Mission Activities
Jesus commands us to "feed my sheep" and we are challenged to obey by providing opportunities to the congregation for service, prayer, and support of various local, national, and international programs.
Additional responsibilities to the congregation include:
To guide and encourage understanding of Missions.
To challenge us to increase involvement.
To be accountable and faithful to the congregation in the use of money for Missions.
Our Adopt-a-Family 2011 Campaign Was Quite Successful
Kim Mishos of the Mission Commision thanks all who helped out this year in our Sandoval County Adopt a Family program. Ten families in need, with children aged 2-18 years, (and one family with nine children) received gifts and more from our church. Her appreciation goes out to Angels who bought gifts, donated $150.00 in gift cards, and helped her carry the all the beautiful gifts to the delivery site. There was a special Angel who again personalized and stuffed a stocking for each adoptee. Kim is now known as Mrs. Claus at CYFD of Sandoval County.
Mission Commission & Youth Packed Thanksgiving Bags at Storehouse West
The Mission Commission helped pack 110 bags of food October 30 for Thanksgiving Dinners for Storehouse West clients. Our church contributed 426 pounds of non-perishable items for the bags. Pie crust mix, canned vegetables, pumpkin pie mix, boxed potatoes, evaporated milk, jello...all of these items and more were packed in paper bags to be given out before Thanksgiving. On November 13, the Youth packed 70 additional bags.
Rio Rancho & Sandoval County
Meeting Space for Community Groups
Albuquerque & the Metro Region
Targeted Foreign Missions
PCUSA General Assembly Missions
Four Annual Offerings for distribution locally, nationally and internationally
Two Cents A Meal 5th Sundays
Two-Cents-A-Meal originated as a project of Presbyterian Women in response to the crisis of world hunger. RRPC designates every fifth Sunday throughout the year for this special offering to address hunger locally. The most recent Two Cents offering on October 30, 2011, raised $327.
The offerings invite Christians to:
contribute a few cents every meal
remember the needs of others in prayer
learn more about hunger in our community, nation, and world
experience the power of Christians working together in response to Jesus' command, "Give them something to eat!"
Matthew 25: 31-46..."I was hungry and you fed me."
Storehouse West
Storehouse West evolved from the efforts of RRPC to meet the needs of local residents through a food pantry. Today the agency is independent of RRPC but is supported wholeheartedly by volunteers, cash and food donations from our members.
Storehouse West is located at 1030-F Veranda Dr. SE, Rio Rancho, 505-892-2077. storehousewestnm.org.
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Colinas del Norte Elementary School
Our church family provided enough shelf-stable food that by the end of the 2010-2011 school year, backpacks for over 80 children were being sent home. This school year, 2011-12, RRPC volunteers are supplying food and funding on a regular basis. RRPC is the only church supporting this activity; other community support includes two Civitan groups. Our volunteers meet at the school at 2 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of every month to help fill 80+ backpacks.
Please bring food for this school year's backpacks to the Narthex counter Children's Food Box. Shelf-stable, (aka ambient) non-refrigerated items needed: stew/soup/canned pasta in pop-top cans or microwaveable packages; Ramen noodles; individual cartons of shelf-stable milk (white and chocolate, Horizon is one brand); fruit cups; granola bars; breakfast bars; single-serving tuna or chicken; microwaveable macroni and cheese; individual snack crackers or cookies; individual oatmeal packets; pudding cups; individual boxes of cereal; 100% juice box drinks.
Colinas del Norte, 1001 23rd Ave. NE, Rio Rancho. For more information call 994.0587 or email.
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Haven House
Haven House provides RRPC the opportunity to reach out to help support women and children who are impacted by violence and family disruption. More on this important refuge in Rio Rancho for those seeking safety and support during difficult times can be found at havenhouseinc.org, or call 505-896-4869.
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Military/Veteran Support
Our church family supports family members serving in the military by sending letters and care packages as well as donating personal items to veterans through the NM Veterans Affairs Health Care System. When Christmas 2010 rolled around, none of our military were in combat zones so our focus was on providing gifts and personal items for patients who were in the VA hospital over the holidays. This summer, we collected underwear, socks, toiletries, snacks, books, and magazines for indigent veterans. Our military continues to be in our prayers, and on-going efforts to support them continue as needs arise. To find out how you can assist, please go to www.whatwouldugive.org.
