Panther Creek Church of the Brethren

Continuing the Work of Jesus . . . Peacefully, Simply, Together.

March 2008                                                                                                                      Vol. 2 No. 3

 

 

The Smartest Animal in the World

 

What is the smartest animal in the world?  A couple years ago, one of my friends told me his dog was the smartest animal in the world.  He shared with me that, just the other day, he had asked his dog three questions and his dog had answered all three questions correctly.  He could see the doubt on my face, and so he shared with me the questions his dog had correctly answered: "First, I asked him to name his favorite baseball player and he said, 'Ruth!'  Next, I asked him what sandpaper felt like and he said, 'Rough!'  Finally, I asked him what was on top of the house and he said, 'Roof!'"

 

Most people think of dogs, monkeys, or dolphins when they're asked to name the "smartest" animal, but I believe the smartest animal in the world is the possum.  Do you think possums are smart?  I would be surprised, because you hardly ever see one except when it's dead on the road.  There's a joke that goes like this: "Why did the chicken cross the road?  To prove to the possum that it could be done!"

 

But you will never convince me that possums aren't brilliant, because they will not enter a hole if there is just one set of tracks going into the hole.  They know that one set of tracks means something is in there.  However, if there are two sets of tracks the possum will enter the hole unafraid.

 

Isn't that the message of Easter?  We don't have to fear the grave or death because there are tracks leading out of the tomb.  The Apostle Paul said it like this: "Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)

 

You will only find calories and a moment's satisfaction in chocolate bunny rabbits & marshmallow peeps, not true hope & real joy & eternal life!  As we move toward the palms and then the cross and then the empty tomb during the Lenten season, I hope you will not spend much time looking for chocolate bunnies or marshmallow chicks.  Rather, I hope God will bless you with "eyes to see" (Mark 8:18) so that when you see a possum, you will see much, much more than an ugly rodent or a disgusting mess alongside the road.  I pray that possum will remind you of the good news of Easter: the tomb is empty!

 

In Christian love,

Dave Kerkove

 

 

 

UPCOMING WORSHIP SCHEDULE

 

March 2nd                  "The Love Feast"                             John 13:12-15; 15:9-12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

4th Sunday of Lent; Panther Puppets; Vocal Choir

 

March 9th                   "Sackcloth, Ashes, and Anointing"                                     Jonah 3:1-10; James 5:13-16

5th Sunday of Lent; Handbells & Vocal Choir

 

March 16th                 "Joy and Sadness"                                                                                  Luke 19:28-44

Palm Sunday; Vocal Choir

 

March 20th                 "The Prodigal"                         Luke 15:11-32; John 13:1-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Maundy Thursday

 

March 23rd                "Death and Taxes?"                                                                            Matthew 28:1-10

Sonrise Service; Vocal Choir

 

March 23rd                "The Rock, the Roll, the Resurrection"                                             Mark 16:1-8

Easter; Vocal Choir

 

March 30th                 "Can You Keep A Secret?"                                                 Mark 1:29-34; 3:7-12; 9:9

 

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MARCH BIRTHDAYS

 

2 -        Sandy Zagar

4 -        Roy Wicks

7 -        Sara Broyles

9 -        Missy Buchman

10 -      Cristin Lantz

12 -      Carroll Snyder

            Jamie Robertson

13 -      Peter Wicks

            Lucas Garrett

14 -      Linda Lantz

15 -      Jenna Hannemann

16 -      John Wicks

            Carter Greenslade

17 -      Beau Dawes

            Tim Hunt

            Sandy Trent

18 -      Julie Nuss

19 -      James Conner

20 -      Kent Knoll

            Grant Peters

            Jamie Nuss

21 -      Amanda Marshall

22 -      Dick Wagoner

            Glenn Stine

24 -      Allisa Kliewer

26 -      Cindy Robertson

            Janae Hannemann

27 -      Kerry Dittert

            Cheryl Prazak

            Joan Bailey

            Colton Marshall

            Emilee Schrock

29 -      Karla (Marshall) Conner

            Richard Reiste

            Ryan Reynolds

31 -      Marilyn Daugherty

 

