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Missions/Service

"As you have done it for one of these, you have done it for me." Matthew 25:40

Our mission giving has enabled many ministries at home and around the world. We serve in Oxford, Hamilton, Kentucky and New Mexico. We are in Belize, Congo, Germany, India, Liberia, Nicaragua and Russia. Thank you from each life touched in God’s name.

The Purpose of the Missions Committee is to -

educate, inform, and motivate the congregation about mission outreach and their part in it;
involve members of the congregation in mission and service projects in the community and around the world;
evaluate mission projects and develop a benevolence program;
report to the congregation on the benefits of its outreach.

The Missions Committee is open to anyone who wants to serve as a member. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday at 7 p.m. in Room 202. Check with the church office at 523-5115 for any last minute changes.

For more information about mission programs of the United Methodist church, visit the General Board of Global Ministries web site at www.gbgm-umc.org.

OUMC excels at Third Mile Giving

First Mile Giving –

Pledges and gifts to the operating fund

Second Mile Giving –

Pledges and gifts to OUMC's Mission Challenge goals

Third Mile Giving –

Gifts in response to special needs

OUMC’s support for Third Mile Giving has been excitingly fantastic!

1. For "Saving the Life of a Child; The Best Christmas Gift,"

$2,186 was donated and sent to Darfur via Ginghamsburg UMC in Troy, Ohio; and
$2799.26 was donated and sent to Tree of Life Ministry in Mission,South Dakota.

2. For those affected by the earthquakes in Haiti, 34 Health Kits were donated.

3. For UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) almost $5,000 has been donated for relief in Haiti.

4. The gifts of blankets, coats, and other winter clothing to be sent to Tree of Life Ministry was beyond our wildest imagining with well over 2,000 pounds – more than a ton! – donated. The cost of shipping was covered by monetary gifts.

God called and you responded out of your abundance of caring! To God be the glory!

Ministry at OUMC

Helping Hands

Church members and friends sometimes have small tasks that need to be done. Often it is as simple as changing a light bulb or smoke alarm battery. As most of the callers are ones who should not be climbing to do these tasks, a Helping Hand is available. If you need a helping hand, contact Ray Cook at 529-6094 or 280-0158, or Alice Laatsch at 523-6482, and help will be on the way.

If you would like to serve as a Helping Hand, also contact Ray or Alice. You will be added to the list of willing responders.

Ministry in Oxford

Oxford Community Choice Pantry

Volunteers needed

There is a need for community residents to volunteer at the Community Pantry.

Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30 until 7 p.m.
Saturdays from 1:30 until 4 p.m.
Third Tuesday of each month to help unload the Shared Harvest truck
Miscellaneous times each month for stocking and sorting shelves

E-mail Mickey Bement at oxchoicepantry@aol.com to get specific information and to volunteer to help.

Family Resource Center Thrift Store

Volunteers, donations and shoppers needed!

The Thrift Store is open to the public with a wide range of household items, clothing, children's toys, strollers, CDs, and much more – all priced to sell! Proceeds will support the mission of the Family Resource Center.

The store is located at 5445 College Corner Pike behind the Family Resource Center. Hours of operation are:

Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Monday and Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Questions? Call 523-2047.

Wednesday's Community Dinner

Every Wednesday one of five churches in Oxford serves a community dinner. OUMC's Wednesday is the first Wednesday of the month. Dinner is served in Fellowship Hall at 5:30 to all who come. Everyone is invited for food and fellowship. Those who can pay a little for the meal are encouraged to do so. Those who cannot are equally welcome.

Thanks to the work of many good cooks, servers, and welcomers, attendance is growing. Our presence and service is making a difference in Oxford.

Community Dinner ministry with children

As more children come with their families to the Community Dinner on the first Wednesday, we are developing a children’s program. There will be a craft and there is always interest in the playground. Adult helpers are needed for safety's sake. If you are being called to this ministry to children, let Jennifer Marston know by calling the church office at 523-5115.

Community Dinner Dry Pantry

At this time we also offer a "dry pantry" for those whose needs exceed their income. The following items are currently needed in smaller sizes, please:

dish soap, laundry detergent and bleach;
scouring powder and cleaners; and
shampoo of all varieties.

