Have you ever wondered what a big church, commonly called a Mega church, could do if they determined to get involved in their local community?They could make a Mega difference when it comes to city elections, helping promote city issues and remedies, thereby teaching the true meaning of "love your neighbor". Mega Churches with a Mega number of members reaching out to help and serve others, supporting our government, the homeless, the hungry, families in need, non-profits, the sick, the poor, the health challenged; volunteering in areas of interest to them. What a boost to have an entire church mobilized to go and be part of the great work we’ve been called to do.How many Mega Churches do we have in Mesa? I know of one, Word of Grace at 655 E. University. Senior Pastor Gary Kinnaman is doing his part in becoming a leader that is very committed to a community focus.The church, Pastor Kinnaman and staff have many affliations in Mesa, the surrounding community, the state, throughout the U.S. and internationally. Can you imagine what would happen if every Mega church mobilized their members and efforts in the community. In a word, Awesome!I would challenge every Mega church and local church to get involved, to care about your community, it’s a Mega Ministry!
Archive for March, 2006Census RemedyMarch 30th, 2006, 8:15 am by SharonI spoke to groups I’m involved in, promoting the mid-term Census in August 2005. One in thirteen households received a Census to determine the population count. Last year, the count for Hispanics were not under represented as in the past. It was important to remind everyone why it was so important to fill out and return the census. However, many hesitate sharing their information because they fear being deported, while others may not want to be counted for vaious reasons. It’s critical to let people know that the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share information collected from others including agencies; I learned this policy has not been broken since it’s inception in 1790, The information is confidential; there is no exception.Perhaps we would have gathered more from people if we were successful in getting the word out. Education was key when encouraging everyone to send back their census. Census WoesMarch 29th, 2006, 7:14 pm by steveikedaThis might be premature, but Mesa might be facing additional cuts from state shared reveue. According to the results of the special sensus taken last year, Mesa’s population wasn’t what the city projected, and therefor could lose an additional 3-6 million dollars from state shared revenue. Figures are currently being double checked, but lets hope that the census figures are incorrect. Exploring Adoption?March 28th, 2006, 11:19 pm by SharonThen join us a free, informative and interactive discussion on international adoption from Russia, China, Guatemala and India. Bringing children and families together. International Family services Upcoming Sales & Property Tax ForumsMarch 28th, 2006, 2:54 pm by steveikedaGet Informed on Tax IssuesGetting informed on the upcoming tax questions will be key in making the right choices in the May election. The following dates and locations will be good places in getting this information:April 4 Mesa Community College 1833 E. Southern Ave, Rm LB145 in the Eisner LibraryApril 5 MCC’s Community Room at Red Mountain Campus 7110 E. McKellips RdApril 6 MCC’s Mortuary Science Building 6001 S. Power Rd.April 11 MCC’s downtown campus 1025 N. Country Club, Room 349April 12 MCC’s downtown campus 165 N. Centennial Way, Room 11These forums are sponsored by Mesa Community College’s Center for Public Policy and the Mesa Republic and are all located in Mesa. All the forums are from 6-8pm and will have a nuetral moderator Fiesta TowersMarch 24th, 2006, 8:41 am by steveikedaOne of Mesa’s most progressive proposals!I was watching the zoning cases that air on Meas’s channel 11 on Thursday and saw the plans and drawings for Fiesta Towers and thought WOW, this is going to be some project! Very modern looking and certainly very progressive, something that is not normally seen in Mesa. We’re talking about 2 ten story buildings and 2 nineteen story buildings (maybe 25!) that may be built around the Fiesta Mall area, something this area could certainly use. My concerns for the project, which were brought up by the Zoning Board also, would be the traffic, parking, and marketabilty of this project. Prices for the units will range from $200k-$500k for units ranging from less than a thousand square feet to about eighteen hundred.With the projects that Mesa has built, is building, and are in the planning stages of being built, this area will start taking on a completely different look, maybe even a different image. It’s these types of projects that will keep Mesa in step with what other communities are doing. Powell is a Howell!March 22nd, 2006, 11:51 pm by SharonI’ve read some of the information that Mr. Powell has been putting out. He speaks to seniors, giving them the wrong attitude and view of many respected people.Like teachers, policemen, and firemen — my goodness, he doesn’t want to pay a fair wage to the very people that education us, protect us, and save us!There is also a conflict of who is doing what - like the reported $40,000 donated by the Home Builders to those people who want a propterty tax. Isn’t this the same group that recently donated money to a councilmember running for office that is against the property tax? Tell us about it.There is a lot of scary stories about a primary property tax, check out the facts, don’t believe everything you’re told. The cap is $30 million, the amount you pay most likely will decrease as the population grows. I don’t think seniors, or anyone else, wants to be deprived of some of the services we really depend on and give us a quality of life in Mesa.Some folks are just cranky and don’t realize how fortunate we are to have a well functioning