04494
November 5, 2004

$35,000 goes to community programs

Rural ministry grants will help youth, seniors and farmers

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE — A Presbyterian Rural Ministry Network task group has awarded grants totaling $35,000 to 15 community-enrichment projects around the country.

      The grants went to programs involving young people or the elderly — farm-related programs — while others were awarded to projects involving parish nursing or health care.

      “These projects are evidence of the hope offered by rural communities and churches as they work together to respond to human need,” said Diana Stephen, associate for network support for rural and small church ministries for the Presbyterian Church (USA). “Even when resources are limited, creative mission thrives among rural people who are committed to discerning God’s call and witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

      The PC(USA)’s Rural Ministry Network is a voluntary association of people throughout the church involved or interested in rural ministry. The network chose the grant recipients during a Sept. 28 conference call. The grant program was created by action of the 1991 General Assembly and has awarded annual grants since 1992.

      Money is derived from the budget of the Evangelism and Church Development office of the National Ministries Division.

      The programs receiving grants:

• Marcus Heritage Gateway Park Project, Marcus, WA (Inland Northwest Presbytery, Synod of Alaska Northwest): $2,000 to support the purchase of recreational gear to equip a newly refurbished facility that will provide the region with recreational and cultural opportunities.
  
• Venedocia Community Care Ministries, Venedocia, OH (Maumee Valley Presbytery, Synod of the Covenant): $500 to purchase equipment and promote this new program, which will provide fellowship opportunities for senior citizens and foster relationships between seniors and younger members of the community.
  
• Session of Hope, Gowrie, IA (North Central Iowa Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and Prairies): $2,000 to support the initiation of a farm couples support group sponsored by the Countryside Cooperative Parish and other agencies, and to provide referral services as required.
  
• Parish Nursing Program, Bathgate, ND (Northern Plains Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and Prairies): $3,000 to help establish the parish nursing program through the purchase of office furniture, equipment and materials.
  
•  Wee Care, Cooperstown, ND (Northern Plains Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and Prairies): $3,000 to assist with purchase of supplies and equipment for the Center, which serves Griggs County in east central North Dakota.
  
• Joy of Music, DeSmet, SD (South Dakota Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and Prairies): $3,000 to support instructors and the purchase of materials for the project, which will introduce youth and adults to music instruction.
  
• Marcus Presbyterian Church, Howes, SD (South Dakota Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and Prairies): $2,000 to support the purchase of equipment, Bible study materials, Christian education materials, and recreational materials to enhance the community churches’ ability to reach out to ranch families in the drought-stricken region in western South Dakota.
  
•  The Language Cooperative, Wolsey, SD (South Dakota Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and Prairies): $2,000 to support the purchase of equipment and materials that will enhance Spanish language classes to be offered to youth and adults from several rural communities in east central South Dakota.
  
• Buying Food From Family Farms, Elwood, IL (Blackhawk Presbytery, Synod of Lincoln Trails): $3,000 to support the production of a directory for the general population that will encourage people to buy directly from farmers in the area.
  
• Agape House, Middletown, MO (Missouri Union Presbytery, Synod of Mid-America): $3,000 to support this program, which will provide a safe haven for families visiting loved ones in the nearby prison facilities of northeast Missouri.
  
• Social Action to the Martinica Community, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (Northwest Presbytery, Synod of Puerto Rico): $2,000 to support this community organization project aimed at bringing together a variety of people and organizations to improve the physical features of the community and enhance services.
  
• Asilo Manantial De Amor, Inc., Guanica, Puerto Rico (Southwest Presbytery, Synod of Puerto Rico): $3,000 to support a meal program for this project, which reaches out to the elderly.
  
• Seniors Home “Nehemias,” Lajas, Puerto Rico (Southwest Presbytery, Synod of Puerto Rico): $3,000 to support this program and purchase equipment for the senior citizens home.
  
• Pocano REACH After School Learning Center, Tobyhanna, PA (Lehigh and Lackawanna presbyteries, Synod of the Trinity): $3,000 to support an after-school learning center program for latchkey students, where they can develop positive attitudes toward education, the arts, recreation, their community and themselves.
  
• Community Alliance to Support Education, Belle, WV (West Virginia Presbytery, Synod of the Trinity): $500 to support this program, which will provide tutoring in the areas of reading, language, writing and math.