Mission Committee - February 2026

Notes from the Mission Committee:

Thank you for your contributions to this year's Giving Tree charities. $560 was raised for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank. 22 Jared Boxes were filled with games and activities for children at area hospitals. And a nice assortment of cat food, dog food, leashes, treats, toys and towels was collected for Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. In addition, a member of Hooks and Needles crocheted 40 lap robes which were provided to seniors residing at Presbyterian Senior Care in Washington County.

On March 15, 2026, a number of us from Bower Hill will be attending the 29th annual Empty Bowls Dinner at Rodef Shalom in Oakland. You may select a bowl made by local potters, in which your soup selection will be served. This is a fundraiser for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank. Tickets are $35 in advance, or $40 at the door. Take this opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors for an informal meal of local chef-created soups, hearty bread and other tasty treats. Seatings are at 1:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. We'll meet in the church parking lot to carpool. Watch for further details.

Thank you to the 75th Anniversary Committee for planning a church service, accompanied by a service project, for Sunday, February 1. Our supportive relationships with Casa San Jose, Neighborhood Academy and SHIM were highlighted, and bags of snacks, treats, and toiletry items were assembled for the three organizations.

Our mission efforts with New Hope Worship Center (formerly Carnegie Pres) continues with meal preparation the fourth Sunday of each month. Carnegie Carryout Dinners have been prepared for an average of 60 individuals who greatly appreciate the hot, free meal. St. John's Lutheran Church in Carnegie will be joining in our efforts, as we

continue to seek additional congregations to join in this project.

Global Links, an occasional recipient of Bower Hill's mission support, is holding a virtual "Lunch and Learn" February 5, 2026 at noon. Global Links collects useful surplus medical materials from area hospitals and shares them with international and domestic partners. They also work to educate others on issues of global health and environmental stewardship. Their International Medical Aid Program has collaborated on health improvement projects, education exchanges, and medical studies in 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries over the past three decades. To sign up for this Zoom session, visit Global Links' website at globallinks.org and click on the "Lunch and Learn" icon to sign up.