The River Church Community

Hello River parents:

A couple of items for your attention:

1)  Thanksgiving is a time when we do a collection in Kids’ Community to serve others.  I am asking grade school kids at The River Church Community to donate one new or very gently used book to a Native American community.  The Gibson family is coordinating a book drive for the Lakota reservation at Pine Ridge.  It has been called the poorest place in the US, where many children are living in trailers without either electricity or running water. The unemployment rate is astronomical. The median income is $3500/year. The school drop out rate is at 70%.  Your grade school child saw an age appropriate video clip showing Pine Ridge at church.

The books cannot be faith based because the schools are public.  We will also hold a bake sale on 11/22 after the service to raise money for sending the books and monetary donations for shipping will also be accepted.

Please help your grade school child do the following things in response (younger children are also allowed to give but may not “get it” yet):

-          Choose a gently used or new book and bring it to church on 11/8, 11/15, or 11/22.  There will be boxes for books at the Kids’ Community connecting table.

-          Bake or bring a food item to sell on 11/22 after service.  All proceeds will be used to send the books to the reservation.

2) Baby dedication:  Our next baby/young child dedication will be on February 7, 2010.  There is room for one more family to share their pledge.  I know that public speaking can be intimidating, but please consider connecting with the church community in this way so that we can pray for you and support you as parents.