Up Coming Happenings

Parish Picnic June 24 Kirby House Glen Summit, Pa Bring a salad, fruit or dish to share and don't forget your bathing suit. Royal School of Church Music is back and will be at St Stephens Wilkes-Barre July 23 to July 29 RSCM in partnership with King's College is a summer choir training course and is the largest of its kind in North America, attracting more than one hundred fifty singers of all ages from ten years and up. Music Director is Walden Moore, Organist and Choirmaster of Trinty Church on the Green, New Haven CT. for more information; www.kingscollegecourse.com Choral Services Tuesday 5:30pm Evensong 9:00pm Compline Wednesday 5:30pm Evensong 9:00pm Compline Thursday 7:30pm Staff Recital 9:00pm Compline Friday 5:30pm Evensong Saturday 9:00pm Compline Sunday 10:30am Choral Eucharist 3:30pm Festal Evensong Food 4 Kids Hunger Doesn't Take A Summer Vacation Many children who receive breakfast and lunch during the school year do not receive the same nutritional support over the summer, leaving thousands of local kids at risk of hunger and malnutrition. The Food 4 Kids Summer program served more than 40,000 meals during the summer of 2011. If you know of someone that can use these services please let them know. (note: I posted only Wilkes-Barre locations here, CEO hosts this program in 3 Counties - go to the web site of facebook page to see the full listings) If you would like to Volunteer: http://ceopeoplehelpingpeople.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={95FAAD44-DEC2-40E6-B397-75D666237895} Albright United Methodist Church Wilkes-Barre Boulevard Townhomes Wilkes-Barre Coal Street Park Wilkes-Barre Dodson Elementary8 Wilkes-Barre Huber Park Wilkes-Barre Iron Triangle Park Wilkes-Barre Kids Cafe (Heights-Murray Elementary)9 Wilkes-Barre Kistler Pool Wilkes-Barre Madison/Flood Park Wilkes-Barre McGlynn Learning Center10 Wilkes-Barre Miner Park Wilkes-Barre Mineral Springs Village Wilkes-Barre Miss Freda's House (171 Prospect Street)Wilkes-Barre Osterhout Library - South Branch Wilkes-Barre Parson's Playground Wilkes-Barre Westminister Presbyterian Church11 Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre YMCA Wilkes-Barre Nicholson Street Park Wilkes-Barre Township Eucharist Workshop : WHEN: Friday, Sept 14th (Session 1) and Saturday, Sept.15th (Sessions 2 &3) Each Session lasts approx 1hr 20mins. WHERE: St. Stephen's Pro Cathedral 35 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre,PA 18704 Presented by Bill Ryon (Washington D.C.) Objective: To present enough biblical,historical,and theological information (abiet in a very short time) so that the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist may be appropriated by each attendee. The data given will enable all to be lead through the Spirit,to a more inward and definitive understanding of Christ being present at the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Cost: $15.00 per person Reservation accepted with check only ! Firm Deadline: Friday, August 31st Please put in the memo section of your check.your preference of either ham,tuna,turkey or egg salad for Saturday's Lunch. At the conclusion of Friday night's session a potluck will be served

The Working Poor

A recent article on Huffington Post (full Article here; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/working-poor-liquid-asset-poverty_n_1243152.html) reports that more Americans are liquid-asset poor, meaning that they have nothing to fall back on, no savings, no back-up funds. Only one paycheck away from being in middle class, to poor.
A major car repair needed, a medical emergency, a sudden house repair. Think of it: a transmission replacement, a needed water heater, or an emergency appendectomy and you need to apply for SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) but with new guidelines, having a car can eliminate you from receiving that assistance - but you need it for work. Having a 401K no matter the amount and you are to "rich" for help.

At the Food Pantry I see both. People that never expected to have to get free food. Husbands that lost their jobs, or received a major pay cut or layoff. A mom who was once a second income that is now the only income. Those that are desperately trying to make ends meet, just getting food in their homes and for their children. I listened to a 3rd grader tell me that her father had been in the hospital and could not work for several months, that there was no food in the house. A third grader - 8 years old and she knew her families needs, and what they did not have.

The 'Self declaration of Need Form' that our clients fill out has them state what their income level is. (the form is supplied by CEO and is required by the Dept of Agriculture for Food Pantry service) If you are single than your income base is $314.00/week, six in the family the amount is $865.00/week $3,749.00/month. Many that I have had assisted in the pantry wish they could make/receive that much per week.

Where am I going with this - I can't say. What are we to do about this- still no true clue. It can be overwhelming, and easy to give up because it is so much to do for so many. But than again:

“If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
- Mother Teresa