News this Week: November 21

News This Week from Northaven Church.
Click here.

In this issue:

Thanksgiving Sunday
Advent is Coming!
Alternative Christmas Giving
Family Advent Event
Pledge Campaign Reminder

Email update from JoAn Dwyer

Below is an email update from Northaven member, JoAn Dwyer, about our mission in Guatemala...

Dear Friends,
As the year draws to a close, we are planning the 2010 projects for ODIM. Guatemalans are feeling the same economic crunch that is felt worldwide. For the Tzu'tujil and Quiche' people we work with along the southwest border of Lake Atitlan, it is manifested in no jobs and no food for the family. The need for the clinic in San Juan has been obvious as we have had 1150 patient visits since we opened April 13. This represents 511 families, mostly from San Juan La Laguna and San Pablo La Laguna. Majority of our patients are women and children.

On Tuesday, Nov 3 in San Pablo the medical team from Colorado saw Veronica, a seriously dehydrated and malnourished 2-year-old girl who weighed 15 pounds. On Monday morning the mother followed up at the clinic in San Juan, bringing all 4 of her children (ages 2-11) because she is afraid to leave them at home with their abusive father. We provided money for transportation, vitamins and shoes for all 5 of them, and more Carnation Instant Breakfast for Veronica. Mom will be coming back to the clinic to ensure health for her children.

Please help us to continue the necessary services we are providing through ODIM by making a contribution. There are lots of Veronicas here who depend on us. We believe that by working together, we can make a difference in the 2 small villages of San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna.

You may send your check, payable to Interfaith Action International to
Dale Conger-Cross
Interfaith Action International
2850 Skyline Dr.
Lemon Grove, CA 91945

Thank you in advance for your support..........and your prayers.
With deep gratitude,
JoAn Dwyer
Mary Micikas

Individual Volunteers in Mission
United Methodist Church
Guatemala

P.S. Please send us an email with the date and amount of your gift.
--
ODIM Organizacion para Desarrollo de la Indigena Maya
Callejon Cho'Cruz 0-25
Barrio Jucanya
Panajachel, Guatemala, C.A.
Cell Phone: 011 502 5215-8608
(in Guatemala, dial 5215-8608)

Christ Foundry Groundbreaking

Please join our friends at the Christ Foundry Church for their groundbreaking ceremony:

Sunday, November 15 at 3 pm.

Parking will be at Walnut Hill UMC. Please arrive early so that you can catch the shuttle buses to the Christ Foundry location. There will be no parking onsite, as it's a construction area.

Park at:

Walnut Hill UMC
10066 Marsh Lane
Dallas, TX 75229
(See map below...)

For years now, the members and friends of Christ Foundry have dreamed of a new church building. That building is now becoming a reality!



Northaven has been proud to be one of the original partner churches with Christ's Foundry, and celebrates this milestone with them. We've helped in the fundraising, through the "Bell Campaign" that raised more than 30 bells for the project.

Here's a video about the great things happening at Christ's Foundry:



Hope to see you there!

Here's a map to Walnut Hill UMC


View Larger Map

Texas POWs Bound By Survival

Northavener Janice Henderson had a nice story on KERA this morning, detailing the lives of World War II POWs from Jack County.

Find the link here.

From the KERA website:

"On Veteran's Day, we commemorate the men and women who have served our country. But for one group of Veterans who survived as Japanese prisoners of war, today is a reminder of the strength and sacrifice that formed the foundation of a bond that still exists today. Freelance writer Janice Henderson has more"

Luther Prunty, one of the men interviewed for this story, is the father of Northavener, Gail Bialas. The Henderson's and Gail's family have family homes very near each other in Jack County, but did not meet until they were all members of Northaven...and did not know the family connection until very recently!

Thanks, Janice, for putting this out there!

A good reminder on Veteran's Day.

Pictures from the Texas Freedom Network event with Charles Haynes

Thursday night, Northaven hosted an incredible event with Dr. Charles Haynes of the First Amendment Center. Sponsored by the Texas Freedom Network, Dr. Haynes talked about issues of separation of Church and State and, specifically, current issues in Texas regarding social studies standards for Texas schoolchildren.







Click here to see pictures from this event.

More than 200 persons attended the event. We're grateful to our friends at the Texas Freedom Network for such quality events for people of faith.

Video from the Celebration Garden Consecration

Here is a short video of our consecration for the Celebration Garden. This event took place on All Saints Sunday, November 1, 2009.



Many thanks to Elaine Wiant for shooting the video on her iPod Nano!

Allen Ross Freedom Parade Video

Here is a short video from last year's (2008) Allen Ross Freedom Parade, showing Northaven's entry from the perspective of the crowd. It gives you a good sense of what it's like to be in this important event.

News this Week: November 2, 2009

Click here to read the "New This Week" email from Northaven Church.

In This Issue
Religion & The Public Schools
Justice Revival
Alternative Christmas Giving
We Need Volunteers!

Celebration Garden Consecration

Sunday, November 1st was a glorious morning for Northaven Church, as we consecrated our Celebration Garden. At this blog entry, enjoy some pictures from the morning, listen to the sermon again, and share your thoughts and feelings for others to see by leaving a comment below.

Here are a few pictures of the day:





You can listen to this morning's sermon here.









You can see many more pictures here.

Feel free to leave your comments about the day below.

What are your thoughts about the Celebration Garden Consecration?
Do you have any comments for the Celebration Garden Committee?
How do you think/feel the garden will be used by Northaven?
In what ways will it be important to our future?

(You can leave a comment as "anonymous" to avoid having to create an account. Feel free to leave your name in the comment if you wish others to see it...)