HANOVER AREA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES PAL DATE:   March 22, 2025 and April 26, 2025

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING UCC Offering Date – March 30th
Theme for 2025 is: “BE THE LIGHT”
This vital United Church of Christ offering connects us to victims of disasters and refugees around the globe.  Development programs are setup for healthcare and food security. This ensures immediate response and ongoing recovery for individuals and communities.  Our contributions will help meet the urgent needs of victims while addressing the root causes of vulnerability, helping to offer sustainable solutions for those in affected communities.  “Be the Light” for those affected by disaster. Envelopes are on the offering table for your use. Thank you for your participation.

OPERATION GREENLIGHT
During the month of April, we will be collecting an offering to support Greenlight Operation in Camp Hill, PA.  This is a non-denominational faith-based and Christ-centered organization, 501©(3) Non-profit. Founded in 2018, it exists to disrupt human trafficking and have survivors restored. Their mission is to combat human trafficking and serve sex-trafficked women through restorative care.  Currently, they are renovating a house in the greater Harrisburg area that will serve women who have been sex trafficked. The home will provide free housing, trauma-informed therapy and life skills coaching to these women.  Our donations will help with the restoration home project, as well as help offer free anti-human trafficking trainings to the public and support efforts to collaborate with lawmakers and law enforcement to rid our communities of this crime.  We urge you to visit their website www.greenlightoperation.org to learn more about this vital organization, review their 2024 Business Plan under the Resources tab, read their Statement of Faith.  Offering envelopes and flyers with additional details on the care provided for these women are on the offering table.

MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED!
There is an urgent need for volunteers for the Meals on Wheels program. There are currently 53 clients receiving cooked meals Mondays through Fridays.  Could you volunteer to help? Please consider volunteering. Even 1 day per week would be a great help. Clients are given approval by their doctors for this program.  Deliveries take about 1 hour from 11:30 to 12:30. Please call the Council office at 717-633-6353 to offer your assistance.

STOLTE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Stolte Scholarship provides a one-time grant of $1000.00 to an individual pursuing a career in the field of ministry, missions or humanitarian service. Interested applicants must be residents of the greater Hanover area and should be a high school senior, college student or seminary student.
To apply you need to fill out an application form which are available on the offering table. You will also need to provide a summary of your calling into your field of ministry. Applicants are to be active members of a church, display good moral character and exhibit high scholastic ability.
Instructions and address for mailing is on the form. The deadline for applications is April 25th.

“THANK YOU”
Thank you letter from the recipient of the Harvey M. Light Scholarship at Lancaster Seminary
The recipient of this year’s scholarship was Andrew Boyer, Master of Divinity, York, PA.
Thank you for supporting me in my seminary journey. I feel, in just one semester that I have learned a lot about myself and about the ways in which I can be of service to others. I come from a family of UCC pastors and have been learning where I fit within that family history. I have particularly enjoyed spending time with my classmates and getting to learn from people whose lives are very different than my own. I will continue to work to the best of my ability to earn the scholarship that was so graciously gifted to me. My ultimate hope is to graduate with my Master of Divinity degree and become a local church pastor where I can continue to serve others and show them the love of Christ. Thank you again for this opportunity and I look forward to the rest of the next four year of my seminary education.
​Andrew Boyer

“THANK YOU Notes & Letters”
Thank you letter from HACC for our church’s donation
Dear St. David’s United Church of Christ,
On behalf of our entire team, thank you for your generous donation of $500. Your contribution has been allocated to our “Greatest Needs” fund, enabling us to address the most pressing needs within our community.  Thanks to your support, we are able to continue serving the Hanover community through various ministries including Provide-A-Lunch, Meals-on-Wheels, Changing Lives Homeless Shelter, the Clothing Bank and Ruth’s Harvest. With God’s blessings and your generosity, countless lives have been positively impacted and transformed.  Your partnership is vital to our mission and we are truly grateful for your trust and commitment. Your donation ensures that we can continue providing essential assistance to those in need in our community. Once again, thank you for your kindness and support. Together, we are making a lasting difference.
Erika Gonzalez, Interim Executive Director