city, we need to continue to help make it a better place too. Vote yes for both the primary property tax and the sales tax! Book on DownMarch 22nd, 2006, 11:12 am by SharonRemember that slang phrase "book on down", meaning come on down? In this case it’s two-fold, or three-fold if you turn your library book pages down to mark your spot!It’s all about the City of Mesa Library leadership, staff, and volunteers that continue to do an excellent job in maintaining a huge amount of quality work with a stream-lined crew, and time constraints due to the budget crunch; it has made it difficult to say the least but not impossible as we have learned. As a member of the Library Advisory Board, I was able to witness again at our meeting last night the excellence in service, the mind-set of those that focus on quality within the library, the remarkable commitment to serve the public’s needs through it’s administration, Librarians, staff, volunteers, organizations like Friends of the Library, and all of those interested in sustaining the benefits a library provides it’s community.In the midst of all this we learned of the good news — Heather Wolf has been appointed Director of the Mesa Libraries, who has been standing in as acting Director. Past Director Trisha Sorenson, now Acting Community Services Department Manager, began the process of cutting back library services as budget cuts became a reality. Both women have demonstrated remarkable administrative skills during this tedious process. It was clear to me at the City of Mesa Council Study Session on the city budget, March 9, that the Council too saw the exceptional knowledge, administrative skills, and ability to handle tough situations as they demonstrated credibility and thoughtfull insight into their presentation of Mesa’s tri-library system. The underlying support and confidence was apparent when the Council gave them the latitude to make the decisions on hours, services and staffing within the current budget constraints. Currently, the library’s staff shortage is at 37.1 FTE. The hours chosen to remain open: 46 hours, 6 days a week, for optimum public usage, those hours posted recently. Douglas Gerlach, also a City of Mesa Library Advisory Board member, appropriately sent an email this morning expressing what we support by saying — In addition to congratulating Heather and wishing her well at last night’s Library Advisory Board meeting — we also want to express our thanks and admiration for the tireless and superb effort given by Trish Sorenson during her tenure as the Acting Director, and commend all Library personnel for their work during these challenging, if not trying times. As a frequent user of the Dobson Ranch branch, I can say that the staff there continues to be just as friendly, personable, and helpful as they were three, four, five years ago, and beyond. Mesa Community Power OpportunityMarch 20th, 2006, 1:49 pm by SharonMonica de la Cerda is the new Community Power Program Manager that many of us participated in last year, including myself. Monica attended the first four classes that was then facilitated by her predecessor, Julia Avila.Monica is making herself available to all of those who would like her assistance. She says - 1. Let me be a resource to you. If there is any way that I can support you in your leadership efforts in your communities, please let me know.2. I will be periodically sending out informational emails to you about work and educational opportunities - hopefully to complement the great things you are already doing out there.3. Please feel free to share your successes with me, so I can share with other Community Power graduates. My goal is to build a supportive group of alums that work to increase the leadership capacity in our community.Monica recently provided information about volunteering and applying for U.S. Citizenship. Take advantage of this resource to further your leadership and educational development in Mesa!She can be reached at: 602-258-6797 ext. 132 monicad@valledelsol.com Here’s Your Chance - Apply for U.S. CitizenshipMarch 20th, 2006, 12:47 pm by SharonDo you or someone you know need help in applying for U.S. Citizenship? Here are the guidelines that must be met. Also, Volunteers are needed to assist in this rewarding process; training provided. Contact information for both is right here!April 22, a Saturday, Congressman Ed Pastor will hold a Citizenship Day event where legal residents will receive free help in filling out their citizenship applications. To become a U.S. citizen, a person must:- have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years, or have been married to a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years and been a legal permanent resident for at least 3 years.- be at least 18 years old.- be able to speak, read and write in English.- have good moral character, with no criminal problems during the past 5 years, including no DUI/DWI or other felony offenses.- pay a $400 fee on April 22 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to process your application.During this one-day event, trained volunteers will complete your citizenship application (N-400). The assistance is FREE. Immigration attorneys also will review all applications and check them for accuracy before the are submitted.For an appointment or more information, please call (602) 256-0551 Volunteers are needed to assist legal residents in filling out the N-400 application for U.S. citizenship. A mandatory 2.5 hour training is scheduled Wednesday, April 19, 5:30pm - 8pm. For more information or to RSVP for the training and Citizenship Day please email emari.herrera@mail.house.gov or call 602-256-0551. Feel free to forward this information to your contacts.This information provided by E. Mari Herrera-Daniels Community Liaison to Congressman Ed Pastor Congressman Ed Pastor, 411 N. Central Ave., Suite 150, Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-256-0551 |