Books for Children Who Need to Read
In addition to the St. Peter's Santa who delivers a gift book to each child at the 15th Street Elementary School for Christmas, St. Peter's funding through Together in Education will supply the school with three sets of books in 2009 which the entire student body will read simultaneously.

The book selected for January features Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The children in the lower grades will have the book read to them by their teachers or volunteers. The students from the third grade up will not only read the text themselves but will prepare skits and stories based on the life of Dr. King which they will present to the entire school at assemblies.

Emmitt Blankenfeld serves on the Library Team at the 15th Street School and has a hand in the selection and purchase of the multiple volumes used in the classrooms in what is described as a "Book of the Month Club" program for the second year in a row.

A rewarding New Year's resolution would be to enjoy the company of these striving youngsters as they improve their language and math skills. Volunteers are always welcome. Call Mary Austin (310-265-2912) or Jan Philbin (310-377-5740) to serve as a classroom volunteer or Mary Ann Donahue (310-791-1481) to meet individual children in the school library for the Wonder of Reading program.

Good News From Habitat for Humanity
Thanks to the leadership of Jean McDonald, Mike Tom and their team, St. Peter's had a large hand in the Presbytery of the Pacific build of a home in San Pedro for the Sanchez family in the new Habitat for Humanity community of Harborside Terrace. The family has moved from their makeshift garage accommodations and is now settled in their new dwelling, comfortable with furniture partly supplied with a "launch gift" from mission funds. They were able to host family gatherings during the holidays for the first time. The Sanchez family thanks St. Peter's for its support and friendship.

The SCIC supports Centro Shalom, an emergency outreach agency in Long Beach, Harbor Area Farmer's Markets, CROP Hunger Walks, congregation athletic leagues and the Good Samaritan Counseling Center.  It offers many interfaith worship opportunities, dialogues and community celebrations.  It has supported the development of such familiar organizations of help as SHAWL and Harbor Interfaith Services.  Call (562) 983-1665 or visit www.SCInterfaith.org for information.

St. Peter's by the Sea is grateful to have been a part of this valuable institution over many years.

St. Peter's By The Sea is a congregation seeking to always be faithful and generous with the gifts we have been given. Today more than any other time in history, people have more choices as to how to give of their time and talent.  They find themselves asking "Where do I fit in?" "Why am I here?" "What can I do that will make lasting impact in my life and in the lives of others?"  

For more information and to explore ministry opportunities please call Kandis Wannamaker, Director of Lay Ministry.
Kandis can be reached at (310) 377-6882, ext. 236 or by e-mail, kandis@spbts.org.

Kandis Wannamaker
Director, Lay Ministry

God created each of us for a purpose.  "For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:10