UCC Community of Hope in Tulsa Vists Community in Nicaragua

Community of Hope UCC in Tulsa, OK has been partnering with the community of Chacraseca in Nicaragua for over a decade to help with the various needs of that community ranging from school scholarships to housing.  The goal of the partnership is to develop a long-term relationship between the companions of Community of Hope and the people of Chacraseca.  The needs of Chacraseca are prioritized by the Pastoral Committee of that community and shared with Community of Hope and other churches and organizations that are in similar partnering arrangements.  One month ago, Community of Hope, along with other Disciples and UCC congregations in Oklahoma, hosted Mr. Ivan Hernandez, the Vice-Chair of the Pastoral Committee during his first visit to the United States.

This year, Community of Hope is providing scholarships for 143 elementary school children, and the financial resources and labor to build a home for one family.  (Part of the financial commitments are made possible by a grant from the UCC’s Neighbors in Need special offering, while the rest comes from the companions at Community of Hope.)  This coming Sunday, July 18, Community of Hope will commission this year’s mission team at their 6pm worship service.  All are invited to join us as we bless these volunteers who will leave the following Saturday, July 24, spend a week with the people of Chacraseca helping to build the home and assist with other needs specified by the Pastoral Committee, and return on Sunday, August 1.