FUMC Mission Memo - Winter 2023


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Mission Memo

Spotlighting Our Local, National & International Outreach

Winter 2023

The Mission Committee would like to thank all of you for supporting FUMC Missions. Whether it is gifts for children found on the Angel Tree, food donations for the pantry, or monetary donations to Pura Vida, every little bit helps to change lives. Even the simple step of signing up with King Soopers' Community Rewards Program helps to cover the cost of gift baskets delivered to Harvest Pointe residents. This year, 52 residents have signed up to receive baskets and 2 church families will also be receiving baskets. Thanks to you for all you do in this season of giving.

Christmas Offering

Breaking with tradition, the Missions Committee wanted this year's Christmas Offering to have more of a local focus, so we chose two Northern Colorado organizations and an international organization to receive equal shares of the offering. The Christmas offering will be going to the Laundry Truck, Loveland Salvation Army and UMCOR.

Pastor Woody's Laundry Truck has been a mainstay in Loveland, providing laundry service for families and the homeless. For years, members of our church have been volunteering at the truck each week, collecting, washing and folding the laundry. They are well aware of the workout the washing machines and dryers get. The machines are breaking down and need to be replaced. Your donations to the Christmas Offering will help to cover some of those costs.

The Loveland Salvation Army provides social services in our community. They work to help people overcome poverty through services such as rent assistance, respite lodging, transportation assistance and much more. For those facing food insecurity, they provide food baskets and snacks. Our Christmas Offering will help them continue their good works.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provides relief on a global scale where it is needed. With the conflict in the Middle East dominating the news, the Missions Committee wanted to direct a portion of the Christmas Offering to providing humanitarian aid to the area. Global Ministries UMCOR is providing grants to partners in the area for relocation support, food and hygiene kits for internally displaced people, and more.

Pozole Dinner

There's not much better than a piping hot bowl of soup on a cold winter's night. You're in luck! Once again, FUMC is hosting the Pozole Dinner, a fundraiser for Truscott School, in Coy Hall on December 14th from 5:30pm until about 7pm. Pozole is a traditional soup or stew of Mexico, from pre-Columbian days. Mother's of students attending Truscott will be using the kitchen in Coy Hall the day before to prepare their special Pozole recipes. Bowls of their tasty soups will be on sale at a reasonable price on the night of the dinner. Hopefully there will be plenty of churros available this year. They were a big hit last year and sold out quickly, so if you're going, consider getting there early to make sure you get one. And stick around to browse the silent auction where you may pick up a bargain while at the same time supporting Truscott School.

If you'd like to help out, volunteers are needed to greet patrons at the two open entrances in Lobby Court (north and south). Shifts at the doors should last only about an hour if there are a sufficient number of volunteers for relief so that you get time to enjoy a bowl of soup. The first shift will start around 4:30pm while the remainder can show up around 6pm. If a few of you can stick around afterwards, help with cleanup would be appreciated. Contact Barry Wehrle for details and to sign up.

Let's Raise the Roof

We're more than halfway to our goal of $3750 to cover the cost of building half a house with Pura Vida for a Guatemalan family. Our team from FUMC will be going to Guatemala in February to help construct the home. Please consider making a contribution to this effort. You can visit the Pura Vida website here to contribute or join the team virtually. If you'd rather, you can make an offering through FUMC by including "2024 Pura Vida Work Trip" in the memo on your check. Let's get this home built!

Contact Keith Flaming for more information

Pantry Pause

You may have heard the saying "No good deed goes unpunished". Well that phrase appears to apply to the Little Free Pantry. FUMC had been supporting the pantry with food donations, but that stopped a couple months ago when the pantry, located at Trinity UMC, was shut down. It was reported that trash was accumulating around the pantry and the neighbors were complaining. In addition, clients were harassing people dropping off donations, so it was decided to cease operations while the situation continues to be evaluated.

The Little Free Pantry is still working on ways to get food to those who need it. They recently announced that bags of food will be distributed at Trinity UMC on Saturdays from 10am to 12 noon through the month of December. The bags will be available to anyone who comes and requests one during those hours. Donations of food will be accepted at Trinity church between the hours of 10am and 12 noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays up to the end of the month. FUMC will not be collecting food donations, but we encourage you to visit Trinity UMC with your donations. When we learn how the Little Free Pantry will be moving forward, we'll keep you informed here or in The Window.

Habitat for Humanity

On a freezing cold morning towards the end of October, a few members (and former members) of FUMC met at the Grace Gardens at Derby Hill development to help with construction of a couple of homes Habitat for Humanity has there. Fortunately, all the work to be done that day was inside. On the first house, the order of the morning was painting, primarily on the ceiling, so there were plenty of splatter opportunities. After lunch, the second house needed drywall installed around windows and in closets.

Habitat for Humanity builds houses year round. This year, there were two FUMC build days. Although, participation has dropped off, we'll look forward to a couple of opportunities to work together in the coming year. Keep an eye out for those in The Window and join in the work and fun.

Service Fair

Thanks to all of you who attended the Service Fair in Coy Hall back on October 15th. And thanks to all the organizations who showed up to inform the congregation about their efforts in the community. Hopefully, you got a chance to talk to some of them. Below are photos of the booths that were set up in Coy Hall. You can click a photo or the text below it to be taken to the website associated with the organization.