A Servants Heart—Mission Opportunities
Alternative Giving The Outreach Committee would like you to prayerfully consider charitable donations in your loved ones name as an alternative to gift giving this holiday season as well as at other times of the year.
Do you have a person who’s difficult to buy for?
Try giving a charitable gift. If we think about giving the world a gift in someone’s name, we can look around and respond to see where God leads you this Christmas or throughout the year. Here are some suggestions: Church World Service, Heifer’s International , Red Bird Mission, ASP (Appalachia Service Project) and Volunteers In Mission.
Visit BUILDAVILLAGE.ORG, an interactive website for the whole family, featuring alternative holiday and year-round gift giving opportunities in support of the life-changing work of Church World Service—as well as stories, games, and other activities for children of all ages. A closer to home MUMMs (Mobile United Methodist Missionaries), bring the gospel to small communities in Iowa.
There are also many local missions such as the Lord's Cupboard and Habitat For Humanity which provide a much needed boost to families in need.
P.S. Need help or have a question? Please contact: Debbie Fleagle
Because of the severely low supply, our Missions committee will be collecting two MEDICINE BOXES this year 2008. The Medicine Box, a joint effort between our congregation and the IMA (Interchurch Medical Assistance).
Each box fully funded is $425.00. UMCOR has not been able to fulfill requests for them this past year, however, Willard Street did fund two in 2007.
We are starting early asking that you donate to this worthy cause. The Medicine Box helps the day-to-day treatment of common ailments that plague babies, their mothers, children, and adults. The box contains 18 essential medicines and medical supplies that are enough to respond to illness and injuries in a population of 1,000 people for a period of three months.
Simply mark an envelope for this cause and help so many in need!
Thank you!
Betsy Jones/Missions Chairman
The Mission Committee
Please remember our six special offerings in 2008:
January 20 - Human Relations Day
March 2 - One Great Hour of Sharing
April 6 - Native American Ministries
May 18 - Peace With Justice Sunday
October 5 - World Communion Sunday
November 30 - UMC Student Day
“BLANKET SUNDAY” Total: $489.00
The
Ecumenical Lord's Cupboard, located at First United Methodist Church, 202 E
Fourth St, Ottumwa, IA is a non-profit, non-tax entity feeding the hungry in
Wapello County. They are a "crisis" enterprise, not a grocery store. They do not
discriminate against anyone because of race, color or creed. They serve as a
channel for funds and food given to them and distribute it without bias. Last
year The Ecumenical Lord's Cupboard provided food to 4,075 individuals in 1, 591
households with each receiving enough food for a week.
This worthy project is ecumenical in that area churches participate by giving financial donations which help the Cupboard with the acquisition of the items they cannot purchase at the Southern Iowa Food Bank. They have to purchase milk, eggs, meats, margarine, bread and a lot of other commodities not distributed by the SIFB. Consequently, monetary donations are always appreciated. Churches also help by contributing food items, cleaning supplies, toiletries and paper products.
The pantry serves as a helping hand to area residents.
Please give with your heart to help those less fortunate among us. The following is a list of current needs:
Pork & Beans
Canned Fruit
Dried Beans
Rice
Cash, for perishable items
Please bring your items to the church to place in the Lord's Cupboard box located at the main entry.
Please stop by the church office for a list of other needed items.
Thank You!
Let’s help them reach their goal!
Habitat for Humanity is a global home-building movement comprising more than 2,300 local affiliates, state support organizations and national organizations in nearly 100 countries. Completing a home somewhere in the world every 24 minutes, Habitat builds nearly 25,000 homes per year.
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian
organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness
worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience
and
action. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child
should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety.
Habitat has an open-door policy: All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. Habitat for Humanity has always had a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion, and we welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.
The work of Habitat for Humanity is driven by the desire to give tangible expression to the love of God through the work of eliminating poverty housing. Habitat's mission and methods are predominantly derived from a few key theological concepts: the necessity of putting faith into action, the "economics of Jesus" and the "theology of the hammer."
Habitat for Humanity welcomes all people to build with us in partnership.
"The Bible teaches that God is the God of the whole crowd," explained Fuller.
"God's love leaves nobody out, and my love should not either. This understanding
drives 'the theology of the hammer' around the world, steadily building more and
more houses in more and more countries."
Ottumwa Habitat For Humanity
202 E. 4th St
Ottumwa, IA 52501
641.680.2010
E-mail: David.L.Frushour@USA.dupont.com
10-Fold is about multiplying ministry and mobilizing passionate people to stand up and be counted for the causes they believe in.
The
event will launch on October 10, 2010 and last for 10 days. Every day
will focus on a different project supported through The Advance, the
designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church. The goal is to gain
the support of 10,000 people for each of the 10 projects.
