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Christian Witness, Events, , , ,

Songs of the Season Concert to benefit the Oakwood Cooperative, Troy, NY

From friend, Rev. Al Siegel: An important Troy event to help keep the doors of the Oakwood Avenue Presbyterian Church open as a Mission Legacy

As many of you know, for the past 5 years I have served as Temporary Supply for the Oakwood Avenue Presbyterian Church in Troy. Even though last Sunday was their final formal worship service, Albany Presbytery, their Session and Neighborhood Groups are working to keep the building open to serve the community.

There will be a fund raiser on December 11th to raise money toward this service to the community. I cannot over emphasize the importance to the surrounding Troy neighborhood that this mission legacy of Oakwood continues and grows. Tickets for this fund raiser can be bought at the door for $10. Many area musical groups will be sharing “Songs of the Season.”

The Oakwood Cooperative intends to continue to use the Oakwood Ave. Presbyterian Church’s building for a mix of uses important to our community, including AA meetings, nesting a Latino Church, a food pantry, to creative new uses including hosting musical rehearsals, meditation or yoga classes, spiritual teachers from different traditions, neighborhood meetings and more. To support this effort, the Cooperative is hosting a Songs of the Season Concert on Sunday, December 11th at 7 p.m., Oakwood Avenue Presbyterian Church, 313 10th Street, Troy, NY.

The concert features local musicians and choral groups. The featured acts will include the RPI Concert Choir, The Tuba Christmas Ensemble (Tuba and Baritone Horns from the Colonie Town Band), The Amerose, The Uncle Sam Chorus, The Brothers Tazer, Acoustic guitarist Steve Anderson and more.

Call Rev. Al Siegel at 518-785-0116 for advance tickets, posters or more information.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , ,

Of your prayers for health and healing

I ask of all my readers your prayers for two priests of the Polish National Catholic Church, Father Augustin Sicard and Father Amaro Rojas of Saint Marin and Saint Rose Parish in San Antonio, Texas.

Father Amaro, together with his wife Rosie, and their children Fernanda and Regina, have prayerfully considered a great and generous gift to Father Augustin. By the grace of God, Fr. Amaro felt the call to donate one of his kidneys to Father Augustine. Both priests underwent the transplant procedure this past week.

The generosity of the Puerto Rican community in San Antonio, and a number of parish members, has also become evident in that they have gathered to help raise funds for both priest’s costs.

Father Augustine made a promise to Our Lady, to shave his head completely when the final decision was made for the transplant.

O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, everlasting God, who by pouring the grace of Thy blessing upon sick bodies, dost preserve by Thy manifold goodness, the work of Thy hands; graciously draw near to us as we call upon Thy name, beseeching Thee to behold, visit, heal and deliver from sickness Thy priests Augustine and Amaro, and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercy, look with favor upon them, grant unto them patience, strengthen them by Thy might, defend them by Thy power, cast out from them all pain of mind and body, and mercifully restore them full health both inwardly and outwardly, that having recovered by the help of Thy loving kindness, they may be enabled to return again to their daily ministry and glorify Thee in Thy Holy Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer for a Sick Person from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.

Current Events, Events, ,

Tax-Exempt Organizations May Loose Their Exempt Status

From the IRS: Reminder: Tax-Exempt Organizations Can Preserve Exempt Status by Filing Returns by October 15 Due Date

A crucial filing deadline of October 15 is looming for many tax-exempt organizations. Most tax-exempt organizations, other than churches, must file an annual return or electronic notice (Form 990-N) with the IRS. If an organization does not file as required for three consecutive years, the law provides that it automatically loses its tax-exempt status.

Small nonprofit organizations at risk of losing their tax-exempt status because they failed to file required returns for 2007, 2008, and 2009 can preserve their status by filing returns by October 15, 2010 under a one-time relief program. Two types of relief are available for small exempt organizations — a filing extension for the smallest organizations required to file Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard), and a voluntary compliance program (VCP) for small organizations eligible to file Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. Find complete information about eligibility and program requirements on IRS.gov.

The IRS has issued a Special Edition Tax Tip and a News Release to help nonprofit organizations take advantage of the one-time relief program and maintain their tax-exempt status. In addition, you can find information you can use to help organizations that may be at risk of losing their tax-exempt status at IRS.gov.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Events, Perspective, Political, , , , , ,

Jobs Crisis March

Are you concerned about the crisis of jobs? If so, join Interfaith Worker Justice at the One Nation Working Together rally in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, October 2.

The rally, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall from noon to 4 p.m., will have terrific speakers, music and informational tables. Four hours is not too long to make a stand for jobs. Please bring your friends and family. The turnout for the rally will demonstrate the extent of concern about the unemployment crisis. The bigger the turnout, the louder message, which will mean more media coverage and greater political impact.

