Prison Ministry Training

The Federal Detention Center is holding its annual volunteer orientation Tuesday evening, August 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 at the FDC, 700 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Volunteers must be members or regular attenders of Tenth Church. For information email David Apple, Director of Mercy Ministries. For other training material click here. Criminal and child abuse clearence forms will be provided.

Packing Help Needed Tonight

Freeman Tang has been detained in Canada. He needs help moving his belongings there. Sam Thomas and Charlie Hammell are packing this evening and could use help. The address is 540 Collings Ave A 916 Collingswood, NJ. You can contact Sam for more info at 610-470-9070. They will also be needing help on Saturday, July 11, to load the truck.

Friday Off

The church office is closed this Friday for 4th of July observance. But it will be closed every Friday through August 7. The primary motivation is to conserve operating costs during the difficult economy.

What that means for you is:

1. You won't be able to drop in on Fridays. The exception is when there is a planned event such as a wedding or wedding reheasal. The building will be made accessible for those involved with the event.

2. You can call in or email with pastoral concerns. I will monitor such communications and get back to you as soon as possible. My number is 215.735.7688x245. Email - mclark@tenth.org.

3. You will need to get announcements for the bulletin in by Monday noon.

4. Cora will have an extra day for her palm reading business (see below).

VBS Volunteers

Maranatha Chung sent this request in:

Youth in Action 2009 has provided fun and Bible teachings to 97 kids this year. We are in the middle of our first week of Art Program, Sports Program, and VBS right now. Our second week of program is also at Austin Meehan Middle School at 3001 Ryan Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152.

However, we still need a number of counselors and camp nurses for our Science Program and VBS next week from July 7 to July 10 between 9am and 2:30pm. If anyone needs to talk to me, please call me at 267-240-3326.

Bill Gage

Bill Gage, a Presbyterian minister, died June 10. His funeral service was held on the 18th. You can read his obituary here. Note that he grew up in Tenth Church, where he also met his wife. Erna Goulding tells me that they were the first couple to greet Dr. Koop when he first came to Tenth.

Enter into His Courts! (Week-long Christian Street Outreach)

Our theme for the week is Psalm 100-- join us as we share the good news of the gospel with our neighbors! Pray that they, too, would come to "Know that the Lord, He is God."

When? Monday–Friday, July 20–24, starting at 3:30 pm
Where? Marian Anderson Rec Center (17th Street, between Fitzwater and Catharine)
What? Kids Program (for ages 5-9), Basketball Camp (for ages 10-13), Dinner (all ages)

We invite you to participate in this week-long outreach! The schedule for each afternoon/evening is as follows:
3:00 pm Registration for Basketball Camp begins
3:30pm Basketball Camp; Registration for Kids’ Program begins
4:00 pm Kids’ Program Begins
5:30 pm Gospel Message
6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Clean-up; Prayer for the City (Thursday only); Awards Ceremony (Friday only)

Volunteers are still needed to help in the following areas:
Food (providing, preparing, and serving)
Basketball (coaching, assisting, acting as referee)
Setting up and tearing down
Mingling with neighbors during dinner

There is a job for everyone! Please contact Anne (adavies@tenth.org or x243) if you are willing and available to help.

Cora's Palm Readings

As you know, we do allow pastoral staff to have outside ministries, but I think Cora has crossed the line.

Sublet Available (this one is for a boy, though...)

Christian guys have room available for sublet: Room available until August 6. Room measures 16 by 13 feet, in a large house built in 2007, at 21st and Christian Streets. House features a roof deck and is within walking distance of Tenth Church, Penn, and Drexel. Cost is $150 per week. Contact Matthew at matthew[at]mrwright.org or 215-316-8543.

Sublet available

Room available for 1 month sublet: July 10-August 12, 2009, to woman subletter—apartment to share with kind roommate: large kitchen, living room, bathroom, front porch, small backyard. Welcoming, homey feel. $350.00 + $15.00 electric. West Philadelphia, 2 blocks from trolley, friendly neighbors. Contact Heather by email OR at 215-387-3042 through July 10.

"President" Gains

Here is a picture of Mosheh "You May Call Me Mr. President" Gains, as he stands in as the president (Yes, the President of the United States!) for dress rehearsals of the president's health care address.

PAC Course

In 2 Corinthians 5:20 the apostle Paul tells us that "we are ambassadors for Christ." What does it look like to represent Jesus Christ in this broken, sinful, twisted world, with all of it's sufferings and blessings?

How should we respond to these things as we encounter them? What do you do when you blow it and you know God wants you to change? How do you represent Jesus to a brother or sister entangled in sin or suffering? What does the Bible say? If you would like answers to these questions and others like them, think about taking the "Changing Hearts, Changing Lives" course offered at the Philadelphia Access Center in South Philly, beginning September 12th.

The classes will meet on Saturday mornings from 9:30 till around 11:30. There is a moderate fee but don't let that keep you away. The registration deadline is August 28th. Seating is limited, so please register as soon as possible. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Joe Welch at 215 389-1985 ext. 25, or by email.

College student looking for work

I am an experienced, energetic, college sophomore home for the summer and looking for work. Much of my work experience has been with children. I have been involved in Tenth's Hide It In Your Heart ministry, as well as their Angel Tree Tutoring ministry. I've had experience with babysitting children of all ages in the community and caring for neighbor's pets. I've also had general housekeeping experience. Location: South Philadelphia. Please feel free to contact me, Catherine, by email or at 215-764-0923.

Thank you,

Catherine Kreamer

Honduras Report

There has been a military coup in Honduras. The following is a link from the U.S. Embassy there:

http://honduras.usembassy.gov/pubanc09_arrzelaya.html

We have heard from our team there. It is calm where they are and daily life is proceeding normally.