How many committees are there at CV?  Who is working behind the scenes to make all of the ministries and programs happen, and keep the staff and the property going?  How can you get involved?

These are some of the questions we are going to address this summer with CV Committee Temple Talks.  Throughout the summer, the many committees of the church will give a short Temple Talk during worship about what they do, why they do ministry, and how people can get involved.   There will be hand-outs, maybe some treats, and a time to ask questions and get to know about who and how the ministries of the church happen.

These are some of the questions we are going to address this summer with CV Committee Temple Talks.  Throughout the summer, the many committees of the church will give a short Temple Talk during worship about what they do, why they do ministry, and how you can get involved.   There will be hand-outs, maybe some treats, and a time to ask questions and get to know about who and how the ministries of the church happen.

We need your help to create Midwife Kits for distribution in village areas where 70 percent of women deliver their babies at home using a midwife. By supplying midwife kits, Christus Victor helps to reduce the risk of infection by 50 percent to mothers and newborns. Unsanitary birthing conditions contribute to the 940 deaths per 100,000 live births annually in Tanzania.

Through your help and donations, we can vastly improve the lives of the community where incidence of infection are high without adequate and accessible supplies. We have the power to make a profound and lasting difference through the generous ongoing support of our congregation.

Donations Most Needed This Year:

Bath Towels

Receiving Blankets

2-1/2 gallon Ziploc Bags (available at Target)

Bath Size Ivory Soap

Even if you can’t donate one of these items, there is a way for you to help! Help us assemble midwife kits on Saturday, May 8 in the Fellowship Hall.

For four years, the Mission Committee has asked for basket donations and we have asked that you come to Baskets of Love and bid on these amazing creations — AND YOU HAVE!

Here’s what we accomplished:

* The women of Mlowa who weave these baskets will receive $10 per basket to fund their ministry in Mlowa.

* The Mlowa parish will receive an additional gift of money to help them weather the famine and ensure they have food to last until the next harvest.

* The Mission Fund will receive funds to help our Ambassadors journey from Christus Victor to Tanzania in August 2010. Our 2010 ambassadors are Pastor Kent Claussen Gubrud, Barb Damlo, Malisa Kreutzmann and Paula Nierengarten.

NEW in 2011:Baskets of Love will raise funds for Kids Alive in the Dominican Republic AND send a Mission Team there in March 2011. For more information about the 2011 Mission Trip, contact Jody McDermott-Baty.

Gracias and Asante Sana Basket Donors! It all starts with you. Thank you for creatively and generously filling 58 baskets.

Gracias and Asante Sana Bidders! Thank you for raising each and every bid. You make this event fun. You make this event successful!

Gracias and Asante Sana Members of Christus Victor for supporting this ministry!

Christus Victor, are you up for the challenge?  After last year’s incredibly successful food drive we believe you are!  What makes March Minnesota FoodShare such a terrific opportunity to make a difference is the fact that our donations are matched dollar for dollar and pound for pound by businesses and other organizations in our area.  Considering there were approximately 3 million food shelf visits in Minnesota last year with 61 MILLION pounds of food distributed, the March matched donations will play a significant role in helping feed those in need.

Social Ministries is enlisting all those ready, willing, and able to join the ranks of the superheroes in making this year’s food drive another fantastic success in fighting hunger.  Once again, we are offering two ways for you to participate: by bringing in non-perishable food items OR by making a monetary donation.  The food shelf is able to get more bang for the buck than we can at local stores, so monetary gifts are always welcome.  We will have our shopping cart in the Narthex to collect food items and you will find envelopes for monetary donations on the front of the cart.  Checks should be made to Christus Victor.  Be sure to write “food drive” in the memo. 

You can make a difference in the lives of others by the simple yet profound gift of helping put food on someone’s table.  You can help make sure families don’t have to skip meals to make ends meet.  You, in short, can be a superhero to those who need help and hope for a better tomorrow.  So, don your mask, throw on that cape, and let’s fill those food shelves to overflowing! (Spandex optional)

Thanks again for supporting this mission.

Merry Christmas,

Jaclyn Brandes

Social Ministries Committee