Central United Methodist Church
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A Place to Begin...Belong...Become

Giving Opportunities

 
Food Pantry                                                                                    Get Adobe Reader
 
Health Kits for UMCOR -- Value, $12.00 per kit
 
Note: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent. Please include $1.00 for each kit you send toward the purchase of toothpaste.
 
Important Kit Assembly Information
  • All Items included in the kits must be NEW items.
  • All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items -- nothing more.
  • Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.
     When disaster strikes anywhere in the world, UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) is there. One of the ways they help victims is by handing out ”Health Kits,” Ziploc bags containing basic hygiene supplies. On Missions Celebration Sunday in February we will welcome Rev. Brian Diggs, Director of the UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City. Brian will preach at both services and also teach about the work of UMCOR during Sunday School.
     Our Missions Outreach Team hopes that we can have a basket filled with health kits to present to Rev. Diggs. Each “kit” is a one gallon plastic bag containing: 1 hand towel, 1 washcloth, 1 comb, 1 nail file or fingernail clippers, a bath-size bar of soap, 1 toothbrush, 6 adhesive strip bandages.  See page 7 for detailed instructions. You may bring kits (or any of the items listed) to the basket in Fellowship Hall any day during January.
If you prefer, you may donate money to the UMCOR West Depot. Please make checks payable to Central UMC, designated “kits.”
 
 
  
 
 
Change_the_World_Event.htm
Why We Give
As we move into the fall season, the various ministry teams are excitedly looking forward to the next
church year’s events and programs as we put in place our corporate worship experience. This includes the
Stewardship committee, tasked with encouraging sufficient gifts to support the various ministries. As part
of our individual preparation, we ask the question “Why We Give?” Christians give through their church,
for many reasons, including but no limited to—We give because God first gave to us.
 
This is the most basic of all reasons we give. From John 3:16, NRSV, “For God so loved the
world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish, but have
everlasting life.” This is the greatest gift God has given us, in addition to this life and all his blessings.
We give because we love God
 
United Methodists are expected to live according to John Wesley’s “General Rules” – 1. Do no
harm, -2, Do good, -3 Stay in Love with God. Giving to God is a way to build a closer relationship with
God. We give because it is one way to stay in love with God. Giving of our substance is a spiritual
discipline in which we trust God will provide us with enough. As we give, we stay in Love with God.
We give because it is what Christians do.
 
In Acts 2:44-45, NRSV, we read “All who believed were together and had all things in common. They
would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need”. Paul took up a
collection among the gentiles to help the Christians in Judea, who were suffering from famine. The finest
hours of being a Christian occur when we respond generously to help persons in need.
We give because that is what United Methodists do.
 
In the beginning of the Methodist movement, John Wesley urged the practice of sound financial
stewardship. He expected his followers to do three things- Earn all you can, Save all you can, and Give all
you can. We continue that tradition of stewardship and generous giving. We give to make ministry and mission happen
 
In the days after his Resurrection, Jesus said to Peter and every disciple after Peter “Feed my
Lambs.” Our discipleship is about fulfilling Jesus’ command. We want to do good because Jesus told us to
love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Our congregation exists for making disciples of Jesus Christ for
the transformation of the world, a gigantic task. In our time and place little happens without money.
The gifts of money to our church pays the pastor’s salary and the church’s bills, but it also does
good beyond the congregation and even beyond the community. It is used to develop the next generation
of principled Christian leaders, build new churches, and coach lay and clergy leaders to revitalize existing
congregations, provide assistance to the impoverished, and combat devastating disease around the world.
We give because, together, we can do what no individual can do separately. 
Through our collective giving as United Methodists, we share our resources to spread the gospel,
provide help for the victims of disease, war and weather, fund higher Christian education, provide
pensions for retired clergy, and much more. United Methodists find strength and new possibilities in our
connection. We do mission and ministry best when we do it together. We give to make this happen.
 
Why do we give? 
Everyone is God’s steward. One receives from God more than what one gives to God. Like good
stewards, we must give according to how God has prospered us, not to what we have left over. Give
according to what we have felt in our hearts. To give is a privilege. God will provide and multiply. God
wants us to give, not because God is poor or needs it, but because God wants to bless us.
 