MARCH ANNIVERSARIES

17 -      Bill & Dorothy Broyles

            Ryan & Bethany (Berkenboch) Thompson

18 -      Bill & Jennifer (Heefner) Vandivier

22-       Ed & Sue Swinger

25 -      Rick & Gayle (Knoll) Arnburg

31-       George & Audrey Reiste

 

Thank you to Dorothy Broyles, Bonnie Cumings, Marilyn Hoy, Dave & Linda Lantz, Denise Moses, Chris Pierce, Jeanne Putman, Karen Smith, Mary Snyder, and Norman & Marilyn Stine for helping put together the February Portal and the 2008 Directory/Yearbook.                                                                                                     Doris

 

The church received a very nice thank you card from the Douglas Park Church of the Brethren in Chicago. It is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

 

On behalf of The Good Samaritan Food Pantry, thank you for your continuing support. It is greatly appreciated and will be well-used to purchase fresh produce for clients. Thank you. Sherryl McAvoy, Treasurer

 

Thank you to all for your kind words of support and encouragement at the time of my retirement. I also want to thank those who attended my retirement reception, sent cards, wished me well and gave welcome words of advice.  I have enjoyed my career as a librarian and I now look forward to a more relaxed schedule of my own making.  So far, it is going well.                                                                                                                            Donna Emmert

 

Dear Youth Group,

Thank you for the batteries, remote-control Air Hog helicopter, Bible, light saver, and UNO attack.       Your now happy kid, Alex

 

Dear Youth Group,

Thank you for all those gifts. You really made this one of my best Christmas ever.   Sincerely, Eric

 

We want to thank all of you who called or sent messages of sympathy after the death of our son and grandson, Ian Taggart. Craig & Crystal Taggart & Family, Barb & Ted Taggart

 

Thank you for all of your prayers for Hannah York. She did not have to have surgery but she is wearing a brace.                                                                                                               The Family of Hannah York

 

Dear Friends,

I wish to express my most sincere appreciation for the beautiful shawl that was selected, designed, cut, sewed and tied by the ladies of the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren.

 

I have used the shawl every day since receiving it, enjoying the warmth and giving thanks for having friends that have a mission of providing for those who may be in need.

 

Last, but not least, I appreciated meeting and visiting with Pastor Dave, Sandy Trent and Lois Banwart in their presentation of the beautiful shawl.

 

May God richly bless you in the Lord’s work.   Thank you, Murray Luther

 

 

Our Prayers . . .

Dick & Ruth Wagoner                                   Roy Wicks                                                                           Brad Baier

Michelle Marshall                                           Lois Clark                                                                        Sue Kimpston

Jean Burgus                                                 Pat Hackbart                                                                           John Knoll

Marilyn Hoy                                                 Ben Swinger                                                                     Evelyn Hodson

Bill & Dorothy Broyles                                                                                                                          Lowell Dawes

Panora Church of the Brethren                                                                                                        Darlene Messamer

Harold Garrett                                                                                                                                       Murray Luther

 

CLASS NEWS

The Pathfinders will meet on Saturday, March 8^th, at 6:30pm for a Potato Bake with Roger & Donna Emmert as hosts.

 

The Bereans will meet on Thursday, March 13^th, at 12pm for a catered meal. The cost of the meal is $10. Lowell Marshall will give the devotions.

 

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

The Women’s Fellowship will meet on Thursday, March 6^th, at 9am. Please bring a sack lunch. For our meeting on Thursday, March 20^th, Eleanor Myers and Lois Banwart will be the hostesses for a Potato Bake. Everyone should bring their favorite topping. Lois Banwart will lead a Bible study each meeting day at 11am.

