Mission & Justice Updates – December 2019

Mission and Justice for December 2019

PACC Sponsored Holiday Outreach programs

THE CHRISTMAS FUND – UCC

For over 100 years, the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a way to ensure that a light of love and hope will always shine for faithful servants of our church who find themselves facing unforeseen financial need.

On Christmas Eve PACC will receive our usual PACC offering and offerings for The Christmas Fund. Please use designated envelopes in the pew for The Christmas Fund offerings. Any loose offerings on Christmas Eve will be designated to The UCC Christmas Fund.

HOLIDAY HELPERS

Organized by the Town of Arlington, gifts go to Arlington families that need a little help this holiday season to make their children’s wishes come true. This year PACC received the “Wish Lists” for 4 children. A 14-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, a 6-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl. Sign up will continue until all gifts have been spoken for by a church member or a monetary donation has been given to the Holiday Helper fund. Look for Lauren Evans in the Parish Hall after church.

CITY MISSION’S CHRISTMAS SHOP

City Mission helps to identify persons in need of holiday assistance in the local metropolitan area. At PACC, we can help by donating NEW items like winter coats and winter gear, gift cards from local merchants (Target, Kohls, etc.) and toys. There is also an opportunity to help sort and pack the gifts at First Church in Winchester on 12/8 and 12/15. See Mike Rich in the Parish Hall after church for more information.

NEW ENGLAND CENTER AND HOME FOR VETERANS

PACC will participate in the gift card program for NECHV. You can donate purchased gift cards or give cash for us to purchase gift cards and pass along.

Look for Jill Lewis in the Parish Hall after church. Deadline for this program is Sun., Dec. 22nd  

Immigration Justice

At Town Day we collected additional funds for Boston Immigration Justice and Accompaniment Network (BIJAN, pronounced Beyond)’s clothing, accessory, and snack packages for migrants being released from ICE detention in the greater Boston area and so once again you can donate funds for us to purchase or donate the following items:

  • Plain T-shirts (sizes small and medium are needed most), new or in great condition;
  • New socks;
  • Shoe laces;
  • Belts;
  • Visa gift cards;
  • Quarters;
  • Tooth brushes;
  • Travel size toothpaste, tissues, hand sanitizers, pillows; and
  • Nutritious, non-perishable snacks.

Also talk to Cindy Manson or Mike Rich about what else our group is doing with Beyond and the Mass. Conference UCC Immigration, Refugee and Asylum Task Team – https://www.macucc.org/immigration

 

Economic Justice / Easing Food Insecurity / Homelessness

Arlington EATS Market – Food Sunday – December 1st 

Please bring donations of unexpired, unopened, non-perishable food and personal care items for the Arlington EATS Market (formerly known as Arlington Food Pantry) to church. Please leave your donations under the table in the narthex (Wollaston Avenue entry) on your way into the sanctuary Sunday morning..

They urge no glass containers and, according to www.arlingtoneats.org/help/donate-food, can always use the following standard sized staple items (* Items in high demand):

*Breakfast foods (Cereal/oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup)

*Coffee/tea

Cooking oil

Baking goods (sugar, flour, honey, cake mixes)

Peanut butter and jelly (plastic jars)

Canned protein (Tuna, salmon, chicken, spam)

*Spaghetti sauce (plastic jars) and canned tomatoes

Meals in a can (beef stew, chili, ravioli, etc.)

*Taco kits

*Crackers, cookies, granola bars

*Personal care items (toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner)

*Household supplies (laundry detergent, dish soap)

You may also donate by check payable to PACC or cash in a pew envelope noting that the funds are for “EATS”.

Remember to spread the word about PACC’s Beer and Hymn Sing event on October 19th to benefit Arlington EATS!

NEAT (Neighbors Eating All Together)

Check https://neatarlington.org/ for the next NEAT dinner at St. John’s Church (74 Pleasant St.) usually fourth Saturdays, from 5 pm-6 pm. This is a community dinner — open to all and free of charge.

PACC has been given the opportunity to participate in a donation and multi-generational Holiday Build A Bed event as part of their A Bed for Every Child program – Saturday, December 7 10:00 AM to Noon, at their Lynn facility.

See https://www.abedforeverychild.org for more information and talk to Mike Rich if you are interested in being part of a PACC Build a Bed Team.

Racial Justice Issues

PACC invites you to participate in the Arlington 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance. Please follow this link for the flyer.

MLK Birthday Observance 2020

See Mass. Conference Racial Justice news and resources at https://www.macucc.org/racejustice

PACC’s Connection to Our Denomination

“The churches and people of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ have a very long history of looking at the world and prayerfully working to make it a better place.”

See what is going on in the Mass. Conference and the wider church on Justice and Witness issues here: https://www.macucc.org/changingourworld