Milwaukie Lutheran Church -- The Light

Backpack Buddie News

We keep getting surprises all the time as financial support comes from many directions - a Bible study group sends in an offering, Glen Hess set up the opportunity for a percentage of your meal from Sweet Tomatoes went to the program, pew envelopes are being used. The red tub fills up with suggested items. Last year, concerts arranged by Cheryl Drewes and Heidi Grevstad had their proceeds go to support BP Buddies. We have even begun to receive a monthly donation because a non-member's daughter attended Milwaukie Elementary as a child and heard about the Buddie program, some downtown businesses in Milwaukie have sent in donations...Many thanks to all!
Because of your generosity, we are able to send a $25 grocery gift card to be used at Albertson's to help the need Backpack families buy food during the Spring Break week.

We have been able to help other churches begin a program - for example, Prince of Life in Oregon City. We work with other churches - King of Kings is cooperating with us and participates financially and with volunteers.

There are many others to thank - Volunteers who shop for food, who faithfully appear at 3 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month to pack the food, the drivers each week and the picker-uppers of the tubs are faithful, dependable workers. Any questions about Backpack Buddies, contact Marilyn Lease through the church office.

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Annie Ross House

"My Secret Garden". Your kind donations of new tools for cleaning, repairs, and yard work will enable the residents to spruce up their yard and house. Thanks again, and Go with God.

Mike Inman, Community Outreach Ministry Team

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Global Mission Committee

On hunger. Beads on our Lenten cross represent 16,000 children who die daily from hunger.
A request was sent to Council to sign MLC to a hunger resolution for the Synod Assembly encouraging all Oregon Synod churches to reach a goal of $10 per member by 2010. The Committee is also addressing ways to keep all members informed on local Oregon hunger issues. Letter writing as well as attendance at Salem gatherings will be explained and encouraged.

Fair Trade Sunday. On Mother's Day (Sunday May 10), the Committee offers to sponsor the coffee hour as well as host a forum session on Fair Trade. In conjunction with this, we will apply for a Fair Trade grant from the ELCA. This will help us to add SERVV items for sale as well as Fair Trade coffee. We will also order the firm "from Bean to Bar."
Committee members: Ken Zabel, Delores Vilstrup, Marion Rogelstad, Linda Millenbach, Marilyn Lease, and Laura Schroeder.

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Worship and Music

"Christ on Trial" continues through Lent and concludes on Good Friday. We thank Laura, Scott, Paul, Shirley, Mike, Sara, and Greg for their willing participation each Wednesday.

The Committee has given a request to Council to approve one Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. beginning May 24. Pentecost is May 31.

The Committee continues to seek helpers to clean-up after communion at the second service. We thank those who have given their time, and ask you to please consider giving a small amount of time occasionally to assist with this important service to our community.

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Health Ministry Team News
by Patty Shilling, Parish Nurse

Well, March may have been national nutrition month, but with all that Easter candy to tempt us, it's important to keep eating healthy and stay as well and as fit as we can. Learn more about healthy eating and fitness tips by visiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid.gov website: MyPyramid.Gov.

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Outreach Ministry Team
Ideas that work! Action!

People of faith from communities throughout Oregon are concerned about these issues:

Ending Hunger for All Oregonians
Comprehensive Health Care of all Oregonians
Affordable Housing for all Oregonians

Members of Milwaukie Lutheran...It is up to us, as people of faith, to call upon our legislators to take bold action to prevent a dramatic increase in hunger, homelessness, and poverty during the current economic hard times.

Let your senator or your representative hear from you during this time. There are bills going before the legislative assembly to expand health care for children and low-income adults (HB2009); hunger issues, such as expanding the school lunch program and issues concerning critical human services such as programs for seniors. Other issues such as affordable housing (HB2436) are on the agenda. These issues are being addressed now and it's up to you to let your legislators know your feelings.

Legislators want to hear from you. Letters stating your position are the best. Get on your legislator's email newsletter list - click to Legislative Web Site and use the tab for Senate and House to find your legislator's email.

Check out the bulletin board outside the library. Help yourself to handouts regarding bills to be voted on by the legislature. The white handout will help you find your House and Senate representative for your area.
Karen Hicks and Marilyn Lease are co-chairpersons of MLC's Community Outreach Ministry Team and participate in the Lutheran Metro Synod Hunger Leaders' meetings. Information comes to us from the Synod, OFRAH and Bread for the World. Our Community Outreach Ministry Team will meet the first Tuesday in April at 7 p.m. If you are interested in participating in outreach, please join us.