MBCC Blog

get your social justice on!

"Our (working) definition of Social Justice: 

    v.   a process, not an outcome, which 

    (1) seeks fair (re)distribution of resources, opportunities, and responsibilities; 

    (2) challenges the roots of oppression and injustice; 

    (3) empowers all people to exercise self-determination and realize their full potential; and 

    (4) builds social solidarity and community capacity for collective action."

The UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare is hosting a free and open-to-the public event to raise awareness of social justice issues and inspire people to act for social change through action-oriented workshops. 

The event will be held on Saturday, Feburary 6th at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. Click here for more information or to register. You can email Megan with any questions.

 

Church World Service is already in Haiti

With all the news headlines about the earthquake in Haiti, I would like to let folks know that Church World Service is already active in Haiti.  Three-fourths of the $13,000 raised at the 10/18/09 SF CROP Walk was designated to Church World Service, so the money that our SF CROP Walk participants raised was available to immediately help the people in Haiti.

Because Church World Service is already in Haiti, they had staff who were affected by the earthquake.  I am sad to report that one of Church World Service's board members, Rev. Sam Dixon, was killed when he was trapped in the rubble, and we reach out with prayers and support to his family, as well as to numerous others who have been impacted by the disaster.  Be assured that the mission work continues and the need is greater than ever.  Feel free to contact Marc Jung  marc@missionbaycc.org  if you have questions about the SF CROP Walk or Church World Service, and I will try to find answers or put you in touch with Church World Service.

A special word of thanks goes to those who walked or sponsored at the SF CROP Walk, as it enabled Church World Service to help people in Haiti even before the earthquake struck this month.

Peace,

Marc

where my girls at?

Attention all Ladies of MBCC!  It's not too late to sign up for the annual Women's Retreat at Westminster Woods!!

The Woods is a PC(USA)-affiliated summer camp in Sonoma County, about an hour-and-a-half drive North of San Francisco.  Nestled among beautiful trees, rocks, and streams, the Woods is a perfect setting for reconnecting with God, nature, yourself, and your fellow LoM (Ladies of MBCC).

A group of lovely LoM will be attending the January 29-31 retreat led by Rev. Gail Doering. The theme is "Soul Food: Nourishment for the Mind, Body & Spirit." There is no doubt that it will be a weekend of fun, fellowship, music, the great outdoors, delicious food, and Jesus!! Can it get any better? I don't know if it can.

Don't miss it! Click here for more information and to register!

Mission Trip Decision Time!

Hello MBCCers,

As many of you know, we are planning a mission trip for this coming summer.  After meeting with a group of folks, I began a search for sites throughout North America.  I tried to focus on sites that are (relatively) easy to get to, provide a variety of volunteer possibilities, and allow children.  The last factor ended up being the deal breaker for many sites as liability is preventing many places from allowing anyone younger than high school.  So, I have found two options and I would like your feedback.  Send me an email or catch me on Sunday to let me know your thoughts so we can make a decision in the next couple of weeks!

Option 1: Washington DC

There is an organization called The Pilgrimage which houses groups on mission trips and helps to coordinate their volunteer activities.  They have connections with many different organizations and agencies in DC so we could have a wide variety of working experience.  They have dorm-like housing facilities and a kitchen for group use, but in return charge $31 per person per night.  Of course the other major cost would be plane fare, probably around $250 per person depending on when we book.  So, with food, transportation, housing, etc, we'd be looking at probably between $500 and $600 per person.  One big advantage with The Pilgrimage is that mission trips is what they do, so it would hopefully be a very seamless trip.

Option 2: Sacramento

For a much closer option, there is a church just east of Sacramento that could house us, Charmichael Presbyterian. It would be sleeping on the floor, but they do have showers and all.  They have several different regular volunteer activities at the church and connections with many agencies and organizations around Sacto.  We could even do an educational component with a tour of the capitol and some NGO visits, or visit a farm.  Or, if we went during the week of July 12-16, they do a large VBS for the community (150 kids, only 30 of which come from the church).  Otherwise work could work in organizations around the city, with agricultural groups, etc.  Of course this is a much cheaper option and much closer.  This means we could do a shorter or longer trip, or people could even join in late.

.

This is just a glimpse at each site, and I can provide a lot more information if you want.  So, if you are interested in the trip, let me know your thoughts on the site so we can begin more concrete planning!