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.
News
School Supply Collection
January 14, 2015 By
Now through February 1, we are collecting school supplies for Central Academy. Mid-way through the year many of the supplies needed are running out. Many teachers use their own money to purchase the necessary supplies. Let’s help them out. Bring in any of the items below and we will deliver to Central Academy.
Items Needed: Tissue boxes, Inexpensive ear buds from the Dollar Store, Gallon plastic baggies, Quart plastic baggies, Boxes of Markers/crayons, Pencils Yellow No. 2, D batteries for science, Spiral notebooks, Hand wipes and/or disinfecting wipes
Lenten Bible Study
January 14, 2015 By
Join us for a Lenten Bible Study on Wednesday mornings 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon beginning February 18. Pastor Roe will guide us through the Gospel John. Only book you need is your Bible. If you would like to participate in an evening session, please contact Pastor Roe.
Week of Compassion
January 14, 2015 By
Week of Compassion
February 15 and 22 we will be collecting offerings for the Disciples strongest mission arm – Week of Compassion. For 70 years, Week of Compassion has made a difference in the lives of people and communities around the world by pooling resources, leveraging funds and serving through partnerships. Gifts given through this special offering empower people in poverty to learn a trade, raise their own food, and grow in faith. United in Christ, we help to provide access to healthy food, good education, excellent health care, and shelter after devastating storms. Each time a gift is given a connection is made that builds a bridge or tears down walls. Each resource shared answers God’s call to love our neighbor, because in Christ Jesus, we are one family. Please give generously. Want to know more go to www.weekofcompassion.org
December Outreach
December 10, 2014 By
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!!!
GivingTuesday
November 26, 2014 By
Help Our Neighbors
November 24, 2014 By
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.
Outreach Opportunities
November 24, 2014 By
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.
Poinsettias
November 24, 2014 By
We will once again decorate our sanctuary with poinsettias for Advent and Christmas. If you would like to purchase one in memory or in honor of a loved one, all orders must be received by Sunday, November 30. All poinsettias will be red with the following sizes:
5-7 blooms: $10.00
12-15 blooms: $20.00
15-20 blooms: $30.00
Order forms are linked below.
A Note from the Property Folks
November 24, 2014 By
In 1996, our congregation dedicated the property at 4520 Rosedale Road, Middletown, Ohio to God. To that end, we are to care for it as sacred and holy. Just as we care for one another in times of great need, we are to look at the physical needs of the property.
Currently, our parking lot is in dire need of repair, and our insurance company has asked for an estimated date of repair. The parking lot needs repairs, paving with 2” of compacted asphalt, and new curbing. The Property Commission has obtained a bid for this repair. The first bid we received is $52,500. The repairs are needed relatively soon as our parking lot may begin to crumble during another harsh winter. Crumbling would increase the costs dramatically. Money to cover this cost is not in our current budget.
Property will be discussing parking lot repairs along with other major property expenses (i.e. furnaces/AC units replacement) on the horizon with the General Board. It is likely that we will need to have a capital campaign in order to finance these major needs. Assuming the General Board votes to move forward with a capital campaign, we are going to be asking for you – our members – to commit money over and above your current pledge.
Please begin to pray as we discern how to move forward faithfully. Pray for the leaders of our church, pray for guidance in increasing your giving so we can cover these costs, and pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell among us during these challenging days.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Tim Powers or Larry Steele.