If you want to meet up before the rally and go together, meet at IWJ’s Capitol Hill townhouse at 404 4th Street, NE at 11 a.m. After the rally, plan on stopping by the townhouse around 4:30 p.m. for some snacks and fellowship. Again, the address is 404 4th Street, NE – a short walk up Massachusetts Avenue from Union Station.

Christian Witness, PNCC, ,

Man of faith – Roger Deffner

The Wausau Daily Herald honors Roger Deffner from Our Savior National Catholic Church in Mosinee, Wisconsin in its People of Faith column.

Church: Our Savior National Catholic Church, Mosinee

Ministry: Coordinates many of the activities offered at Our Savior

Motivation: “I help wherever they need help,” Deffner said. “I use my kitchen skills whenever and wherever I can for my church. I try to get young people involved at the start of each festivity. We bring our ideas to the table, and then decide how things should get done. I’m an active doer and enjoy helping others. I like helping people — in my law business and in my religion. To help people — that’s what the Bible is all about.”

Deffner, the Rev. Marion Talaga and a team of other volunteers will prepare a pancake feed with traditional Polish potato pancakes using Talaga’s recipe, and blueberry pancakes and sausage, serving from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 2 in the basement at Our Savior National Catholic Church, 706 Ninth St., Mosinee. The day will include a bake sale and pierogi sale. Pierogi orders will be taken at the church office, 715-693-2241; $4.50 per dozen.

Christian Witness, Perspective, ,

What is mission, what is presence?

From Kenny Be at Denver Westword: Vandalized St. Francis statute unable to lend a hand to animals:
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This week, the St. Francis of Assisi National Catholic Church in southeast Denver will be presented with a new statue to replace their five-foot-tall front door figurine of St. Francis that was stolen on July 30. Meanwhile, the St. Francis of Assisi statue residing with The Sisters of Penance and Christian Charity in Chaffee Park shall just have to try to come to grips with the rationale of being left limbless and ignored for years…
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Standing before a rock wall at the intersection of West 52nd Ave. and Federal Blvd., the St. Francis statue… is hidden from the view of the Marycrest caretaker’s house just barely seen through the trees. The overgrowth of vegetation and lack of repair suggest that the Marycrest mission may (once again) be in transition. A quick Internet search reveals that the Sisters have sold the property to developers for affordable housing.

A look at the Aria Denver website for the Marycrest development intimate that future plans for the limbless statue include removal of the remaining body parts and complete replacement with an asphalt parking lot and strip mall. Since the statue has not been converted into a curbside nail salon/income tax/doggy daycare sign holder insinuates that there may be little need for new retail development at the location at this time.

The build-out of the proposed eighty co-housing units and 120 apartments planned for the Aria Denver project was supposed to be completed by 2010, thereby hinting that the project is experiencing a slowdown, possibly due to a weak housing market.

The unwillingness to replace the hands on the statue indicate that the property’s current managers believe that the improved economic conditions needed to make this development a success can be achieved without St. Francis’s prayers.

Two sisters from the congregation that owned the property commented on the post. They indicate that the statue had been repeatedly vandalized, and then offered the “well we are the hands of Francis” justification for leaving things as they are. They then go on to indicate that the property’s new owners will be “the hands of Francis.”

I imagine something quite different, amounting to an abdication of responsibility for the statue, the property (note the overgrown/unkept part of the article), and for their mission in this distressed area of Denver.

Where are the sisters of days gone by who did real missionary work, real charity, and real acts of courage? Why aren’t they providing education and healthcare services to the poor in Denver. The hands of Francis appear to be off doing backpacking and camping retreats, massage therapy, community blessings (with a feather, of course), handing the Eucharist off to each other (no priest or deacon necessary), and tying “universal ribbons.” All that’s missing is a labyrinth and a Reiki session. The one good and courageous thing I found in their resume was a home for Lakota children – close to their original missions of education and healthcare. I believe that the order’s foundress would find something lacking.

My suggestions: get proper habits, focus on one or two core missions (once again), and stop trying to be every ministry needed in the world. Humility calls you to remember that the totality of the Church’s ministry is not present in, or channeled through, you.

Events, Political, , , ,

Human Service Nonprofits and Government Collaboration

The Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy and the National Center for Charitable Statistics announces the upcoming release of Human Service Nonprofits and Government Collaboration: Findings from the 2010 National Survey of Nonprofit Government Contracting and Grants on Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 9:00 – 10:30 am at The Urban Institute, 2100 M Street NW, 5th Floor, Katharine Graham Conference Facility, Washington, DC 20037

Please join The Urban Institute for the release of findings from the first national survey documenting the extent of government contracting and grants with human service organizations and problems experienced by nonprofits that contract with governments at the local, state and national levels. There will be discussion of the impact of the recession on these nonprofits and the interaction of contracting problems, such as late payments, and the cutbacks organizations have made to keep their programs operating during the recession.