With
the support of annual conferences and churches, 10-Fold will bring these
global projects to the people through webcasts, streaming video, online
chats and other media. For 10 days, these ministries will be on your
doorstep.
HISPANICS IN THE HEARTLAND
Paul Burrow, Director of Hispanic Ministries for the
South Central District
“She has done what she could . . . Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” (Mark 14:8-9 NRSV)
Her name is Teresa. She is poor and struggles to support her family. She does not consider herself to be anyone of importance. Yet, the influence that she has had is already being felt in Ottumwa.
Click here for more about Teresa and Hispanic Ministries in the Heartland.
2010
In-Gathering Kit
samples will be on display soon for delivery to Mount Pleasant in early November. Consider making the trip to In-Gathering on November 6th. We’d love to take a car full from Willard St. UMC.
Your Missions Committee
Thanks you for your generous giving thus far in 2009. Fall is our busiest time of year, and our success with the various events is all due to the many loving, giving hearts in our church.
Bless you all!!
Debbie Fleagle and Missions
Ingathering Kit Assembly & Shipping Instructions
Note: The Knitters and Crocheters that meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 1:00pm at Willard St UMC have nearly 100 baby sweaters ready for the Ingathering. These will go in the Layette Kits.
UMC Missionaries
Missionaries: Larry and Jane Kies
Guest Speaker/Africa
October 1, 2008
at Willard St UMC
Larry and Jane Kies
are missionaries of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church assigned to Africa University, located just outside Mutare, the fourth-largest city in Zimbabwe in the southern region of the continent. Larry serves as a technical advisor at the university, assisting in the development of the university’s farm and working to train a new generation of agriculturalists from countries across the continent. Jane teaches English to students coming from countries where it is not spoken. “Since Africa University is the United Methodist college on the continent, many students are coming from countries with a large UM presence, especially Portuguese-speaking Angola and Mozambique,” she notes. “As a Christian and teacher, I believe I can play a significant role in the spiritual and educational development of the students I teach,” Jane says, reflecting on her ministry. “However, it’s not my training and experience that give me that confidence, but the conviction that Jesus can work in and through me to show God’s love for all people.”
Prior to his current assignment, Larry served as the manager of Nyadire Mission Farm at Nyadire Mission Station in Zimbabwe. His duties involved developing the farm to make the mission more self-sufficient in regards to food production, thus freeing resources for other aspects of Christian mission. He also taught agriculture at Nyadire Secondary School and worked with the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Initiative.
“I am in mission with the African people as we search for and introduce methods of improving food security. To paraphrase a Chinese proverb, we hope to not just give a man a fish, nor even to teach him to fish, but to work with him in finding new ways to fish–and then help him obtain a fishing pole. By so doing, I hope to obey Jesus’ command, implicit in Matthew 25, to feed the hungry.”
This is a very vital ministry in Africa that is reaching out to many people in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
For those who were not in attendance at this special program/dinner we have photos available for viewing at this link.
We
will again be sponsoring the Heifer Project Gift Sales starting Nov. 21
through Dec. 19, 2010. There will be gift certificates available for
heifers, rabbits, tree seedlings, hogs, lambs and much more! Make your
holiday gift giving even more meaningful with a gift from Heifer
International!
The mitten, scarf and hat tree will also be set up Nov. 21 through Dec. 19, so lets fill it till the boughs bend to the floor! Your gifts will be deeply appreciated by the children of Wapello County!
Debbie and the Mission Committee
"Thanks for your support for the Heifer International Project and the very full Mitten Tree"! -- The Mission Committee 12/25/2009
MUMMS
Mobile United Methodist Missionaries
MUMMS NEWS June/July 2010
VBS Schedule:
June 14 -17 Ottumwa Trailer Park
June 28 – July 1 Kellerton UMC
July 5 – 9 Kirkville UMC
July 12 – 16 Promise City Community Building
July 19 – 23 Cantril UMC
July 25 – 30 JOY Camp
Work project opportunity:
Be a missionary in your own backyard! Come join us at Kirkville to paint the sanctuary June 10
th, 11tn and 12th. If you have questions call Peg at 641-919-1533.
April 2010--
Hello Friends,
Are you one of the churches longing for more children? Have you heard someone say "there just aren't any out there"? Has it been "ages" since your church held a Vacation Bible School? If you answered yes to any of the above....then you might want to call MUMMS! You see....the children are there...unfortunately, to many churches they have become "invisible"!!!
Did you know there are MORE children living in poverty in RURAL IOWA than in urban Iowa? They are all around us....and GOD has given us the choice to love them and teach them about JESUS or continue to say "I wish we had more children"!!!
