Tending the "Pig Pen": Someone Has To Do It!; CCC Work Proceeding; CCC's Mission Giving Helps India's Rural Health; Donating Cars Helps CCC; CMMC Seeks Mentors;  
CCC's Spring Luncheon

What do you think stewardship is? Most of us are familiar with biblical references to stewardship. Joseph was a steward in Egypt. In the New Testament, Jesus tells the parable about the faithful steward. But where does the English word steward come from?

Steward is a combination of the old English words stieg and waerd. Stieg means "pen, cage or hall," and it survives in the word pig-sty. Waerd means "to guard or care for," and we can see it words such as warden. A steward is one who takes care of the pigs. Part of the steward's job was to see that there was enough meat to last the English winter.

In a very real sense, that is what stewardship still means -- to take care of present needs with an eye towards the future.

This year the members of CCC have repeatedly demonstrated their ability and willingness to give generously towards the Keystones Campaign. This is important. Without this generosity, we will not have our remodeled church home, which, God willing, we will be able to move into next spring.

We also need to continue giving to the operating budget of the church. This is what pays for the lights and electricity and the mortgage, not to mention staff salaries. So far this year, we have received 182 pledges for a total of $407,218. The average pledge has increased 17% this year. This is truly phenomenal, and we should all pat ourselves on the back.

In spite of the increased level of giving, we are still about $35,000 short of meeting our budget. If you have forgotten to pledge, please do so. If you have misplaced your pledge card, call the church office, and we will send one out.

One last reminder: summer is a time when many of us don't attend church as regularly as we usually do. However, the regular church bills still need to be paid. Even if you can't make it to church yourself, would you please make sure that your pledge payments do?

John Gipson, Board of Stewardship (alias Pig Pen)

CCC Work Proceeding

Securing final utility permits, excavating for the courtyard and new entry addition, and demolishing the tower area are scheduled for completion in the next two to four weeks, according to Fred Svec, project manager for Henry H. Lewis Contractors. At the third progress meeting on June 13, Svec reported the project is ahead of schedule and proceeding smoothly.

Site superintendent Mike Grabowski noted excavation will begin when rough grading of the parking area is complete. Building Design Committee leaders, architects, contractors and civil and mechanical engineers are coordinating efforts to secure final permits from WSSC, Washington Gas and PEPCO.

Removal of paneling, doors, plumbing fixtures and other materials continues in the Education Wing as structural engineers finalize plans to install a steel support beam on the second floor just inside the new entry. When the beam is in place, demolition of the stairway, walls and floors in the tower area will commence.

Concurrently, workers will excavate for the new entry before moving on to the courtyard. Contractors could begin installing foundation footings for the entry within the next month.

Jackie Walters, Building Design Committee

CCC's Mission Giving Helps India's Rural Health

(The following article examines an international mission supported by CCC.)

On Sun., May 25, Dr. Shoba Arole, daughter of the founders of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP) in Jamkhed, India, met with CCC members at the home of Charles and Gabe Heins. The Aroles' health project has been a longtime recipient of CCC mission funding.

CRHP was started in 1970 by Drs. Raj and Mabelle Arole. They realized that the usual way of providing medical care -- mainly in a hospital or clinic based on a western medical model -- was not improving the health of individuals or communities. They wanted to devise a new approach, and the result is their program of community-based primary health care and. It aims to empower people, especially the poorest and marginalized, to take their health into their own hands and improve their communities.

CRHP initially covered 8 villages, but it has grown to reach 400 villages and 500,000 persons. The project has a three-tiered approach to effective health care, but is primarily focused at the grassroots level.

The strategy relies on the Village Health Worker (VHW), a woman selected by her community who may or may not have formal education. She is then trained in basic health knowledge and social issues. She improves the health of her village through sharing of knowledge and organizing the community, as well as providing minor medical care.

She trains at the health center in Jamkhed in addition to training in her village or in the village of an experienced VHW. The training is value-based, so it addresses concepts like caring, love and harmony, as well as improving self-esteem and personal and social development.

