My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We continue to keep our families who are in the line of Hurricane Laura in our prayers. So many of our brothers and sisters are in the Lake Charles and southern Louisiana areas. And earlier this summer, southern Texas, Mexico and Connecticut dealt with hurricanes and tropical storms where more of our ACTS family live. Our entire community is in our daily morning staff prayers!
It’s hard to believe we’re almost to the end of summer. The pandemic continues to affect every aspect of our lives and has greatly influenced our mission this year. As you know, practically every retreat has been cancelled through the end of the year. Your ACTS Missions staff have been working from home since 23 March and our ACTS Store has been closed to in-person business with online and phone orders only. Our second largest fundraiser, Agapefest, was cancelled in May. Needless to say, we have lost a great deal of income since March. So, what have we been doing to ensure we continue to be good stewards of your financial gifts?
We applied and received the Paycheck Protection Program Loan on 1 May. That helped us maintain staffing, rent and utilities from May through July. We also applied for two other grants that we hope to hear from this month and in November. By working from home, we have reduced expenses such as office supplies and travel. This month, we had to take additional measures with staffing and move to flexible work schedules.
Our focus continues on supporting our 21 Chapters around the US and Mexico. We meet monthly with our Chapter Directors and will soon be offering Spiritual Connections faith-sharing sessions with all Chapter Members and then our broader community. We will publish the 2020 Teen ACTS Retreat Manual in the coming months and continue to offer workshops via Remote (Zoom) and online. And we published our 2019 ACTS Retreat Manual (English & Spanish) as an eBook!
We are also asking for your help.
- First and foremost, please continue to keep ACTS Missions in your prayers.
- Become a monthly donor! Historically, we have relied on major in-person fundraisers in San Antonio. The pandemic has certainly taught us important lessons about that!! We are encouraging all of you to join the mission by giving monthly and thereby offering a steadier mode of financial support. For as little as $5 a month (less than my Venti Skinny Cinnamon Dolce 😊), your gift fuels the mission every day of the year. Give NOW.
- Join our Ninth Annual ACTS Missions Gala. For the first time ever, we’ll be offering it virtually which means YOU can participate from the comfort of your own home anywhere around the world! Help us Be Christ’s Light in the World.
Know that you can count on all staff members to be available with remote phone numbers and working flexible hours to serve you. Check our Staff Directory for updated contact information.
We continue to rely on our Master Physician, Jesus Christ and ask Mama Mary to wrap her mantle around us for peace and comfort.
Your sister,