THANK YOU from CHURCH WORLD SERVICE for Our Blankets Plus offering of $1,715.00
Dear Friends from St. David’s UCC,
Thank you for your generous gift to the CWS Blankets program. As families and communities around the world recover from emergencies and struggle in the face of unprecedented challenges, you are standing with them. Now more than ever, we are so grateful for your generous support.  Your contribution provides warmth, comfort and hope to neighbors near and far. It provides a tangible reminder to migrant families that they are not alone as they seek safety. It wraps refugees in warmth as they arrive in the United States to build a new future. It provides comfort to our neighbors who have lost homes or are struggling in the face of extreme challenges. Around the world, your support means relief and hope.  Because of you, Church World Service is able to respond when disasters occur and support is needed. Thanks to your compassion, we can—and will—change lives.
Sincerely,
Rick Santos, President & CEO Church World Service

Thank you from American Red Cross for St. David’s support in combatting wildfires.
Dear Red Cross Supporter,
On behalf of the American Red Cross, thank you for your generous gift of $100.00 which will be applied to Disaster Relief. This is truly making an impact in the lives of those we serve every day.  During their darkest hours, people know they can turn to the Red Cross for comfort and care. Our humanitarian mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies depends on the compassion of generous donors.  Red Cross Supporter, I am deeply grateful for your commitment to the lifesaving work of the Red Cross. Thank you once again for standing with us to help turn heartbreak into hope.
Sincerely,
Cliff Holtz, President and CEO American Red Cross

Thank you St. David’s members for these items being donated.

• New Hope Ministries in New Oxford were very appreciative of our donation of household supplies. We received 109 items with a value of $675.00
• For Love of a Veteran - We donated 224 items for our vets valued at $810.00. These items reach servicemen and women all over the world.
• Dee Hertzog’s Yoga Class has provided $700.00 worth of baby items such as diapers, wipes and clothing to the Tender Care Pregnancy Center in Hanover.

HANOVER AREA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES – CLOTHING BANK
The Clothing Bank has been renovated and is open for business. They have updated the facilities and have areas that are “Dress for Success” for those going on job interviews.
Do you work in Healthcare? Scrubs are available. For those in the restaurant industry, they have black pants.  Did you know they are much more than just clothing? There are household goods, toys, books and other clothing accessories.
The Clothing Bank is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am to 12pm. They are also open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 9am to 4pm.
Donations are appreciated and can be dropped off at the rear of the building at 136 Carlisle street at the loading dock between the hours of 8am to 1pm.

HANOVER AREA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: “GET INVOLVED”
The Council of Churches is very busy every day of the week. They rely heavily on the work of their wonderful volunteers. Without volunteers, the Council cannot fulfill God’s mission to provide resources to our community. Stop in to see how the Council works, volunteer your time and talent whenever you are able. Even an hour of time can help tremendously!
Don’t forget to check the donations list on the offering table for all of the Council Needs! Your help is very much appreciated! Call 717-633-6353 to volunteer.
Seeking volunteers in the following areas:

• MEALS ON WHEELS: Runners and drivers to deliver hot meals to the homebound. 9:30am-11:00am Monday through Friday. (Volunteers can be flexible with available days.)
• CLOTHING BANK: Wash, sort and hang clothing. Organize household items, shoes, etc. Assist in sales on Tuesday and Thursday 9am-Noon. Load and deliver overflow donations to Community Aid.
• CHANGING LIVES SHELTER: The shelter is looking for groups to provide evening programs, such as game nights, crafts, worship and more! You can shine positive light into the lives of those in need.
• PAL PROGRAM: Volunteers are needed to sort food donations, make donation pickups from local vendors and more. Extra help would be appreciated for PAL on Saturday and Sunday meals, for help in serving the clients in the dining room, by opening bags, getting juice bottles out and serving platters to the clients.  Hours are typically 8:30am-12:30pm.

HACC CLOTHING BANK - "HEAVENLY CLOTHING BANK"
Open Tuesday and Thursdays from 9AM to Noon and Wednesday evenings from 6—8PM. Also the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 9AM to Noon