Northwest Regional Ministery

COMPASSION AND LOVE PREACHED AT OBAMA NATIONAL PRAYER SERVICE

Preaching at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on 21 January, Watkins, a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee, said: "Even in these hard times, rich or poor, we can reach out to our neighbour, including our global neighbour, in generous hospitality, building together communities of possibility and of hope."

WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia assured Watkins of the Council's joy and pride over her role as preacher in the inaugural service. Watkins is the first woman to fulfil this responsibility in US history. With regard to domestic and international challenges that will have to be addressed by the new administration, he wrote in a 19 January letter: "Your prayers will be much needed."

Watkins' sermon took on a recent suggestion by Muslim scholars worldwide for love of God and love of neighbour as "common basis for building a world at peace", explaining that the best way to express love of God "is by facing hard times with a generous spirit: by reaching out toward each other rather than turning our backs on each other."

Full text of Rev. Dr Sharon Watkins' sermon:
http://oikoumene.org/fileadmin/wcc-usa/files/2009/Obama_NPS_sermon_Watkins.pdf

Disciples Share

Emergency Clean-up Buckets

These supplies will enable people to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after emergencies.
To assemble an Emergency Clean-up Bucket you will need:

    * One five-gallon bucket with resealable lid

    * Five scouring pads

    * Seven sponges, assorted sizes

    * One scrub brush
    
    * Eighteen cleaning towels (reusable, like Easy Wipes®)

    * One 50-78 oz. box dry laundry detergent

    * One 12 oz. bottle of liquid concentrated household cleaner (like Lysol®)
    
    * One 25 oz. bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn®)

    * Fifty clothespins

    * Clothesline, two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.

    * Five dust masks

    * Two pairs latex gloves (like Playtex®)

    * One pair work gloves

    * 24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon)

Please purchase all liquids in plastic bottles. Be sure to send only new, unopened materials. Put all items in the plastic bucket, making sure they are packed securely to avoid damage during shipment, and seal lid with packing tape. Place each Bucket in a separate box.

Content information, along with packaging and shipping instructions, can be found at "Gift of the Heart" Kits information.