John Walter  ~  Mission Chair
Representing this ministry of the church, 2003- 2005

     Ashland Presbyterian Church is richly blessed with generous people who see need and respond, whether locally or globally.  Through the years, we have extended our hands to thousands of people less fortunate than ourselves and will continue to make
this the focus of our community's life.

     Given the  constraints of time and energy, comprehensive reports such as this are scarcer than may be desired;  yet I felt  called to make this attempt, mostly due to the fact that this will be my last year on Session representing you as Mission
chairperson. It has been a great privilege to serve Ashland in this capacity.
Before getting into the report, I would like to share the fact that Ashland's Mission budget has grown 1500% within ten years due completely to your generosity and to the wonderful anonymous gifts Ashland has received for the last four consecutive years.  Our unknown donor has more than doubled Ashland's capacity to extend its ministries. To that individual I say, God bless you.

      Some of the following ministries will have a human face, like our visitors from Guatemala and Cuba, Fletcher Padoko, and the workers in Habitat for Humanity projects.  You have come to know them through our programs or those of Baltimore Presbytery.  Others, like the Maņacap family, are equally ongoing and familiar to us. Still others, like House of Ruth and The Linus Project, while familiar names, have less presence due mostly to the fact that we do not come to know the recipients
personally. For that reason, I have requested that all of the people who represent Ashland's mission ministries, no matter the size, write a paragraph or two, adding their unique voices to this report.

     There are numerous ministries undertaken by individuals and groups that are not funded by our Mission budget but achieve untold results in the local and global communities. Some of these that come to mind are:  The Bea Gaddy ministry; the Red Cross Blood Drives, Alice and Mike Reid, who raise puppies for the blind, and our Youth Group which responds to any number of local issues such as Sarah's Hope and the Bea Gaddy ministry in Baltimore through the "Trick or Treat so others can eat"
program. Perhaps I have missed a ministry you are involved in? Please don't take offense, rather let me know so I'll know to include you in the future.

     Finally, My hope is that after having read this report, you will answer God when He asks, "Who will go?"   And while you wait for that epiphany - if you are waiting - get some practice in as a volunteer somewhere, the choices are limitless.

Ashland Presbyterian Church    Designated Missions for 2005

Presbytery Missions

• New Churches for a New Day
• South Baltimore Shelter
• McKim Center
• Patrick Allison House
• Guatemala Partnership
• Western Maryland Food Bank
• Allegany Law
• Allegany Health Right

Domestic Missions

• Habitat for Humanity
• Crisis Pregnancy Center
• Princeton Theological Seminary
• Austin Theological Seminary
• Pastor's Discretionary Fund

Local Missions

• House of Ruth
• UCAN
• APC Preschool Scholarships
• Sommer Food Delivery
• Linus Project
• Presbyterian Home
• Sarah's Hope & Community Assistance Network

International

• Cuba Partnership
• African Bible College
• Fletcher Padoko KOCG
• Medical Benevolence Fund
• Presbyterian Disaster Aid
• Operation Mobilization
• Moviemiento Comunal Nicaraguense
• W.S. Johnston Scholarship Fund