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Torreon Community Store
- Head Start Playground
The Store at Torreon/Star Lake Chapter of the Navajo Nation is in Sandoval County near Cuba, NM. Donations of money, goods and volunteer service to their Community Store come from individuals, faith communities like ours, businesses and organizations across the U.S. and New Mexico. Their tiny store serves a 50- to 60-mile radius and about 2,000 native people living in widely scattered households on the eastern edge of the Navajo Nation. The store serves as a job training site, as an example of small business development, and as a place to purchase needed items at low prices. Go to http://torreon.nndes.org, or call 505-731-2422 to contact.
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Share Your Care Adult Day Care Center-Westside
Share Your Care became a new weekday tenant in the our Fellowship Hall and classroom areas on June 4, 2010. SYC provides respite and general care for local residents needing care and activities away from home during the day. View full article and photos. 505-897-9025 or www.shareyourcare.org.
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Alcoholics Anonymous
A.A. is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; they are self-supporting through their own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution and does not wish to engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Their primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
RRPC supports AA by providing a private and quiet place within our facility to meet and share their experiences. Groups meet at RRPC on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM in the Library.
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Al-Anon
For over 55 years, Al-Anon (which includes Alateen for younger members) has been offering strength and hope for friends and families of problem drinkers. It is estimated that each alcoholic affects the lives of at least four other people; alcoholism is truly a family disease. No matter what relationship you have with an alcoholic, whether they are still drinking or not, all who have been affected by someone else's drinking can find solutions that lead to serenity in the Al-Anon/Alateen groups..
A local Al-Anon group meets at RRPC on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM in the Library.
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Girl Scouts of America
Girl Scouting (GSA) has been in New Mexico for more than 90 years and has given girls the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends, and develop the leadership skills needed for the future.
GSA proudly serves 5,000 girls and 2,000 adults in Northern and Central New Mexico with a variety of programs and activities. RRPC provides leadership and a meeting place for four troops with a total of over 40 girls.
Meetings at RRPC are on alternate Sundays at 4:30 p.m., weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Fridays at 6 p.m. To inquire about troops and activities, call 505-343-1040 or go to www.nmgirlscouts.org.
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Camino De Vida Hispanic/Latino Ministry
The Ministry, a new church development in Albuquerque's South Valley, is in a community that is 80% Spanish-speaking. In June 2010, RRPC members helped with food distribution to 75 needy families. We currently contribute to the purchase of food from Road Runner F banoodk at 5 cents a pound, as well as provide RRPC volunteers to assist with the once-a-month distribution to 85 to 100 families now. A second monthly food distribution is anticipated.
Rev. Guillermo Yela, the pastor, reports that currently plans are underway to seek a central location for all activities for which furnishings are being sought. The PC/USA-GA is providing funds for a year's rent. Worship, reading classes and the food distribution will all be located in one place rather than at a school and mobile home site.
How you can help:
1) volunteer to distribute food on the third Wednesday of each month
2) identify furniture/items you can spare when the need arises
3) pray for this ministry and its leaders
View Camino de Vida's exciting new website en Espanol at caminodevidanm.org, or call 505-514-9515. (To view in English, click the "select language" option.)
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Habitat For Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people.
Habitat is supported by volunteers from RRPC. The 2010 house was delayed until March 2011, but it went up in short order. Area Catholic and Presbyterian churches collaborate on the projects.
Martineztown House of Neighborly Service - Temporarily Closed Due to Lack of Funds
For the first time in its 85-year history, the doors of Martinezhouse House, which began as a neighborhood program of the Second Presbyterian Church in the late 1920's, are closed. For an account of the impact of the House's closing, read Leslie Linthicum's article from the November 3 Albuquerque Journal.
By 1953, MHNS had grown into a full fledged community service organization that was funded in-part by the Community Chest, now the United Way of Central New Mexico. +90% of the people served live in up to 250% percent below- poverty level. RRPC supported the program in part through our Presbyterian Women's group. The House is still located at 808 Edith Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. 87102. 505-242-4333 or www.Martineztown.org. The Board of Directors will spend the next six months fund-raising and evaluating the mission of the Martinezhouse.
