What do people think about this?

Members of the congregations and the community have enthusiastically shown their support for the Mission Trip.

In the Fall Pastor Schwartz began a program called the Pennies per Pound Initiative. Out of concern for her own health and the desire to raise some funds so that congregational youth could have some financial support and encouragement to go on the Trip, she began a very public weight loss program. She enlisted two committees, one to be her health team, which they named themselves the "BBB"s, and the other the financial team. The BBBs met with her every other week to monitor her progress, give her support, and consider ways in which the congregation's health could be enhanced. The financial team was to receive commitment cards and be responsible for the money end of the program. Pastor announced her intention to lose weight and asked members of the congregation to support the process by pledging x number of pennies for every pound she lost between December 1, 2008 and the end of June 2009. The monies collected would be used to support any congregational youth who wanted to participate.

For newspaper articles on the Pennies per Pound see http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09141/971544-56.stm and http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/photo_145016.html?TB_iframe=true&height=460&width=720

Some members of the local community, after reading the newspaper articles, made donations to the cause. One family made memorial monies available so that a member could go to NELM. Several members of St. John baked cookies and sold them at the Swissvale Community Day. The proceeds were earmarked for purchasing paint and painting supplies. On several Sunday mornings team members talked about the clinics that the nurses would be offering for those in the Navajo community who live with diabetes. The foot clinic especially would need white diabetic socks, nail clippers, soap and lotion. Folks who could brought in socks and soaps and some donated money so that the Team could buy the items.

On Sunday June 12 at both Hope and St. John, members who were going to Rock Point were commissioned during worship. They promised to be examples of the love of Jesus Christ and faithful and understanding. The congregations pledged their support. At St. John congregational members were invited to come forward and lay hands on those who were going as a sign of their blessing.

Oh yes, Pastor lost 31.5 pounds. Monies pledged and received as a donation total in excess of $900.00.