A panel of experts from the nonprofit and public sectors will talk about the realities on the ground, policy implications and the future of nonprofit-government relations. Additional information and a formal invitation from the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy will be forthcoming. Please contact Pho Palmer with questions at (202) 261-5397.

Christian Witness, Perspective, Political,

Replant an olive tree in Palestine

Stand with Farmers — Replant an Olive Tree!

The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation is proud to partner with Canaan Fair Trade to replant olive trees in Palestine, especially in this special season of charitable giving, centered on Muslim and Jewish holidays.

You can help Palestinian farmers remain steadfast on their land and nonviolently resist Israeli occupation by donating to replant an olive tree.

For centuries, olive trees have formed the backbone of Palestinian agriculture. Yet, as part of its illegal military occupation, Israel has systematically uprooted them by the thousands to clear land for illegal Israeli settlements, apartheid fences and walls, and to dispossess Palestinian farmers of their lands and livelihoods.

For every $25 tax-deductible contribution to support the work of the US Campaign, we will replant one olive tree in Palestine. Donate $100 and we replant five. Make your tax-deductible contribution today.

After receiving your donation, the US Campaign and Canaan Fair Trade will electronically send you a Trees for Life certificate. You can replant a tree in your name or in honor of a loved one. Just let us know how you’d like the certificate to read. Click here to replant an olive tree today.

Remember that it is our taxpayer dollars ($3 billion of annual military aid to Israel) that have financed the Israeli army’s purchase of Caterpillar bulldozers and heavy machinery used to uproot trees. Please make your tax-deductible contribution to the US Campaign today so that we can both help replant olive trees and continue our work to end U.S. support for Israeli abuses of Palestinian human rights.

To make a donation by phone, call 202-332-0994. Or mail a check, cashier’s check or money order to: US Campaign, PO Box 21539, Washington, DC 20009. Be sure to indicate “Replanting Olive Trees Campaign” on your check, and the name to be printed on the certificate.

Additionally, for even more serious solidarity with the olive farmers, anyone can travel to Palestine for the 2010 Olive Harvest Campaign of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a US Campaign member group.

Events, PNCC, , ,

Events and happenings

Spaghetti Dinner: At Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 1040 Pearl St., Schenectady, NY from 4 – 7 pm on Saturday, September 11th.

Harvest Festival: Holy Mother of Sorrows PNC Church will hold their 34th Annual Polish Harvest “Dozynski” Festival and Giant Flea Market on the parish grounds at 212 Wyoming Ave, Dupont, PA.

A flea market will be held on Saturday, Sept.11, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with many local vendors. Refreshments will be served throughout the day.

On Sunday, Sept. 12, the Harvest Festival will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until dusk The blessing of the harvest wreath will be held with a procession from the grounds to the church beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Live entertainment will be provided by Joe Lastovica and the Polka Punch from 3:00 to 6:00. On the menu will be homemade Polish favorites: potato pancakes, pierogies, haluski, piggies, American foods hot dogs, hamburgers, plus much more. There will be games for all ages, theme baskets, 50/50 bingo, art and crafts a children youth stand, baked goods, a parish raffle and a country store with fruits and vegetables. All are invited. Admission is free.

Chicken Barbecue Dinner: At the Polish National Catholic Church of the Tranfiguration, 135 Hathaway St., Wallington, NJ on Saturday, September 25th from 4 to 6pm. Eat in or take out. Tickets are $8. The reservation deadline is September 22nd. Please call Ed Kotula at 973-773-4090 for tickers and reservations.

Pasta Dinner: To Celebrate Jill Donovan’s Fight Against Cancer on Saturday, October 16th from 5 – 9pm at the Greenwood Hose Co. Banquet Hall, 3727-41 Birney Ave, Moosic, PA. Take-outs will be available from 4 – 6pm. For tickets or donation information call: Carol Shuminski at 570-343-0946 or Mary Ann Donovan at 570-346-3949.

Christian Witness, PNCC,

Good news at St. Francis Parish in Denver

From the Denver Post: St. Francis church getting new statue of namesake to replace stolen piece

St. Francis, the statue, will soon rejoin his flock at St. Francis of Assisi National Catholic Church in southeast Denver, after donors pitched in the $3,500 to replace a statue stolen on July 30.

The 5-foot-tall statue had greeted the congregation in front of the small church on South Jersey Street south of Leetsdale Drive for 18 years.

The new statue will be in place the week of Sept. 19, the Rev. John Kalabokes said Sunday. A dedication is planned on Sept. 26 after the 9 a.m. Mass. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals, so a blessing of the animals will be held with the dedication, Kalabokes said.

The congregation of about 50 members, most of them on fixed incomes, appealed for help in finding the stolen statue, which has not turned up. Then donors, many of them from outside the church, stepped in to replace it.

A special prayer of thanksgiving for all who stepped up to help in replacing the statue.

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