March 2009
The Savings and Credit Ministry of the Emmanuel Methodist Church began its 16th cycle in January of this year. Currently there are 41 members, all women. There are three category of members – borrowers who take out “normal” loans each cycle (amounts vary from $150 to $1000); “anticrético” borrowers who receive a loan for $1000 that is paid back over two years; and savers who do not receive any loans during the cycle (first-time members start out in this group). In addition to the loans that are given out each cycle, each woman also receives an allotment of non-perishable food (pasta, rice, sugar, oil, flour) that the ministry purchases at wholesale rates (see photos). The savings in cost are passed onto the women, who in turn have 6 months (the length of the cycle) to pay for the non-perishable food.
The ministry continues to meet every other Saturday from 5 pm to 8 pm at the church. Each meeting begins with a devotion led by our local pastor, Sara Cesar – Covarrubias. One meeting a month is dedicated to making a payment on the normal loan, while the other meeting is dedicated to making a payment on the non-perishable food “loan”. This second meeting is also used to provide trainings and workshops to the participants. This cycle the ministry is using these meetings to revise their bylaws and prepare for the division of the ministry into two smaller groups of women to better manage the activities of the ministry.
In addition to the regular meetings, the ministry also participates in other activities. Last cycle, the ministry planned a special half-day spiritual retreat and had a special Christmas dinner where each woman also received a Christmas basket for the holidays (see Photos). This cycle the ministry led a Sunday worship service in March and will also prepare and sell lunch after one of the church services to raise funds for the Special Emergency Fund the church has established.
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