Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

                The news from Southeast Asia continues to be grim in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami which hit the region on December 26.  The needs of the millions of survivors are great, and the love of God compels us to extend ourselves beyond the ordinary to reach out in love and support.

 

                Having exhausted its supply of Health Kits,Church World Service has issued an urgent appeal for more Health Kits to be distributed in the disaster area.  The National Capital Presbytery Disaster Response Team is coordinating an effort among our congregations to help meet this need, and we encourage each congregation to participate to the best of its ability.  We know the generosity of our congregations and are setting a goal of at least 2,500 kits to be sent to the CWS Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland.  We believe that our congregations, working together, can exceed this goal!

 

                To assist the congregations in this effort we have recruited six churches to serve as drop-off sites for the health kits.  Please drop off your health kits at one of the locations listed below by January 24.  Call the location nearest you to determine the best time to drop off your kits.  The kits will then be gathered from the sites and taken up to Church World Service. 

 

                The items needed for a health kit are also listed below.  Some churches will make this a Sunday School or Youth Group activity.  (This is something in which children can really become actively involved!)  Others will have a drive to bring in items as people come to worship.  Mission groups, Women’s groups, Men’s groups, Bible studies, can all lend a hand.  Be creative!  Most of all, be loving.

 

                If you have already donated some Health Kits, or prefer to deliver them yourself, please let us know what you have done so that we can add them to our total.

 

                May the God who has given us so many blessings, fill all our hearts with the love which stirs us to give beyond what is convenient. 

 

In Christ’s love,

 

Merritt N. Schatz, Disaster Response Coordinator, NCP

                                                               

 

Health Kits

 

1 hand towel                                         1 bath size bar of soap

1 washcloth                                           1 toothbrush

1 comb                                                   1 tube toothpaste (4-7 oz)

1 Metal nail file                                     6 Band-Aids

 

Seal all items in a one gallon bag with zipper closure

 

Please add $1 per bag to assist with shipping and processing (do not put $1 in the bags – clip a check to Church World Service or check or cash to National Capital Presbytery noting that it is for the Health Kits project, please).  If you or your church are donating a number of Health Kits, you may write one check for the total number. 

 

If you prefer, you may donate $12, and CWS will assemble a Health Kit for you.  To exercise this option, simply write a check, make it payable to National Capital Presbytery, and mail it to National Capital Presbytery, 8401Connecticut Avenue, Suite 805, Chevy Chase, MD 20814.  Note on the check: Health Kits.

 

Drop off sites:

 

Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church                                   Georgetown Presbyterian Church

201 Fourth St. SE                                                                  3115 P St., NW

Washington, DC                                                                  Washington, DC

202-547-8676                                                                         202-338-1644

 

Darnestown Presbyterian Church                   Warner Memorial Church

15120 Turkey Foot Road                                                     10123 Connecticut Ave.

Darnestown, MD                                                                 Kensington, MD

301-948-9127                                                                         301-949-2900

 

Burke Presbyterian Church                                            Fairlington Presbyterian Church

5690 Oak Leather Dr.                                                           3846 King St.

Burke, VA                                                                              Alexandria, VA 

703-764-0456                                                                         703-931-7344

 

Shalom.