Page 7 - 2024 June-July Newsletter

Page 7 Southern Pennsylvania District

Happenings around Our District

Community Outreach within our District

 A discussion on Tips for a Safer Community was led by Silver Spring Township Police Officer Amel
Hajdarevic at West Shore Church of the Brethren (WSCOB) in February for the church neighborhood. Tips for
church consideration: 1. an automatic alarm system with cameras, 2. change of key lock for doors at the top of
stairways, 3. push-button panic alarms upstairs and down, and 4. keeping Narcan on hand for opioid overdoses.
General tips: 1. ring cameras for homes, 2. carrying pepper spray, 3. not leaving your purse in the car when shop-
ping, and 4. disposing of unused drugs at the municipal building / police station, and 5. recycling batteries/ worn-
out rechargeable batteries, where appropriately recycled. We handed out invitations to attendees for the
weekly community Lenten Luncheons and our WSCOB Easter services.
 Mechanicsburg COB packs and sends care boxes for their college students. Boxes contain items like treats and
sweet goodies. Recently, the church added computer bags to the boxes that included a special note to each stu-
dent.
 Mechanicsburg COB hosts Burgers & Dogs Community Cookouts, last Saturday of the month, May—
September,12-2. Members of the congregation and the community are encouraged to attend.

Park Chaplaincy Program

This is to remind you that the Nurture Commission works with the Leisure Ministry and the Park Chaplaincy pro-
grams through the PA Council of Churches. This is a program that has been going on for over 60 years and is the
only one of its kind in the country. The SOPA District supports a full time chaplain at the Gifford Pinchot and one at
Codorus State Park from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Harry Davis is the Chaplain for Gifford Pinchot and Amber Ballou is at Codorus. They provide services through
the week and conduct a worship service each Sunday morning. (Services at Gifford Pinchot begin at 10:00 am at the
amphitheater) (Services at Codorus State Park begin at 9:30 am)
They are always looking for volunteers for music, children’s activities, and other projects surrounding the minis-
try. This would be a great place to take a Sunday School class for a Sunday morning experience and picnic. You can
contact Rose Mary Firestone who is the Chairman for Gifford Pinchot to find ways that you can support the Pinchot
ministry. Her contact information is, 717-307-1822 or firestonefunfarm@gmail.com.
We are looking to find interested individuals that are willing to serve on a committee to help Amber at Codorus
State Park. Amber’s telephone number is 717 698-9341 or contact Ellen Yoder, leonellenyoder@gmail.com, District
Nurture Committee Chair, for more information on how to help, . Be praying how you might come along side this
wonderful outreach.
Ellen Yoder, Nurture Committee Chair

Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry
For the last 12-15 years, Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry has relied on your giving at our banquets to provide approx-
imately one-third of our annual operating budget. Over those years, and in particular post COVID, we have experi-
enced a consistent decrease in attendance at the banquets resulting in decreased offerings. Holding a banquet requires
a significant amount of time and funds, and we rely heavily on our sponsors for funding much of the costs involved.
Although we certainly enjoy these banquet times together, it just doesn't make sense to continue them just to finan-
cially break even. As such, the Board of Directors has made the very difficult decision to suspend these fundraising
banquets. However, we still need your continued financial support. We hope that you will consider giving at least as
much as you would give at the banquets. For those of you who have IRAs, please discuss with your tax consultant
about giving directly to the Ministry through Qualified Charitable Donations (QCDs). This is a great way to make
contributions to non-profit organizations without having to pay any tax on the funds withdrawn from your IRA. You
can also donate online anytime at: www.carlisletruckstopministry.org.
We want to thank you for your very generous support of the Ministry, not only financially, but with your prayers.
Our chaplains are on the 'front line' of so many different situations every day. Pray for them to have Godly wisdom
and discernment, and physical health and safety. David D. Bell, Secretary/Treasurer