Church World Service has mission project information for your use in planning your congregation’s 2008 Vacation Bible School. Our mission ideas can supplement this year’s Vacation Bible School curricula (Augsburg, Cokesbury, Concordia, Group, and Standard) with CWS programs and projects from our Build a Better World curricula.

Contact your CWS Regional Office at 888-297-2767 for further information.

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Gordon and Bobby Osborn of Erie, PA. Photo: MJ Dillon

Gordon Osborn, 28 year participant of the Erie County CROP Hunger Walk and recruiter for First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, knows how to make the most of every resource available. In addition to pledges he has received over nearly three decades, in the past two years he has also secured $3,200 in matching grant funds from General Electric, the company for which he worked for thirty-nine years as a designer of special motors and generators. (Read more about matching grant options.)

The Erie County CROP Hunger Walk Board was privileged to honor Osborn on April 8 at the Annual Awards Luncheon. His response to being lifted up was simply, “God has blessed me. I do what I do in gratitude for God’s blessings.” For a man who practices what he preaches and whom we know to be one of the many blessings with which God has blessed our regional community, we lift up our gratitude to God!

Osborn became involved in the Erie CROP Hunger Walk when he asked his pastor if he would like him to represent the church at an organizing meeting… a meeting which marked the beginning of a 28-year, still-going-strong commitment to the Walk. Osborn liked what he heard at that first meeting and found that the cause appealed to him. He has always believed that the Walk is a “…wonderful way to connect people and involve people to keep others from going hungry. In Matthew 25 our Lord says that when you feed the hungry, you’re feeding me. I take that seriously.” Osborn also likes that CWS’s program helps people become self-sufficient by addressing the root causes of hunger. His participation in the Walk is one of the ways in which he supports CWS because, “we believe in what CWS does.”

Osborn’s first task each year in recruiting Walkers is to call new members. He uses two “hooks” in his recruitment method. First he asks, “Do you feel blessed by God? If so, here’s a chance for you to do something for other people in gratitude for God’s blessings.” His second hook is to ask, “Are you young? (Osborn is 79.) Can you put some effort into something that’s really worthwhile?” If neither of these hooks works, Osborn simply asks for a donation! First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant has often been the largest fundraiser for the Erie Walk with a 28-year-total of $235,000.

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Young mother and child from Sindh Province, Pakistan Photo: Kathy Clark/CWS

Elections, assassination, terror... these are words most frequently associated with Pakistan on our evening news. Our staff can add other words, other stories... partnership, poverty, microcredit, earthquake recovery, friendship, God’s children. In the midst of what can be a frightening and confusing world, let us bring you images of hope and reconciliation by inviting one of our staff to speak to your congregation or group about the incredible work of CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan. Two of our staff have personally traveled to the area and have first hand photos and stories that all of our staff can share with you. Contact the Regional Office to schedule a presentation today: 1-888-297-2767.

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Harleysville - On Saturday, September 20, 2008, the Wes Albin Bike Trek will wind its way through the beautiful countryside of Montgomery County. This special event is in loving memory of Wes Albin, the former PA Regional Director for Church World Service (CWS). The annual Bike Trek is for enthusiasts and weekend riders and it honors Wes’ work in poverty awareness and aid for the poorest people in our world. Through his 37- year tenure with CWS, Wes helped to save thousands of lives and inspire countless others to deeper concern for the needs of the hungry.

Please consider joining us on this Trek or sponsoring one of the miles. Each mile sponsor will receive a Ride Patch, T-Shirt, listing in our Ride program and promotions, and be prominently displayed on a mile marker sign along the ride.

For more information or to register call toll-free: (888) 297-2767 or visit: www.wesbiketrek.blogspot.com.

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Vacation Bible School at Palmer Moravian Church, Easton, PA. Photo: Ruth Gonzalez

Not enough water is available in Kenya, but too much water can be terribly destructive in Indonesia. Unsafe water is a problem in Vietnam and in numerous countries around the world. WATER makes a huge impact on the everyday lives of people across the globe.

Ruth Gonalez, the VBS coordinator and her team of teachers previewed the “Build a Better World” curriculum for the summer of 2007. Though the curriculum is very different from those used in the past, the teachers were eager to give it a try. The staff gathered resources such a globes, world maps, and buckets. Teachers made wells out of cardboard boxes and water cyclones out of soda bottles. They opted for simple familiar songs like “He's Got the Whole World in His Hands” and “Kum Ba Yah.” Water games and projects were most enjoyable on hot summer days.

Teachers explored the internet to learn about the countries they were "visiting" as well as www.churchworldservice.org . These resources helped to adapt the “Build a Better World” crafts to their different age levels. Their 7-foot giraffe Imani appeared in different classrooms each day. On the final day, the staff gathered resources to teach about the rich history of Moravian mission work.

The children and teachers assembled 35 CWS Hygiene Kits. In keeping with the water theme, buckets were filled with the Hygiene Kits and displayed in the sanctuary for the following week. The Palmer Moravian VBS staff enjoyed the simplicity and especially the Water theme. They are glad they helped build a better world.

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A girl carries water home from a well in Kubum, in Sudan's West Darfur State, where CWS and coalition partners ACT-Caritas are helping displaced families as well as host community members with water supplies and other emergency assistance. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT-Caritas

Over one billion people (about one-sixth of the world) do not have access to safe water and 2.4 billion don't have access to improved sanitation. Two million children die each year from infections spread by dirty water and lack of access to decent sanitation. The average distance women in developing countries walk each day to fetch water: 3.5 miles.

Making Poverty History -CWS

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A resource for congregations who want to promote an alternative to consumer-oriented observances of the holidays and other occasions. Instead of giving more things, give more meaning by honoring friends and loved ones with a gift to Church World Service. Want help in planning? Our Alternative Holiday Market Packet is available free by calling 888-297-2767, or online at www.cwsbestgifts.org.

Updated 6/1/07

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In Pennsylvania, when you think of World Hunger -- you remember Wes Albin. When you think of CROP Hunger Walks -- you remember Wes Albin. Wes served as the Pennsylvania Regional Director for CWS/CROP from the day the office opened in 1975 until his premature death.

Wes was called to use his compassion, his conviction of faith and quiet presence to strive for the alleviation of hunger throughout the world. He was an inspiration to many. When CROP celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1997, Wes walked 50 miles to mark the occasion. For him it was not just another CROP Event, it was another opportunity to be in solidarity with those he had met around the world who walk for everything everyday.

When Wes died we lost a brother, a world friend and a moral leader. We continue to honor his life by paying tribute to his years of service to those most in need in our world. If Wes were here, he would ask you to join him in a CROP Hunger Walk and help him end hunger.

Please consider a gift to the Wes Albin Fund to end World Hunger by printing and sending in this pledge form.

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