Malden, MA – Malden Reads announces a presentation about the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and its people to take place Saturday, March 23 2:00-4:00pm at the Malden Public Library, 36 Salem Street, Malden MA. Though geared for adults, the presentation is appropriate for all ages.

This presentation will be delivered by volunteers who visited Pine Ridge for one week in August 2012. These adult and teen volunteers from the Congregational Church of West Medford built a straw bale house for a family on the reservation. They also gleaned insights about history and current circumstances for people living on this reservation. The photos that capture their experience will be shared along with historical and cultural tidbits that give context and great significance to the story.

The Congregational Church of West Medford joined with the Maple Street Congregational Church of Danvers as sponsors of this outreach trip. Forty volunteers participated through the organization Re-member.org, a trusted nonprofit organization located on Pine Ridge. Re-member (re-member.org) has been focused on serving its residents in a variety of ways with a number of different programs emphasizing relationship, shared resources, and volunteer services since 1997.

Another week’s visit to Pine Ridge is planned for August 2013. For this effort, a fundraising auction to be held April 6 at the Congregational Church of West Medford will offer individuals a way to support the outreach to Pine Ridge Reservation.

The Congregational Church of West Medford began in the mid-1860s and is an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. They believe God's love and grace are offered to all and should be shared and celebrated by all. Therefore, everyone is welcome and honored as a vital and integral member of God's family. Sunday Morning Worship and Sunday school are held at 10am.

For more information about the church:

Contact Amanda Coughlin

Congregational Church of West Medford
http://www.medfordchurch.org/

400 High Street  02155
Phone : 781–395–3360

Email: office@medfordchurch.org.

For information about the August 2012 mission trip:

Visit http://churchmissiontrip.wordpress.com

For information about the April 6, 2013 6-10pm silent auction and concert:

Visit http://churchmissiontrip.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/benefit-concert-and-silent-auction2.jpg

For information about Malden Reads

Visit http://maldenreads.org or email maldenreads@gmail.com