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A Peaceful Habitation Home and Aftercare Ministry
Isaiah 32:18 My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Peaceful Habitation, supported by the RRPC Presbyterian Women, extends Christ's unconditional love and hope to women released from correctional facilities and helps them transition successfully from an institutional setting to an independent God-centered lifestyle. Transitional housing is in a safe, secure home-like environment providing a structured, supportive program that includes mentoring, compliance counseling and referrals for fulfillment of probational and parole mandates.
One-on-one mentoring is provided for each client. Mentoring activities include job readiness and dressing/preparing for an interview. Peaceful Habitation also provides parenting classes; financial readiness classes; education resources and referrals; transportation (bus passes); on-site GED preparation on site; and Bible studies.
Peaceful Habitation is dedicated to providing almost everything a woman needs for her transition back into her family and community.
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Dismas House
The House is a beacon of hope and safe passage for adults transitioning from jail or prison into society. Over the years, they have helped over 700 parolees transition successfully into society. With the generous help of the community, they have expanded their program into an 18-bed men's program in Albuquerque. RRPC has provided a variety of support. www.dismashousenewmexico.org.
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Mexican Scholars
Officially known as the Arrow Outreach Scholarship Program (formerly the Starfish Project), RRPC started participating in 2005 when we raised enough money for 2 scholarships at Socorro School in Juarez, Mexico. In 2009, we were able to provide scholarships for 10 students, for another 12 in 2010, and for 14 in 2011.
The scholarships are given to deserving students in Juarez, who want to continue their education beyond the required 6th grade but cannot afford the $200 to do so without financial aid.
Our annual potluck dinner provides the opportunity for an update and the option of contributing to the scholarships to impact the lives of young people in the midst of chaotic times. On 8/21/11 visitors from the Arrow Outreach Board and Pastor Luis Aguilar visited RRPC to give first-hand news of the project activities. The area continues to be dangerous. Prayers are needed for the protection and safety of the people there. The economy is impacting the financial support level of the program, so faithful giving is even more vital now. Watch for news of our next Mexican Scholars Potluck and join us in support of this important mission. View a presentation on this projectfileadmin/user_upload/Arrow_Outreach_Scholarship_Program.swf. www.arrowoutreach.org.
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The Well, Bangkok, Thailand
- Joy, Leith, Karin, Lani, Mark, and Carol Fuji
The Well is an outreach ministry to young women in the red light district of Bangkok. PC/USA mission workers Rev. Leith and Carol Fujii teach and minister to students at the Bangkok Institute of Theology. Carol serves in team ministry with one of her activities focusing on women of The Well project. RRPC has been blessed by visits from the Fujiis when they are visiting family in New Mexico. See more at http://servantworks.com/well, or contact the Fujiis at fujandham(at)yahoo.com.
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Cuba Work Group
- Inside the Casa Pastoral
Cuba Work Group is a project of the Presbytery of Santa Fe to provide support to the ministries of Cuban churches. In 1991, the Presbytery voted to enter into a Partnership Relationship with our sisters and brothers in the Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba. Donations in 2011 support: 1) pastors' travel between churches, both for salary supplement for pastors and for other needs as they arise; 2) continuing education of new leadership for the Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary, http://cuba-theological-seminary.com/, as well as other social projects being developed in connection with the Seminary; 3) the rebuilding of the Church in the Town of Placetas, one of the last remaining major construction projects for historic Cuban congregations, and 4) a mission project to reach out to Cuban communities to provide breakfast, lunch, and laundry services to those in need. For more, see www.santafepresbytery.org.
Heifer International
Heifer International works at "Ending Hunger - Caring for the Earth." RRPC youth get involved in fund raising for the organization's purchase of animals to support self-sufficiency in countries throughout the world. An on-going church effort is collection of used ink cartridges that are recycled with proceeds going to the organization. See http://www.heifer.org#.
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Matt:10: 40-42 He who receives you, receives me and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.....And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.
Matt. 11:28 Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matt: 12:35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him.
Matt: 20:25 Whoever wants to be first must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matt: 22:36-39 Which is the greatest commandment of the Law? Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given unto you.
Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart....For out of the overflow of his heart, his mouth speaks.
Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:47 From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
John 13:34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 20:16-17 Do you love me: Feed my lambs...take care of my sheep....feed my sheep.
John 14:15 If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth.
John 14: 23 If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Acts 20: 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
I Peter 4: 10-11 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.