by.
Rent a video that brings the world into your living room. We give a thumbs up to: Romero, Ghandi, The Year of living Dangerously, Salaam Bombay! Gorillas in the Mist, A dry White Season, El Norte, THe Killing Fields, Rangoon, and The Burning Season.

13. Get to know your sisters and brothers.
Christians in other countries and cultures have a variety of gifts to offer and faith experiences to share for the sake of the mission and unity of the church. Suggest the possibility of developing a mutual mission relationship with an international congregation to your Presbytery's mission or other appropriate committee.

14. Dance to a different drummer.
Take break from American and European music: ask your local record dealer for suggestions.

15. Welcome a refugee.
Every year, thousands of refugees from across the globe are resettled in the US. They have fled great danger and endoured tremendous hardships-help them feel at home in your town or city. Click on "Refugees" at www.interaction.org to learn more about refugees or contact Bertram Emeka Ekwue at 888-728-7228 ext 5796 to obtain information on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) resettlement program.

16. Assemble Gift of the Heart Kits.
Little things mean a lot - especially when everything has been lost due to a disaster. The simple, small things contained in the CWS Gift of the Heart kits reach people all over the world wherever there has been a disaster and help people begin the recovery process. Call PresbyTel 1-800-872-3283 or Click on "How to Help" at http://pda.pcusa.org.

17. Host a sustenance meal.
Sharing a simple meal of soup and bread can help focus on hunger in your community and around the world. Contact the Presbytery Hunger Program 1-800-334-0434 or www.pcusa.org/pcusa/wmd/hunger.

18. Tell Congress you care.
"How to be an Effective Advocate: Making Our Voices Heard" from The Presbyterian Washington Office provides tips on how to communicate effectively with congress and the administration through letter, phone calls and Call 202-543-1126 or visit the Washington Office website.

19. Host a global house guest.
Provide friendship and hospitality to international students for two weeks during christmas holidays. Contact Christmas International House, P.O. Box 764, Tucker, GA 30085 or call 770-938-4291.

20. Hunger has a cure.
Presbyterian young people are doing a lot to help alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes. Order the CD-ROM from the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) 1-800-334-0434 or visit the PHP web site.

21. Spread the news.
Write a letter to the editor, call radio and TV stations and ask them to increase their international news coverage. The Presbyterian Washington Office can provide information on current issues before Congress. Call 202-543-1126 or visit the Washington Office website.

22. Be an advocate for migrants.
Members of the National Immigration Forum's Action Network help educate Opinion leaders and community groups about the role of migrants in our nation's History, economy, culture and History communities. 202-544-0004 or visit their site www.immigrationforum.org.

23. Play the World Game.
3-1/2 hour game in which team players represent different continents and use a giant world map as their game board. The goal: solve global problems. 800-220-4252 or www.worldgame.org (where you can play "NetWorld Game").

24. The Refugee Experience.
This high school curriculum uses stories, factsheets, readings, a teacher's guide and a video to introduce students to refugee life centers. Visit the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR) web site.

25. Pray.
In your worship and private devotions, pray for people who are living in an area which has experienced disaster. Use the Mission Yearbook to pray for PC(USA) partners and mission workers.