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Missions We support many local and international missions. For the local missions we give to local Food Pantry and deliver Meals on Wheels.
Wherever the need arises, be it a tsunami overseas, people displaced by wars, or natural disasters here and world-wide, you are part of our church's outreach when you participate in the mission offerings. You may use these quick links to jump down to required section:
Prayer Shawl Ministry • Thanksgiving Ingathering • Skow Cottage
FOOD PANTRY |
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRYThe ministry of prayer shawls began as a conference UMW project in 2005. Individuals weave prayers into the shawl as they are knit or crocheted of soft, fluffy yarn. As they make the shawl, they pray for the person who will receive it (whether they know who it will be or not.) The shawls are then blessed during services at the church and given to those in need of love and prayers. The prayer shawls are a tangible reminder that the recipient is being prayed for by the congregation. They are literally being “wrapped in God’s love.”If you are interested in making the shawls, patterns are available at the church office. If there are those who don’t care to knit or crochet, but would like to donate money or yarn toward the project, you may leave your donations at the church office or place them in the offering plate marked “Prayer Shawls.” Our special thanks to all who have participated in this wonderful project. A list is being compiled of those who have received a prayer shawl. Please sign below if you or someone you know has received one throughout the years. Place it in the offering plate or give to Jodi Schmidt. If you know of someone who is in need of our love and prayers please contact Pastor DeeAnn, Jodi Schmidt, or Ann Trimble-Ray.
THANKSGIVING INGATHERING
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HEIFER
INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION Donations for the Heifer International Project are being accepted throughout the year. Please keep your “Heifer” money boxes in a prominent place for your loose change gifts. If you have filled your box and need another, there are more available in the narthex of the church. Celebration of the Heifer Project will be on November 22, when gifts will be received. . Please make any checks to the Early UMC and mark “Heifer Project” in the memo column. Thank you for your faithfulness in supporting this very important mission project. |
Donations for the Heifer Project are being accepted throughout the year. Please make your checks to the Early UMC and mark “Heifer Project” in the memo column. Please keep your “Heifer” money boxes in a prominent place for your loose change gifts. If you have filled your box and need another, there are more available in the narthex of the church. Celebration of the Heifer Project will be on November 16 when gifts will be received. Thank you for your faithfulness in supporting this mission project!
The mission of Heifer International is to
alleviate world hunger and save the earth. Begun more than 60 years ago, Heifer
has enabled more than seven million impoverished families to lift themselves out
of poverty and achieve self-reliance in more than 128 countries by providing a
“living loan” of an animal. The family’s health and standard of living is much
improved by what that animal can provide such as milk from a cow or goat, eggs
from poultry, neat from rabbits, wool from llamas, or the draft power from water
buffalo. Key to success of the program is that Heifer provides extensive
training in animal care, ecologically sound agriculture practices and community
development. “Passing on the gift” is another key to Heifer’s success.
Families who receive an animal repay the loan by passing on one or more of the
animals’ offspring to another family and so on. One gift multiplies through the
community. Presently, Heifer International provides more than 27 types of
animals that provide food and/or income to struggling families in 48 countries
including the U.S.
The congregation helps to brighten the lives of these young ladies, ages 13 to 17, by providing some of the items of their Wish List
(posted on the church bulletin board).
You
may bring your gifts any time during the month and place them in the box in
the narthex. Your gifts are deeply appreciated and well used.
Layettes to Nigeria in 2008….
Would you believe
that the Iowa mission team, headed by Linda Rowe of Bloomfield, unpacked and
counted 3,400 individual layettes sent by Iowans to Nigeria. That means that
3,400 precious little Nigerian babies will be swaddled in soft, clean clothes
and blankets lovingly prepared by Iowans and taken to the Thanksgiving
Ingathering. “Na gode” to those individuals and churches who have contributed
these “gifts of love”, as they are called by the Nigerians.
In Nigeria the infant mortality is extremely high due to poor living
conditions, unclean water and lack of medical care. Thus many babies die before
their first birthday. If they live to age five, they stand a good chance of
growing up and living a full life.
Items in the Iowa-Nigeria Layette Kit: 1 receiving blanket, 2 diapers and 2
diaper pins, 1 lightweight gown or sleeper (small size), 1 undershirt or onesie
(small size), 1 baby wash cloth. Wrap all items in blanket and pin. Place in
appropriate size zip lock bag.
“Nothing
But Nets” Campaign
At the Annual Church Conference on December 3, 2007, Rev. Colorado presented
a T-shirt to our church promoting the “Nothing But Nets” campaign.
This is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading
killer of children in Africa. Each net costs $10. The conference is
aiming to purchase 10,000 nets. With your gifts, millions of children
in
Africa won’t die unnecessarily each year of malaria. Please mark your
check, “Nothing But Nets”, and place it in the offering plate.
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ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2009
UMCOR brings relief
when a catastrophe strikes. We rush to disaster areas all over the world with
aid. But, along with food, clothing, shelter and medical help, we stay to
assist survivors rebuild lives. That’s what United Methodists do in response to
God’s love. From re-educating soldiers to feeding school children to
establishing medical clinics in remote villages, we are hope for millions in
nearly 100 of the poorest countries in the world. Once a year, during One Great
Hour of Sharing, you can join United Methodists worldwide by making a special
offering to support this humanitarian aid. Please do your part by giving
generously. Now, more than ever, the world needs you!
Visit their website for more information: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/
United Methodists are called to step out of our corner of the world to spread the good news, transform hopelessness into hope and help God's children wherever they may be.
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I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.
Matthew 25:35-36, NRSV |
While it would be wonderful if we could reach out personally to everyone who needs our help, we know that is impossible. So we gather regularly with our congregation and put money into the offering plate, and through a carefully crafted system of United Methodist mission and ministry our gifts stretch around the world.
Finally, a portion of your giving goes to the general church to support programs on a national and international level, which have been agreed upon by lay and clergy delegates of General Conference. We share the cost of these ministries, with each local church being responsible for contributing a fair portion or "apportionment."
We can go beyond these primary gifts to the church and contribute to additional ministries through the Advance and churchwide Special Sundays with offerings. The Advance for Christ and His Church offers individuals and groups an opportunity to contribute to specific programs, missionaries and ministries of their choice. Six times a year, Special Sundays focus churchwide attention on specific ministries of the church such as promoting peace and justice and providing scholarships and student loans.
* Apportioned funds: A portion of each local church budget
* Special Sundays with offerings
* Designated giving
What
is the Thanksgiving Ingathering?
Heifer International