Remember to Share the Bounty This Spring

Now that spring looks like it has sprung and you begin planning your garden for this year, please remember to plant that extra row or two of produce (beans, carrots, peas, tomatoes, etc) to share with your neighbors, especially those members of the community who may not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

In order to make garden produce available and affordable, the AMOS Food Insecurity Task Force encourages encourages you to bring whatever extra produce you have grown to an assigned collection site. The distribution of that collected produce will be facilitated by the AMOS Food Insecurity Task Force and the Hunger Task Force, which serves several meal sites and the various food pantries in La Crosse such as WAFER. If you’re not a gardener, you still may take part in this project by purchasing produce at the local farmer’s markets (and thus helping the local economy by supporting local farmers) and contributing those items to the program.

For now, however, as you start preparations for tilling the garden, we ask that you think about planting extra seeds or setting out extra plants in order to share the bountiful harvest with others in our community. Help make the Coulee Region a healthier place and help your neighbor at the same time.

If you have questions about AMOS’ Share the Bounty program or how you can participate, please contact Sonja Simonson Schrag or Rod Tisthammer.

CRTHM Chili Supper on March 22

The Coulee Region Transitional Housing Ministry (CRTHM) is having a chili supper on Thursday March 22nd, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (corner of West Avenue and Division Streets). The cost is $6.00 and carry-outs are available.

CRTHM is a volunteer interfaith group with the purpose of raising funds that provide rental assistance to women as they transition from New Horizons Women’s Shelter to independent living. For tickets, contact Debbie Dukatz.

LICAH Volunteers Needed

Are you thinking of making a New Year’s resolution of volunteering more in 2012? Consider volunteering to be a mentor within the La Crosse Interfaith Collaborate for Affordable Housing (LICAH) Program. No experience is necessary and the commitment involves approximately 2 hours each month. Presently, there is a waiting list of individuals in need of support and encouragement who have applied and been accepted as participants within the LICAH program but cannot move forward until a mentor is available. The role of a mentor is to provide guidance, information and support through monthly visits (made in pairs) to these individuals.

If you are willing to volunteer as a mentor within this worthy program or would like more information, please contact Rod Tisthammer or the Social Ministry Team.

Angel Tree Gifts Due Dec. 11th

The Angel Tree for New Horizon’s is currently set up in the Narthex. There are still a few gift tags available. Please take a tag off the Angel Tree, buy the requested item, wrap your gift and then re-attach the entire tag to the package. Please bring your gift back to the church by Sunday, December 11th, 2011. The Social Ministry Team will deliver them to the New Horizon’s Women’s Shelter for Christmas.

Every year we have requests for children’s clothing, games, dolls, art sets, twin sheet sets, snow pants (sizes 6X – 14), stamps and stationary/journals, cleaning products, pillows and much more. Gas cards, gift cards for hair cuts, disposable cameras with a gift certificate to process the film and movie passes are always big hits at the shelter. If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact Rod Tisthammer. Thank you for your support of this great outreach ministry!

RIC Pride Table Volunteers Needed

In August, Our Savior’s will be one of the exhibitors at the 10th Annual La Crosse Pride Festival held at the Southside Oktoberfest Grounds. La Crosse Pride seeks to educate, celebrate and embrace diversity and talents of ALL people in the Seven Rivers Region. The purpose of this event is to build bridges and develop a community in which ALL individuals are accepted and treated equally.

If you would like to volunteer at the OSLC table and share in this “bridge building”, please contact Rod Tisthammer. Thank you!

LWR Health Kits Now Available

The Lutheran World Relief Health Kits are available in the Narthex. All you need to do is pick up a plastic bag and fill it with the items listed on the sheet inside. The completed health kits can be returned to the black cart also located in the Narthex. Please have the health kits back by Sunday April 17th (Palm Sunday).

AMOS Seeking Task Force Members

AMOS (Advocating-Mobilizing-Organizing in Solidarity) is an interfaith congregation-based coalition working for justice in the La Crosse area. AMOS has formed four task forces to address issues here in La Crosse. The task forces are: Healthcare, Hmong Issues, Restorative Justice and Food Insecurity in La Crosse. Volunteers are needed to develop a “core team” here at OSLC and/or join one of the task forces. Task forces are made up of people committed to doing justice in their parish and in the La Crosse area.

AMOS is endorsed by the synod Church in Society Committee. Complete task force information may be found online. Questions or concerns may be directed to Rod Tisthammer.

Sponsor A Meal 2011 is The Perfect Gift

Fact: Christmas is coming. Fact:There are relatives/ friends you just don’t know what to buy for Christmas. Solution: “Sponsor-A-Meal” for Come For Supper!

When you sponsor a meal, you are helping someone less fortunate get a hot meal and usually another meal to take home. With this gift, you are expressing the love and appreciation towards that special relative/friend while at the same time giving the same gift of love/appreciation towards someone you don’t even know. What could make a better Christmas gift?

When you “Sponsor A Meal”, you will receive a professional grade linen card with the name of the recipient (In Honor of -or- In Memory of) and sponsor level printed on the inside of the card along with a matching envelope. Here are the different levels you can sponsor a meal:

$10.00	Beverage
$25.00	Appetizer
$50.00	Soup de Jour
$100.00	Main Entrée
$250.00	Creme Brulee
$500.00	Celebration

There will be a table set up by the fellowship hall during the holidays for the purchase of your sponsorship gift. You may also purchase them from Nance Klapper, Gretchen Crary, or Rod Tisthammer. They will also answer any questions and/or concerns.

Have a GREAT Christmas Season!

New Horizon’s Angel Tree in Narthex

The Angel Tree for New Horizon’s is set up in the Narthex. Please take a tag, buy the requested item, wrap your gift and re-attach the entire tag to the gift. Please bring your gift to the church by Sunday December 12th, 2010 and place under the Angel Tree. The Social Ministry Team will deliver all the gifts to the New Horizon’s Women’s Shelter for Christmas. Thank you!

AMOS 3rd Anniversary Supper November 20th, 2010

AMOS will celebrate its third anniversary with a Harvest of Justice Advocacy Dinner on Saturday November 20, 2010 right here at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. The evening begins at 6:30 pm and will feature a harvest dinner theme, skits, special music, the presentation of the Seeds of Justice Award and more.

Tickets, which are $20, are available from Sonja Simonson Schrag or Rod Tisthammer or you may call the AMOS office at 608.782.1394.

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