Summer is coming and MUMMS is looking for churches who are willing to reach out, risk, love as JESUS loves each of us...unconditionally! I welcome the opportunity to come visit with you. After all, children ARE the future of our churches!!
Following is a story about a church which "yearned" for children!!!
Four years ago MUMMS traveled to Troy UMC and held a week of VBS. I must add that the congregation was doubtful...but also willing to risk.
That summer we had 10 children. The next 18...and the next over 25. Need I say more? Last summer the Troy UMC held their own VBS...they no longer needed MUMMS!!!! This is just ONE of the many ways this congregation has "come alive".
Why don't you give it a try.....call me and remember...We don't have to serve GOD...we GET TO SERVE GOD....it is a privilege!!!!
The children are out there...just waiting to learn about JESUS!!! YOUR CHURCH COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES!!!!
WORK PROJECT DATE:
Come to Iconium UMC. April 12-16. MUMMS volunteers will be siding the church! There is something for everyone to do. For details call Ken Wells @319-288-1919
MUMMS will also be painting the sanctuary at Kirkville
this summer...watch for date!!!
Have a blessed spring!!!!
Peg Egbert, director, Mobile UM Missionaries
PS: Remember, I welcome the opportunity to visit your churches and share all God is doing through this vital ministry called MUMMS!
Blessings to you all,
Peg Egbert, Director of Mobile UM Missionaries
pjemumm@iowatelecom.net
319-456-6661
June 2010
Follow Bishop Trimble and Team in Nigeria.
Linda Rowe reports from Nigeria, and shares a few photos of the Bishop's trip to Nigeria.
Journal Reports from Nigeria.
I/Eye Care
April, 2010
Each year
I go to see the eye doctor to check the only pair of eyes I have! Has my vision
changed in a year? Do I need new glasses? Do I have cataracts or glaucoma? I
care about my eyes!
In
Dr. Gideon
Avar, eye surgeon at the UMC Eye Centre in Zing, has for the past two years,
held an eye camp in one of the church areas. With the help of
I care
about eye care! Money may be sent through your local church to the conference
treasurer designated: INP, #230, Eye Camp.
The
How many Bibles are in your home? Are these read on a daily basis? For Nigerians who have completed the Lit-Lit Program sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Nigeria in their church or community, Bibles in Hausa are a prized commodity. The majority of students in the Lit-Lit classes are mainly village women whose parents didn’t feel it was worth paying the tuition fees for them to attend school. Through the program they learn to do simple arithmetic, read and write and for some, come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is never too late for education and when you educate a woman you are educating the family and village. At graduation they must pay to receive the Hausa Bible which some can’t afford. The ability to read the Bible and the lack of funds to provide one for them is agonizing. How can we help remedy that situation? For $7 a Hausa Bible can be purchased. For $25 a student can attend Lit-Lit classes.
Your contribution may be made through your local church and sent to the Conference Treasurer designated INP #230, Hausa Bible or Lit Lit.
The next time you pick up your Bible to read or to study, count yourself blessed.
What your money can do in
$1.50 will allow a child to have basic school supplies
$7 will purchase a Bible in Hausa
$15 will provide a one month stipend for a UMC
teacher
$20 will help an illiterate Nigerian learn to
read and write
$35 will provide one- term tuition for a high
school student
$50 will purchase vaccines for the poultry
program
$62 will allow a woman to attend the Women’s
$75 will buy a goat for the Agricultural
Program
$100 will stock the medicine cabinet at the
church run clinics
$120 will purchase a treadle sewing machine
$130 will purchase a bicycle for a local pastor
$550 will purchase a motorcycle for the
Lit-Lit, Evangelism or youth director
$1,500 will purchase a solar refrigerator for
the district medical clinics
$2,000 will built a round hut home for an
evangelist to minister to unsaved people
$6,500 will sink a deep water borehole/well providing clear, pure water
Money may be given through your church and sent to the Conference Treasurer designated INP, #230 and choice of project.
Beverly Nolte
INP Chairperson
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but
in truth and action.
- 1 John 3:18
Volunteers in Mission groups are active all throughout the year. But maybe this summer would be a good time to invite others to try out a mission trip who have never gone before. A list of trip dates can be found at the Iowa Conference website Volunteers In Mission or to connect with a team from the North Central Jurisdictional Conference, including Iowa check out the list of teams on the UMVIM-NCJ website and click on TEAMS. Or simply contact one of our VIM Coordinators in Iowa:
Don and Velma Frank
407 N. 4th Avenue
Winterset, IA 50273-1660
515-462-3290
vfddfrank@aol.com
Youth groups can also get involved!
Catch the mission spirit!
Thank you for being God's hands and feet as we reach out to our community.
Willard
Street United Methodist Church 2007-2010