Another community component is Farmers' Clubs, which draw young men from all castes who are eager to improve their villages. They learn to work together, developing programs that will benefit the whole community. The clubs focus on employment, farming methods, water resources development and improved housing.

In Women's Clubs, women from different caste groups meet to share health knowledge and improve their socio-economic status. These groups are prime movers in areas such as nutrition, health and hygiene, reforestation, credit banks and income generation.

Children's Groups focus on sharing health knowledge and improving self esteem.

The second tier to effective health care is the Mobile Team. This includes a doctor, nurse, social worker and paramedic worker. The Mobile Team supports the VHW and serves as a liaison between the village and health center. The third tier is the hospital and training center. The hospital treats health problems that cannot be addressed in the village. The training center supports VHWs and offers seminars on various community topics.

In 30 years of operation, CRHP has treated 7,620 TB patients, treated and rehabilitated 4,611 leprosy patients, and provided thousands of artificial limbs. It has trained 4,550 Indian nationals and 1,323 international students from 92 countries.

CRHP has developed plant nurseries in 45 villages, planted over 5 million trees, built 270 houses for the poor and dug hundreds of irrigation and drinking water wells. Nearly 5,000 women have been involved in credit programs, and nearly 1,000 have trained in job skills. This mission project truly makes a difference!

Holly Brooks, CCC Communications Officer

Donating Cars Helps CCC

Don't forget that CCC participates in Vehicle Donations of Maryland. Vehicles of any kind, in any condition, can be donated to CCC. The donor receives a tax deduction to the extent allowable by law. CCC receives 60 percent of the sale price, and has recently had six vehicles donated. Call Greg Linden at (301) 854-2851 and leave a message. Within 24 hours after you've heard from us, your car/boat/truck will be picked up and you will receive a form for tax-reporting purposes. Spread the word!

Holly Brooks, CCC Communications Officer

CMMC Seeks Mentors 

Community Ministry of Montgomery County (CMMC) begins a microenterprise practice this fall. The intent is to have low-income workers develop their own businesses. Typical microenterprise businesses are landscaping, property maintenance, web designing, day care and sewing crafts.

CMMC will work with these new entrepreneurs as they write business plans, understand payroll and tax responsibilities and assist in establishing credit. Then the new entrepreneur will come to CMMC for a new business loan. CMMC's technical expertise/mentor relationship will continue after the loan is made.

CMMC is recruiting business men and women from our congregations and community to assist with various elements of the program. That includes serving on the loan committee and advisory board and individual mentoring. Please call Becky Wagner at CMMC (301) 315-1099 to discuss this new opportunity.

CCC's Spring Luncheon
(Pictures of this event)

On Thurs., May 31, over 50 people attended the Spring Luncheon held in Marvin Memorial's social hall. The afternoon began with a program of spring-themed songs from Patricia O'Connor and John Touchton, followed by a sing-along.

After lunch, Bill Amoss gave a presentation on the Vishnevskaya-Rostropovich Foundation, an organization created in 1992 to strengthen the health care system for children in Russia. The foundation, which partners with Georgetown University Children's Medical Center, recently completed a pilot immunization project that it will expand throughout the country. The event was an enjoyable, entertaining and informative afternoon.

Holly Brooks, CCC Communications Officer

News Notes Deadlines

PLEASE NOTE: News Notes will appear once in mid-July and once in mid-August. The deadline for the July 15 issue will be Thursday, July 12 at 5 p.m. News Notes editor -- Susan DeFord (301) 649-3093, or sjdkjk@erols.com

CCC Staff

The Rev. Jim Todhunter, senior minister; the Rev. Linda Carder, assoc. minister; John Touchton, director of music; the Rev. Dale Ostrander, director of programming for older adults; Toby Ratcliffe, church school coordinator; Richard Meyer, property administrator; Ruth Avery, office administrator.