 

UPCOMING MUSIC FESTIVALS

 

Palm Sunday Concert at St. John's Catholic

 

On Palm Sunday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m., the Panther Creek CoB vocal choir, along with other Adel church choirs, will worship God through music together.  Each individual choir will present one or two anthems and then all the choirs will combine for a mass choir performance.  The music for this year's mass choir includes: "Fanfare For Palm Sunday, Worthy Is The Lamb, and Once And For All."  Coffee, punch and cookies will be served after the choir concert.  If you have any questions, please contact Denise Oneal or Pastor Dave.

 

McPherson College Choir to Perform at Panther Creek

 

On Sunday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. the 55-voice McPherson College Choir will offer a concert in the Panther Creek sanctuary.  It has been three years since the choir has traveled to central Iowa as part of their spring choir tour.  They will leave from the Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren in Illinois early on Sunday morning (after their Saturday evening concert) and will arrive at Panther Creek around 1:30 p.m.  After the concert, coffee, punch and cookies will be served and sack lunches will be provided for the choir members and their adult advisors (they will travel all the way back to McPherson, Kansas on April 13). 

 

If you can help provide cookies for after the concert or supplies for the sack lunches, please sign your name on the sign-up sheet that will appear on the table in the narthex in March.  McPherson College would also like the names of alumni who currently attend the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren.  Panther Creek will not need to house the students overnight; however, a freewill offering will be collected to help offset the costs associated with their 2008 spring choir tour.  Finally, a surprise awaits the first person who correctly names the years that Pastor Dave & Tammy graduated from McPherson College.(

 

 

­­­­­Stover Memorial Music Festival

 

The 2008 Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren Music Festival has been scheduled for Sunday, April 20 at 4 p.m.   The Panther Creek vocal choir will participate, and Donna Emmert & Denise Oneal will help provide musical leadership.  The Stover Memorial Music Festival will conclude with a fellowship meal and all those who attend are asked to bring sandwiches or a salad to share.  Table service and drinks will be provided.

 

Sending of the Seventy

 

On Sunday, April 6, Marilyn Keltner from the Dallas Center Church of the Brethren and Bill Miller from the Salem Church of the Brethren will attend worship at the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren as part of the Sending of the Seventy program.  After worship, we will enjoy a potluck together and then we will share with Marilyn and Bill our responses to the following questions:

 

1)         What is God doing these days in our church and surrounding community?

2)         What are three priorities for our church based on what we believe God is doing?

3)         How might Northern Plains District churches work together on these priorities?

 

A summary of our responses from our previous discussion of these questions on February 3 will appear in your bulletin as an insert on March 30.  On Saturday, April 26, the "seventy who were sent" will meet at Camp Pine Lake to discuss their experiences.  Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting at Camp Pine Lake.  If you have any questions, please contact Bob Gilmer or Harold Mack, Panther Creek's Sending of the Seventy representatives.     

 

 

2008 Women of Faith Conference: "Infinite Grace"

 

At least five women from Panther Creek will travel to the 2008 Women of Faith Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, on March 28-29 (the weekend after Easter).  Tickets are still available if you would like to attend all or part of the conference.  Please contact Tammy Kerkove if you are interested.  Carpools and room sharing can be arranged to make the conference more affordable.  Come and learn what it means to rest in God's amazing, unequaled, INFINITE GRACE!

 

 

Baby Shower

A baby shower for Leann Reiste has been tentatively planned for Sunday, March 30^th. More information about the shower (including where the Reiste’s have registered for baby gifts) will appear in future Sunday bulletins.

 

March 30th Special Offering:

Habitat for Humanity

 

On the last Sunday of March, you are invited to make a gift to support our local Habitat for Humanity efforts.  Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.  Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. 

 

Habitat for Humanity has built more than 225,000 houses around the world, providing more than one million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.  Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife, Linda.  For more information about Habitat for Humanity, please go to www.habitat.org.

 

On March 30, you are invited to place your financial gift for local Habitat for Humanity efforts in the wicker basket that will pass through your pew during the offertory.  If you choose to write a check, please make it out to the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren and write "Habitat for Humanity" on the memo line of your check.