As you shop for your family, include at least one item for another family. Place it in the basket in the entry to the Education Building or bring it to the kitchen the evening of the First Wednesday. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Your change can make a change

Howard Krauss and Ray Cook have taken on the challenge of creating a Change Bucket which will make an appearance at most church functions. By contributing the loose change in our pockets and purses, we will be helping to fund the First Wednesday Community Dinners and Dry Pantry.

Ministry around the globe

Is God calling you to serve?

Dream . . . . Pray . . . . Listen . . . .

Clinica Buena Fe —

in Nuevo Progresso, Mexico, is a project of West Ohio Conference with teams going seven times a year for a long weekend to provide simple medical care for those with none. Needed are health care professionals and "helping hands."

January 14-17, March 11-14, May 13-16, June 24-27, August 5-8, October 7-10,

and November 11-14

http://woconsole.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/2010

MexMed_Brochure_JWITCZYX.pdf

Prime Timers —

for older adults is a blend of Elderhostel and United Methodist Volunteers In Mission.

Alaska - The Last North American Frontier: August 20-28 in Auke Bay, Alaska
New Mexico's Cultural Riches: October 9-16 at McCurdy School, Española, New Mexico
All Creatures Great and Small: November 7-12 at Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island, Georgia
Making Music - Jamaican Style: January 8-15, 2011, Brownstown, Jamaica

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mv/programs/primetimers/

Northwest Plains District —

of the West Ohio Conference has a trip to New Windsor, Maryland, planned for September 26 to October 1, 2010, primarily for older adults.

Contact Phyllis Bidlack at 419-594-2825 or gladacrefarm@juno.com.

Mission Enabling Fund is well funded

There is money in the Mission Enabling Fund (money that comes from using Kroger gift cards) for someone or several someones to hear God’s call to a Volunteers in Mission adventure. It will pay part of a trip for anyone who is a worshiper in our congregation. You need not be a “member of the church.” Let the pastoral staff or Alice Laatsch (523-6482) know of your need and fill out the very simple paper work. Listen for God’s call. Let OUMC be part of the answer to that call.

Fund now helps with camps and conferences

The Missions Committee has opened the Mission Enabling Fund to help children and youth who would like to attend United Methodist camps and conferences. Pastor Karen, Pastor Fred, Jennifer Marston, and Amy Lorenz have information about these programs, which can make a real difference in Christian growth and understanding. You can also find information about West Ohio Conference camps at www.westohiocamps.com.

Have you used your Kroger gift card lately?

It can be used at 20 different groceries and three jewelers nationwide. (See the very small print on the back of your card.) Any money you put on your card generates money for sending members of our congregation on mission trips through our Mission Enabling Fund because OUMC receives 4% of the total you put on your card.

We will post on the bulletin board in the Education Building the receipt we get from Kroger. It lists by card number the amount put on the cards. If you wonder whether yours made the list, please check. The gift card number is on the back of the card just above the dark stripe.

Don’t have a card? See Carol Michael or Alice Laatsch at church, or call Alice at 523-6482 or the church office at 523-5115.

NOMADS

The acronym NOMADS stands for Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service. NOMADS is a mission outreach ministry of the United Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries. The NOMADS program offers persons with recreational vehicles the opportunity to share their time and skills in United Methodist projects, including churches, camps, mission agencies, and local neighborhoods.

For more information contact Carolyn and Ernie Wengler at 523-3495 or visit http://www.nomadsumc.org/.

Year-round Angels

At Christmas time we talk of angels. But did you know that you can be an Angel any time during the year? Why wait for December?

The "Angel Fund" is a line item separately funded from the regular budget and mainly funded by Angels. It is used by the pastors to help individuals whose needs aren’t covered by any agencies or arise in emergencies.

Some of the recipients are those who come into the church from "outside." Some are those on the "inside." All need help meeting the worrisome costs of life.

So join with the Angels. Checks should be written to the church with "Angel Fund" in the notation. Cash put in the pew "Mission" envelopes should have "Angel Fund" written on the outside.

Treasures in trash

There are many little things that we ignore or throw away, but can mean a lot to someone else.

Put any of the following donations in the large basket near the entrance doors of the Education Building. They will be sorted and delivered to the appropriate place.