Ivette Perez, Asbury United Methodist Church, Camden, N.J.
excerpted from “Why We Give,” published by United Methodist Communications 
 
Rod Rockwell 
 
...
     a program in our congregation that equips lay persons in providing a distinctive Christian one-on-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, in our congregation and community.
  • Waves
    We have given a new name to an ongoing ministry within Central UMC. For several years volunteers within our congregation have been assigned specific wise and valued elders whom they visit, contact by phone or mail cards. The wise and valued elders who are recipients of these visits will now be known as Waves!
  • A wheel chair and walker are available to those who need help getting into the church from the parking area. Central United Methodist Church is a one level structure.
  • A hearing assistance system is available for use in the sanctuary. Please inform one of the ushers if you would like to use it.
  • A van is available to provide rides for those who need it. It is driven by church volunteers to and from Sunday School and the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Call Bob Teets, 597-9651
 
Interfaith Hospitality Network www.nihn.org/
     

Permanent Endowment Fund

 

 

The Endowment Fund has been established at Central to assist in long range funding for outreach and missions.  The fund is invested and the interest is what is used for these specified purposes.  The principal remains in the fund and is not used for program needs.

     There are many ways to be a part of this fund.  A brochure is available in the literature rack which explains all the legalities.  Any individual may give to the fund in $500 increments.  The fund can also be included in wills, life insurance and retirement funds.  For further information or questions talk to Lee Scheierman, Chairperson

 

Volunteer Opportunities at Northern Churches Care
Located in Calvary United Methodist Church, 4210 Austin Bluff Parkway
 
Wanted: Volunteer Driver for Share Colorado -- We are looking for a driver to pick up food on distribution day and bring it to the church. Having a pickup, van, or trailer is necessary because of the amount of food that we pick up. If you would like to help us out, please call Ed Stoddard at 210-7469 or D.J. at 291-4001
  • Substitute pantry workers—Help stock pantry shelves and provide food for clients by subbing for a regular volunteer. A rewarding job that includes client contact. Four hour shifts (includes 30 minutes both before we open and after we close): Mondays 4-7 p.m.; Wednesdays 9 a.m.-12 noon; Thursdays, 9 a.m.-12 noon; Fridays 9 a.m.-12 noon.
  • General help—Monday and Friday afternoons. Calvary UMC generously provides us with a kitchen/pantry, an office and 2 rooms for clients. We need help transitioning these client rooms from and to Sunday school classrooms by rearranging tables and chairs.
  • Pantry stocker—Over the weekend our pantry can get filled with food donations. (Thank you!!) We need 1-2 people on Monday afternoons to help stock the shelves with these items. This position could also be combined with Monday afternoon room set-up.
  • Substitute Receptionist—Assist clients by scheduling appointments as well as answering the phone and looking up client files. Training provided. Four-hour shifts (includes 30 minutes both before we open and after close): Mondays, 4-7 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-12 noon; Thursdays, 9 a.m.-12 noon and 1-4; Fridays, 9 a.m.-12 noon.
*Call Jenny at 277-7470 x 125 if you would like to volunteer!* They need the following: Volunteer greeter (no trainng needed), 3 cases of paper, a power stapler, a shredder, 1 dozen pair of scissors, staple removers, and optical mice. If you can help with any of these needs, please contact Julie Wilson, 277-7470 or Jwilson@northernchurchescare.org
 
One of the great rewards of working on the Mission Ministry Team is being able to see up close all the great things Central United Methodist is
doing in mission to God’s people locally, and across the world. The Balkans holds a place in my heart; perhaps because I saw so much suffering there when I was on active duty. I was very excited when we at CUMC began exploring whether we should enter into a covenant relationship with a Global Ministries missionary, and Carol Partridge was on our “short list.” As we began corresponding with Carol, she seemed like the right “fit” for CUMC. 
     After she visited us last spring, I was convinced that God had led us to her. Kim and I were also very moved to explore the possibility of heading up a CUMC mission trip to Macedonia to help Carol out with VBS, general labor, or wherever else she might need a helping hand. 
Gordon Crom,
Missions Ministry Team
Chairperson
 
Central UMC Office: office@cumccs.org