THE HEIFER PROJECT

Heifer International offers our congregation another alternative for this season’s Christmas shopping, as well as a way to honor or memorialize family and friends. The basic concept is that instead of buying personal gifts for family and friends (who already have most everything they need anyway), you can purchase a cow or llama or ducks or bees or even trees. The farm animal, along with training in its care, is given to a needy family here in the U.S. or abroad. You then send a gift card announcing the gift in honor or in memory of a recipient. Heifer's key concept is that each recipient must pass on to others some of the offspring of the farm animals they receive. This principle, called "passing on the gift," assures that each participant in the program becomes a donor, enhancing dignity and participation in each project. Passing on the gift also helps communities to become self-sustaining.

Heifer International combats hunger, alleviates poverty, and restores the environment by providing appropriate livestock, training, and related services to small-scale farmers worldwide. Heifer helps people utilize livestock as an integral component of sustainable agriculture and holistic development. Heifer's projects strengthen rural families and communities through improved nourishment, increased production and the dissemination of skills and knowledge for self-reliance. Care for the earth's natural resources is emphasized through training in livestock management, pasture improvement, soil conservation, forestation and water harvesting.

Throughout December, members of the Peacemaking Committee provides the congregation with information about the project through “A Minute for Peacemaking” at the Sunday morning worship services. You may remember from past years that committee members have become quite creative in making their pitch! Gift catalogs and order forms are made available on the Peacemaking Table where you can place your orders and pick up gift cards. The great thing about Heifer International is knowing that it is a gift that “keeps on giving.”

To find out more about Heifer International, consult their web site at: http://www.heifer.org

Peacemaking Links:

Presbyterian Peacemaking Program http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking

Presbyterian for Restoring Creation http://www.prcweb.org/home.html

The Great Story
http://www.thegreatstory.org