Three Cups of Tea
Lenten theme and program 2010
During Lent 2010, St. Mary's will be reaching out once again to one of the most war-torn parts of the world, and one that has gathered much unwanted attention
in the last 10 years - the rugged frontier between Pakistan and
Afghanistan. Using Greg Mortenson's book "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's
Mission to Promote Peace, One School At A Time," the Global Outreach
Committee invites everyone to participate in a stimulating month of
events outlined below.
Similar to several years ago when St. Mary's children championed Pennies for Peace, monetary contributions will be channeled toward building schools in and around Pakistan
through the Central Asia Institute. This year,
our 2010 efforts will go further with with reading materials available
for really young readers, youth and adults, and with some great sermons
and presentations. Copies of the books will be available for purchase
during coffee hour.
What is Three Cups of Tea all about? It started in 1993, when Greg Mortenson
climbed Pakistan's K2, and became separated from his guide during the
return trip. He was taken in by families in a remote village called
Korphe,
where he recovered from serious exposure. Mortenson met a group
of children sitting in the dirt writing with sticks in the sand, and
made a promise to help them build a school. From that time, he grew a
remarkable humanitarian campaign, in which Mortenson has dedicated his
life to promote education, especially for girls, in remote regions of
Pakistan and Afghanistan.
As of 2009, Mortenson has established or significantly supports 131 schools
in rural and often volatile regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, which
provide education
to over 58,000 children, including 44,000 girls,
where few education opportunities existed before.
Education is critical not only to counter fundamentalism (not surprisingly, madrassas have sprung up all over this region in the last 20 years as well), but also to draw people out of poverty. The most important key for this is educating girls and women, not a simple task in this region.
We are inspired to continue to fight to end world hunger as outlined in the United Nations Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), and hope the parish will be inspired as well.
Three Cups of Tea Program 2010
- Sermon, "Three Cups of Tea," Rev. LeeAnne Watkins
- Sunday School Curriculum, "Listen to the Wind"
- Tea Offering to the Congregation
- Books for Sale:
- Three Cups of Tea
- Three Cups of Tea, Young Readers version
- Listen to the Wind, Picture Book
- Stones into Schools, by Greg Mortenson
- Sermon, "The flame that burns at the center of his work," Kris Hennelly
- Sunday School Curriculum: "Listen to the Wind Part II"
- Books for Sale
- "Pennies for Peace" launched
- Sermon, Rt. Rev. Bishop N. Prior, Bishop of Minnesota
- Children's Choir to sing "Three Cups of Tea"
- Movie Night, 6:30pm, St. Mary's Room: Osama
- Sermon, "Madrassas," Adeel Ahmed
- Armchair Theologians, 9am, St. Mary's Room: Adeel Ahmed, a member of the Islamic Center of Minnesota, recent graduate of Carlson College, and a U of M assistant extension professor.
- Informational Night, 6:30pm, Sanctuary: Sadia Ashraf, Outreach Coordinator, Central Asia Institute
- Presentation of Gifts to Central Asia Institute
- Sermon, "The Third Cup: Creating a Culture of Peace," Rev. Rex McKee
- Arm Chair Theologians, 9am, St. Mary's Room: Book Club discussion of "Three Cups of Tea"