Mission Groups

ABC (American Baptist Churches)

The ABC Mission Group facilitates our American Baptist connection. This ranges from encouraging links across racial lines with local ABC churches to focused support of a medical mission in Nicaragua. By offering educational programs and shepherding our annual Lenten offering for ABC missions, this mission group lifts up the many common values Pullen shares with ABC-USA.

Meeting Time: Second Sundays at 12:15 p.m.
Contact: Carl Almblad (460-5964)

AB

Alliance of Baptists

This group supports Pullen’s partnership with the Alliance of Baptists, a national association of progressive Baptist churches founded in 1986. Pullen members attend the annual Alliance convocation, serve on its board of directors, and support its mission offering each year. As Pullen’s newest mission group, we are eager to share the story of the Alliance, a critical voice in Baptist life today.

Meeting Time: On a called basis
Contact: Brooks Wicker (362-7666)

Care of Creation

The Care of Creation Mission Group seeks to explore, understand, and honor the interconnectedness of God's vast and varied creation. It serves as a place of support and inspiration for those who feel called to integrate their spiritual life with a lifestyle that is less consumptive, more ecologically sustainable and more in harmony with all of life on earth. The group meets monthly for discussion and planning in order to encourage educational and worship leadership at Pullen that fosters human-earth relationships.

Meeting Time: Third Sundays at 12:15 p.m
Contact: Dan Figgins (851-9975)

Cuba

The Cuba Mission Group maintains and nurtures the sixteen-year partnership between Pullen and the First Baptist Church in Matanzas. First Baptist is a member of the Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba, which is a partner of the Alliance of Baptists in the U.S. In addition to maintaining personal relationships with our Cuban friends through trips to their country and hosting visits from them, Pullen members participate in worship, Bible study, prayer services and missions projects with the congregation of First Baptist.

Meeting Time: On a called basis
Contact: Steve Smith (821-4935)

Health Care Working Group

This group is a collection of individuals from varied backgrounds, some health related and some not, who are all passionate about the need for our state to provide “health care for all.” Meeting about once a month, they are developing a network of contacts in congregations around the state who will solicit support from representatives in the General Assembly for bills that move the state toward the provision of health care for all of our citizens.

Meeting Time: On a called basis
Contact: Bill Brooks (469-1197)

Nicaragua Connection

This mission group was created in 2007 to support Pullen’s partnership with Laura and David Parajon, American Baptist medical missionaries in Nicaragua. The Parajon’s new public health ministry, A Ministry of Sharing (AMOS) Health and Hope, trains health promoters in rural Nicaragua villages to improve the health of poor communities. Pullen has been supporting the Parajons’ ministry for several years and we expect to send a team of Pullenites to Nicaragua in the spring of 2008 to build a health clinic there.

Meeting Time: On a called basis
Contact: Deb Norton and Jonathan Sledge (828-0721)

Peace and Justice/CCN

The Peace and Justice Mission/Community of the Cross of Nails (CCN) group addresses the peace and justice issues of the day. CCN is Pullen’s connection to a worldwide ministry of reconciliation centered in Coventry, England, where a medieval cathedral was bombed during World War II. Pullen was named a Cross of Nails Centre in 1980 and this mission group is an active chapter of CCN, focusing on local, national, and international reconciliation efforts. The mission group acts on some issues, encourages the involvement of the congregation for others, and with small grants supports organizations that follow God's call for peace and justice. Projects include the Heifer Project each Advent, the Offering of Letters for Bread for the World, and Peace Sunday in August.

Meeting time: First Sundays at 12:15 p.m.
Conveners: Linda & Bob Rodriguez (870-6235)

Prison Ministry

Our Prison Ministry group has historically ministered to men on death row at Central Prison and to the families of their victims. It also provides support for members of Pullen who write and visit death row inmates. In addition, persons who feel called to offer themselves and their gifts in a wide variety of ministries with prisoners and ex-offenders participate in this group. This ministry is a member of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, a state-wide coalition of religious organizations and individuals who work for the abolition of the death penalty and prison reform.

Meeting Time: On a called basis
Contact: Beth McAllister (829-1641)

Pullen Mission Women

Reaching out to each other and the world is the focus of Pullen Mission Women. In three monthly circles they meet for fellowship, mutual support, devotions, and informative, inspirational programs. Beginning a new circle at a convenient time for participants is a goal for 2006-07. The Circles respond to local and international needs through financial assistance, in-kind gifts, and direct assistance. PMW also joins with other women through Church Women United programs.

Meeting times: Varies by Circle
(Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings)
Contact: Phyllis Johnson (787-7821)

Vegetarian Encouragement Group

What we eat has specific effects on the pressing issues we care most about—hunger, environmental destruction, human health, cruelty and compassion, doing justice, loving mercy, walking humbly with our God. So it is vital that we give prayerful consideration to what we eat. We try to do that in the VEG, try to do it seriously, joyfully, in the company of good people, and with gusto, as we grow “before, with, and toward the Divine.”

Meeting Time: Fourth Sundays at 12:15 p.m.
Contact: Betty Gunz (782-9737)

Back Door Ministry

For an hour on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Pullenites distribute snack lunches and local bus tickets to about 40 homeless or low income residents of Raleigh. Donations of lunch items and funds for bus tickets are always needed. New volunteers and lunch-packers are needed as well.

Contact: Cathy Tamsberg (828-0897, x-214)

Wiley-Pullen Partnership

On Wednesday afternoons during the school year, Pullen members tutor students from Wiley International Magnet Elementary School. Afterward the Wiley children and some parents join the Pullen community for our weekly dinner in Finlator Hall. Both regular and substitute tutors are needed.

Contact: Judy Goyer (783-6586)

Refugee Resettlement

Following a busy year of resettling Hurricane Katrina evacuees and refugees from Cuba, Iraq, and Vietnam, Pullen volunteers continue to support these families with transportation, tutoring, and other forms of assistance. New volunteers are always welcome.

Contact: Cathy Tamsberg (828-0897, x-214)

Micah Projects

Micah Projects are short-term, hands-on mission opportunities typically scheduled on Saturdays and open to all ages. They provide hands-on opportunities for people to pursue justice and love kindness, connecting this work to our walk with God. Dates, times, and locations for Micah Projects are publicized in the PullenNews and Sunday Update.

Contact: Cathy Tamsberg (828-0897, x-214)

All Pullen missions and outreach groups and activities are open to newcomers. Information about other outreach opportunities may be found in the Sunday Update and PullenNews or by contacting Cathy Tamsberg at ctamsberg@pullen.org , 828-0897, x-214.