Ministry Changes Name & Charge

On July 29, Session voted to change the name and charge of what was formally known as the “Community Engagement and Mission Ministry.” This came at the request of those on the the ministry. Here is a portion of the letter they submitted:

Formerly known as Outreach, or Community Engagement and Mission, this ministry of HPC is now seeks to work as “Engaging in Justice and Service” (EJS).

In thinking about the name, current team members wanted an action concept that avoids misconceptions...

More than just a new name, we hope Engaging in Justice and Service says exactly what this ministry hopes to be and do, expressed in action terms.

• Engaging means action that’s happening and continuing.

• Justice means choosing and promoting ways of treating all human beings as equally valued by God and amongst ourselves, per the teachings of Jesus.

• Service means finding needs and seeking to respond in love by caring, donating, giving, going, helping, listening, reaching out, spending time, stepping outside our comfort zones, maybe even washing feet.

As we seek to lead the church family in a rainbow arc of these actions, EJS wants to use three tools. First, we want to Educate about HPC’s calling to engage with the world this way, about the needs we find, and about organizations and projects (missions) in which we can participate. Second, we want to Communicate regularly with you, the church family. Third, we want to suggest and organize Opportunities for us all to engage in active justice and service…

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Tonkin - Chair
Liz Blankstein
Molly Peterson
Martha Camp

In reflecting on this change, Liz shares, “Justice and service are central parts to the Christian life. As we seek to do justice in todays world it encompasses a lot of things, from issues related to hunger and housing and wage and privilege. As a part of this ministry I’m really looking moving to these conversations forward with the church.”