Missions

Check out what's going on in Missions at VUMC:

• Plus 10 continues to raise funds for our local groups, South County Community Services and Generous Hands. We can ALWAYS use more folks to sign up so be sure to visit the Mission table at church!
• Emergency kits for Haiti collection continues. The most needed items are health kits, layette kits, birthing kits and sewing kits (see the spinner next to the mission table for kit requirements).
• Collections continue for pop tabs, Campbell's Soup labels, Spartan bar codes, and Box Tops for Education. All of these get used within the SW Michigan area to support schools, after school programs, our preschool and the Ministry Shares of the church.
• We are currently in contact with UMCOR concerning rebuilding a school in Port Au Prince.
• Angel Food Distribution is continuing on the 4th Saturday each month. February saw a substantial increase in boxes ordered thanks to the newspaper article.
• "Sewing for Haiti" will also continue on the 4th Saturday afternoon. This will also begin to encompass local charity projects for other organizations as well.
• Lenten offering this year will go to an appeal from District Superintendent to help support a new church start called Life Spring UMC in Texas Township, which can use the financial help but also critically needs prayers that it can be successful in sharing the Gospel in the area.
• Help and support continues for the children that benefit from Generous Hands. See Lisa Coe if you are interested in helping to pack.

CURRENT

18 gallon plastic storage totes WITH lids
Gallon sized zip lock type bags
Extra wide double fold bias tape in various colors (lots and lots of it)
Ruffles, rick rack and trims to go on dresses for Haiti
Cash to purchase a bias tape maker
Smaller clear plastic storage totes with lids to store yarn
Yarn for various knitting projects
Various colors of machine sewing thread
Electrical power strips

Congratulations!!!

Diana Pomeroy, our Missions Chair, was named "Citizen of the Year" by the Greater Vicksburg Area Chamber of Commerce for her many types of volunteer work, especially her efforts to bring Angel Food Ministries to the South County Area this year. Diana was nominated by Terri & Ken Franklin. Diana is pictured here with Terri Franklin.

Angel Food Ministries

Obviously fall is here and all that entails has come with it! September had only about 100 boxes for the total order. That's kind of sad... as the economy hasn't really bounced back yet and so many more people could be served!

If you haven't checked out the program, be sure to go to our Angel Food Ministries web page to learn more. IF YOU EAT, YOU QUALIFY!!! Order a box, give it a try or recommend to a friend!!

UMC Ministry Shares

Jesus said, "You will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and the ends of the earth." We choose to live out this by contributing about 12% of our church budget to the larger mission of the United Methodist Church throughout the world. The missions we support through ministry shares include:

• World Service
• Ministerial Education
• Black Colleges
• Interdenominational Cooperation
• Africa University
• General Administration
• Kalamazoo District missions and administration
• West Michigan Conference missions and administration

To learn more about these funds, please pick up a "Who We Are" booklet from the Welcome Center or go the the United Methodist Web site at www.umcgiving.org