Outreach

On behalf of Outreach, I would like to thank everyone who has made this Christmas season a very joyful time for many within our community. After giving out boxes of food prior to Christmas, we were able to deliver bags and bags of toys to the Center of Hope for Women and Children (Hope House). Toys not distributed during the holidays will be used for several months as new children enter the homeless shelter. Hats and mittens were donated to elementary school children. Additionally, I would like to thank the Outreach volunteers, Linda Poynter, Judy Andrews, and Lois Hafer. Paulette McCandless and Mary Bob Powers also stepped up to help when needed. Thank you to all!
Next up: February is a great month to hold our annual Undie Sunday Drive. Our tradition is to collect new underwear and socks for the children attending Rosa Parks Elementary School as well as the youth who reside at the Center of Hope for Women and Children (Hope House). Needs continue for many children within our community and we would appreciate your help in overflowing our blue giving tub in the narthex.

For our upcoming collection, we would like to suggest paper products such as facial tissue, (Kleenex or any brand), toilet tissue, paper towels and liquid hand soap. As always, all nonperishable items are welcome and can be placed in the wooden box left of the narthex. Your Outreach Team appreciates your continued support which is making a difference in our community!

Sunday, February 15 is our annual Undie Sunday Drive.
We will be collecting new underwear and socks for children attending Rosa Parks Elementary School as well as the youth who reside at the Center of Hope for Women and Children (Hope House). The needs of many children in our community are continual and we look forward to helping by providing new clothing items. Donations may be placed in our blue giving tub in the narthex. A majority of children within our community have many ongoing needs and we look forward to taking this opportunity to help. Our goal is to overflow our blue giving tub in the narthex.

Outreach giving was extremely successful during the holiday season and we are fortunate to have a congregation who believes in sharing.  Thank you!  We are looking forward to February 15 when we will have our annual Undie Sunday drive.  February is the month when we will be collecting new underwear and socks for the children attending Rosa Parks Elementary School as well as the youth who reside at the Center of Hope for Women and Children (Hope House).   A majority of children within our community have many ongoing needs and we look forward to taking this opportunity to help.  Our goal is to overflow our blue giving tub in the narthex.

We have so much to be thankful for and the giving within our congregation is a way of expressing our gratitude to God.  With your help, we filled and distributed boxes of food at Thanksgiving.  We began decorating our Hat and Mitten Tree and are in the mist of collecting food for families who are in need of a helping hand at Christmas.  We are sharing our blessings by collecting gifts for children who reside at the Center of Hope for Women and Children (Hope House).  As we become more aware of the challenges in the lives of these children, we want to take every opportunity to give them something they can call their own.  Your continued generosity is making all of this possible.  Thank You!!!

Middletown schools have so many children that qualify for food assistance that all students receive free breakfast and lunch on school days.  The children in our city need their neighbors to reach out.  Central Academy is our church yard neighbor and they need our help.  Did you know that Central Academy serves children from all over the Middletown area?  They have students from more affluent neighborhoods and students from poverty stricken areas.

Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as we would love ourselves.  Jesus calls us to reach out and care for the Central Academy children we have as neighbors.  There are many ways you can reach out and help our neighbor – Central Academy.  Volunteers are in high demand.  Below is a list of ways you can plug in and help the students of Central Academy:

Reading to and with students

Practicing sight words through games

Practicing math facts

Helping students write

Making copies in the school office

Cutting and assembling kits for student use  can be done at home and returned to school

Helping with Day of Giving at FCC during Dec. 15-19

Beautifying front entrance of Central Academy

If you would like to know more about being a Christ-like neighbor to Central Academy, please contact Pastor Roe.  She will get you connected to the school.  Pastor Roe, our Elders and Outreach Ministry Team are planning to help with a couple special events.  We’ll have more information on these as it becomes available.

Thanksgiving

This is a very busy time for Outreach as we prepare to provide for families at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  With your help, we will be providing turkey and trimmings for ten families in November.  Thank you to all who have committed to help this month and please watch for more information on what will be happening in December.

Hat and Mitten Tree

Plans are to use the Hat and Mitten Tree again this year and provide much needed items to the children attending Rosa Parks Elementary School and the children at Hope House.  Please help us start decorating the tree in the narthex on November 30.

SHALOM

SHALOM is very worthwhile program to house and feed the homeless in our community.  We will again be partnering with Christ United Methodist Church for two weeks this winter.  Mark your calendars for December 28 through January 3 and February 15 through February 21 and plan on sharing a blessing with someone by giving of your time or helping prepare a meal.  Jerry Hall has again graciously volunteered to be our contact person and will be providing additional information.

As we approach the holiday season, our Outreach Ministry Team is inviting you to share with others within our community.  We will continue our tradition of working with Family Services to provide food for Thanksgiving meals for several area families.  As we give thanks for our blessings, we are thankful for the opportunity to help others.  We will have an Outreach table in the narthex/lobby beginning November 2 to distribute food requests for Thanksgiving.  Please stop by for more information.  We appreciate all that you do to help Outreach continue this giving tradition!

–  Sharon Amburgey and Judy Andrews, Outreach Co-Chairs

Outreach continues to focus on providing school supplies to children attending Rosa Parks Elementary School as school doors will again be opening in just a few weeks.  Please make donations of school supplies: pencils, rulers, paper, crayons, glue, etc., we have found there is always a need for tissues and hand sanitizers.    For many children at Rosa Parks Elementary this is the only way they have the supplies they need.  So, please give generously.  Thank you!