 

 

 

Panther Creek Game Night:, Saturday, March 1

On Saturday, March 1, you are invited to bring your favorites games and snacks or finger foods to the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren fellowship hall. Drinks and popcorn will be provided. In addition to playing your favorite games, you will be invited to participate in the “Panther Olympics”. Scorecards, ribbons, and prizes will be given to participants. If you have any questions, please contact Roxanne Hagemann, Kris Marshall, Leanna Stine-Smith or Norman Stine. Don’t forget to invite your neighbors and friends! All ages are welcome!

 

Smile!

 

Do you still recognize yourself when you look at pictures of yourself from four years ago?  If not, you will be happy to know we are taking new pictures for the picture display located on the north wall of the narthex by the elevator.  Charlotte Hunt will be available to take pictures during March on Sundays both before and after worship (except when the weather is bad  or if  she is out of town).  If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte or the church office.  All pictures will be taken on the west side of the coat racks in the narthex. 

 

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300th Anniversary Question

Three of the most popular children's books printed by Brethren Press are "The Little Man, The Middle Man, and The Tall Man."  Can you name the Brethren leaders known as the little man, the middle man, and the tall man?  (The answer to this question appears on page 9 of this month's Panther Portal.)

 

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2008 Camp Pine Lake Schedule     

                            

Junior High (Grades 6-8)                                  10 a.m., June 9 - 10 a.m., June 14                    $190      

Middler (Grades 3-5)                                       10 a.m., June 16 - 10 a.m., June 20                  $160   

Primary Overnight (Grades K-2)                        6 p.m., June 20 - 6 p.m., June 21                     $30 per person

Senior High (Grades 9-12)                               10 a.m., July 28 - 10 a.m., August 2                 $190

Grandparents & Grandchildren (K-2)   3 p.m., August 8 - 3 p.m., August 9                             $30 per person

Family Camp                                                    August 30-September 1

 

2008 SPECIAL: If it is your first time as a camper at Camp Pine Lake, the camp will waive half of the registration fee.  This offer applies to children only.  Children in grades K-2 must be accompanied by an adult.  Late fees apply for those who register after May 1st.  If you have any questions about Camp Pine Lake, please contact the church office or Sue Kimpston.

 

Other Important Summer Dates

Dallas Center & Panther Creek Churches of the Brethren Vacation Bible School                           June 23-27

222nd Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren in Richmond, Virginia                  July 12-16

300th Anniversary Celebration of the Church of the Brethren at Panther Creek                  August 2-3

30th Annual Panther Creek Retreat                                                                                               August 15-17

 

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Northern Plains District Board to Meet at Panther Creek

 

The Northern Plains District Board will hold its May 2-3, 2008 meeting at the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren.  As their hosts, Panther Creek CoB members will provide meals and lodging for Board members.  In March and April, you will be invited to sign your name on a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex if you are able to provide food and/or lodging for Northern Plains District Board members. 

 

This is a valuable opportunity for Board members to interact with Panther Creek CoB members.  The Board meeting is open to any Panther Creek CoB members who want to observe.  On Friday evening, Pastor Dave will help lead evening devotions after supper for the Board and Panther Creek Church of the Brethren members.  Current Panther Creek members who serve on the Northern Plains District Board include Kay Kimpston-Burkgren, Roger Emmert, and Norman Stine.  If you have any questions, please contact Gary Overla, Panther Creek Leadership Team Chair, or Pastor Dave.

 

Deacon Training Event in Dallas Center

 

One of the five national deacon training events for 2008 has been scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at the Dallas Center Church of the Brethren.  Jay Gibble, former executive of the Association of Brethren Caregivers, will be the keynote presenter and workshop leader.  His keynote address is entitled "The Legacy and Character of Deacons" and he will also lead the following workshop: "End-of-Life Living with Grace and Purpose."  Kathy Reid, current Association of Brethren Caregivers executive director will lead the workshop: "Deacon 101: the Purpose and Functions of Deacons."

 

The cost is $20 and the registration deadline is March 28th.  All current deacons, past deacons and those who feel called to serve as deacons sometime in the future are encouraged to attend this important training event.  Flyers/registration forms are available on the table located at the rear of the narthex.  If you have any questions, please contact the church office or Norman Stine.

