CROP Walk 2008

Taking advantage of beautiful weather today, Linda Remington and Bob Gessler completed the 10-mile route of the CROP Hunger Walk 2008. The route started at Emmanuel Church in Newport , went up Broadway to St. Peter's, then back to Emmanuel Church for the completion of the four-mile route and start of the six-mile extension around Ocean Drive and back to Emmanuel Church. Of the 80+ walkers only 10 chose the longer route. Linda and Bob were the last two in, tired and sore but happy to have completed the walk. So far over $300 has been pledged for their efforts, but we hope additional pledges will come in. So why support CROP? Simply, we walk because they walk. They walk for water, food and fuel. They walk to escape violence. Seventy-five percent of the money raised goes to Church World Services projects. These projects include responding to national and international emergencies, assisting refugees, and hunger and development programs. There is much more information on the website at www.churchworldservice.org. The other 25% stays on the island to help the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and Florence Gray Center programs. As you know, food prices are increasing everywhere but especially hit people with low incomes and in developing countries hardest so any contribution you can make will be much appreciated. Thank You!

Habitat for Humanity Global Village

St. Paul's member Bob Gessler recently returned from a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip to Tajikistan in Central Asia . During the two week stay in the country Bob worked on building several houses at two sites. The houses are constructed of mud bricks on concrete foundations with sheet metal roofs attached to timber rafters. The Habitat team of 12 people from across the country primarily helped dig the foundations, mix concrete, pass buckets of concrete, carry rocks and assemble rebar for the concrete foundations. While there the team enjoyed the hospitality of the people. Some highlights include attending the New Year's celebration on March 21 and being invited into people's homes for meals. Bob will be presenting photos from the trip during a potluck dinner at St. Paul's starting at 7 pm on May 2. Hope you can join us.