 

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One Great Hour of Sharing

 

On the last Sunday of February, the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren collected a special offering for the One Great Hour of Sharing program.  If you have ever wondered what happens to your gift after you place it in the wicker basket on the last Sunday of the month, please read the following litany provided by the Church of the Brethren General Board in Elgin, Illinois.  If you would like more information about One Great Hour of Sharing, please go to www.brethren.org/genbd/funding/opportun/onegreat.htm or call 1-800-323-8039, ext. 234.

 

By the grace of God, we were there - to dig in.

We were in Gambia to dig in arid soil and plant trees.

We were in Guatemala to dig through layers of rock and sand and build cisterns.

 

By the grace of God, we were there - to take hold.

We were in Burundi to take hold of the hands of refugees fleeing from famine and war.

We were in Louisiana to take hold of children whose parents lost homes and loved ones.

 

By the grace of God, we were there - to reach out.

We were in the Dominican Republic to reach out to people working their way out of poverty.

We were in Senegal to reach out to women learning to read and write.

 

By the grace of God, we were there - to build up.

We were in Afghanistan to build up 1,500 homes ravaged by war.

We were in South Africa to build up health and hope.

 

Thank you, God, for leading the Church of the Brethren to compassionate service,

guiding our steps as we dig in, take hold, reach out and build up.

 

2008 Regional Youth Conference

 

With 34,000 distinct, identifiable Christian religious groups and organizations in the United States, what is so unique about the Church of the Brethren that it has survived for 300 years?  The answer comes from, of course, our history and our particular beliefs and how we live them out together.  Through song and through stories shared verbally and with video, RYC '08 will help attendees take part in the 300 year birthday of our church and the celebration taking place across our denomination this year.

 

Regional Youth Conference is scheduled from 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 4 - 12:30 p.m., Sunday, April 6 at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas.  Students in grades 6-12, their advisors, youth leaders and pastors may register for RYC '08.  Barbara Wise-Lewczak, interim pastor of the Stover Memorial CoB in Des Moines will help lead worship at RYC and has room in her vehicle for other central Iowa youth who would like to attend RYC '08.  Registration forms are available on the table located at the rear of the narthex.  If you would like more information, please contact Tom Hurst, Director of Campus Ministries, at 620-242-0503 or hurstt@mcpherson.edu. 

 

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Panther Creek Church of the Brethren Council Meeting Agenda

March 2, 2008

 

1.Devotions - Kathy Johnson, Moderator

 

2.Minutes - Roxanne Hagemann, Clerk

 

3.Reports:

                        Leadership Team

                        Worship Team

                        Christian Education Team

                        Stewardship Team

                        Witness Team

                        Gifts Ministry Team

                        Deacons

                        Women’s Fellowship

                        Explorers

                        Pathfinders

                        Bereans

                        Jr. Youth

                        Sr. High Youth

                        Scholarship Committee

                        300^th Anniversary Taskforce

                        Spurgeon Manor

                        Treasurer

                        Pastor

                        Other?

 

4.         Other Business:

                        2007 budget shortfall

                        2008 budget

 

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Brethren Disaster Ministries News

 

A violent tornado outbreak swept through six states on February 5-6, killing at least 57 people in Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and Alabama, the deadliest tornado system since 1985.  More than 2,200 homes were damaged or destroyed.  An initial grant of $7,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund is supporting Church World Service relief efforts, including shipments of blankets, hygiene kits and clean-up kits; training and project development; and financial support for local long-term recovery groups.

 

Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) staff have been in touch with denominational representatives in the affected regions to gather information and offer assistance.  Some of the same communities that were flooded last summer in Ohio and Indiana have been re-flooded as well.  The good news is Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteer numbers increased 22 percent in 2007, and hours served increased 35 percent!  We are truly blessed by such a compassionate response to the need.

 

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2008 Northern Plains District Prayer Calendar

 

The Northern Plain's District Nurture Commission encourages all of us to participate in prayer for one another, as we are admonished to do in scripture.  If you would like, you may drop them a note of encouragement during the week you are praying for them (addresses are available from the church office).

 

Week                          Pray for this church                            This church will be praying for us

March 2-8                    Fredericksburg CoB                             Dallas Center CoB

March 9-15                  Greene CoB                                         Common Spirit (Minneapolis, MN)

March 16-22                Hammond Ave. (Waterloo, IA)            Cedar Rapids Baptist/Brethren Church

March 23-29                Hands of Christ (Rochester, MN)         Big Sky (Froid, MT)

March 30-April 5         Iowa River (Marshalltown, IA)             Beaver CoB

 

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(The Little Man = I.N.H. Beahm; The Middle Man = John Kline; The Tall Man = John Naas)

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The Carroll Crouse Memorial Fitness Group

 

Goals:   1) To become more flexible, have more energy, eat better, and feel better.

            2) Encourage those who are participating in the "Heifer International Weight Loss Challenge."

            3) Remind one another that our bodies are "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

 

Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.         Resistance - Upper Body; please bring resistance bands and/or hand weights.

 

Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.         Floor Exercises; please bring a mat or a beach towel.

 

Saturdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.       Resistance - Lower Body; please bring a mat or a beach towel and

                                                resistance bands.

 

Sundays, 3:30-4:30 p.m.           Floor Exercises; please bring a mat or a beach towel.

 

There is no cost to exercise and all sessions will take place in the Panther Creek CoB fellowship hall.  Friends and neighbors are also welcome.  If you have any questions, please contact Peg Dawes at 515-833-2888 or pldawes@yahoo.com.

 

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Annual Conference Food Drive

 

In an effort to "shower the Richmond community with loving acts of service," a food drive is being planned in conjunction with the Service Blitz at the 2008 Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia.  The drive is sponsored by the 300th Anniversary Committee, to benefit the Central Virginia Food Bank.  The scriptural theme for the project is from Matthew 25:35, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat."

 

"Food banks experience a drastic increase in demand each summer," explained the committee in an announcement.  "During the school year, children in need are ensured one good meal a day through the free and reduced lunch program in their school.  However, during the summer, families in need really struggle and many of these children would go hungry without the help of organizations that provide food to those in need."

 

Founded in 1980, the Central Virginia Food Bank distributes almost 49,000 pounds of food each day to the most vulnerable people - children in need, the elderly, working poor families, disabled individuals, and others in crisis - through more than 500 organizations and agencies feeding the hungry in five cities and 31 counties in the region.  That's 12.6 million pounds of food a year!

 

Conference-goers are encouraged to bring a donation of healthy, non-perishable food.  Particular needs include canned fish and meats, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, hot and cold cereals, pasta, and rice.  Donations will be collected in the registration lobby at the Richmond Convention Center.  The goal is to collect three tons (6,000 pounds) of food in celebration of the 300th Anniversary.  Congregations are invited to hold a food drive in advance of Annual Conference and send their donations with their delegates.

 

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Emergency Disaster Fund Issues $53,700 in Grants

 

Five grants issued by the Emergency Disaster Fund send assistance to Kenya following rioting and violence, along with grants to Bangladesh, the south-central US following storms, and continuing support for Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding projects.  The Emergency Disaster Fund is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

 

An additional grant of $19,700 aids Kenyans following post-election violence, responding to an expanded Church World Service (CWS) appeal for displaced people.  The funds continue support for the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is providing emergency food to 15,000 displaced people, as well as additional services, household items, blankets, and psycho-social counseling.

 

A grant of $15,000 continues support for a Brethren Disaster Ministries project in Minnesota following flooding.  The project in Rushford, Minnesota, is repairing and rebuilding homes of flood survivors.  The grant pays for volunteer travel, food, and housing expenses, as well as tools and equipment.

 

A grant of $10,000 to CWS follows a devastating cyclone that struck Bangladesh.  The funds will help assist 25,000 people with emergency food, clothing, temporary shelter, and the creation of job opportunities.