NEIGHBORS
HELPING NEIGHBORS
** Update: Our church
raised over $450 for East African famine relief. Combined with other
churches, mosques and synagogues in Maine, Neighbors Helping Neighbors
raised over $1000 for this cause. We have also collected several
boxes of food for local food banks. Thanks to all who helped with
this project! **
Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Both Near and Far is an interfaith
project organized by members of the Winthrop United Methodist Church
and members of the Islamic Center of Maine in Orono. In September
2011 we worked with other local churches, mosques and synagogues
to fight hunger in our local and international communities. Through
our combined efforts, we raised over $1000 for East African Famine
Relief and several boxes of food for local food banks.
Information about Hunger in Maine:
Maine has been hard hit by the recent economic crisis and as a result
hunger is on the rise. According to the USDA, 200 000 Mainers are
hungry, and Maine ranks among the highest states in the nation for
food insecurity. Mainers of all faiths believe that it is imperative
that we work together to fight this problem in our communities,
and so Neighbors Helping Neighbors collected donations of food that
were distributed to local food pantries.
Famine in East Africa:
More than 13 million people across East Africa are facing the worst
drought in 60 years. People cannot afford the basic food supplies
they need to survive, and malnutrition now affects over 20% of the
population due to food and water shortages. Neighbors Helping Neighbors
has collected donations for Islamic
Relief USA,* which is distributing food, water and emergency
shelter to over 450, 000 people in the Horn of Africa.
Islamic Relief USA is an international relief and development organization
with permanent offices in 35 countries. Islamic Relief's USA office
has been given a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator (the same rating
as UMCOR). Islamic Relief works in partnership with other international
aid organizations, church groups, and local relief agencies in the
areas they serve. To donate online (link has high grade encryption
and security protocols) click here.
TABITHA'S CLOSET
Tabitha's Closet is sponsored by the Blessings
and Outreach Teams. It takes place twice a year, once in the
summer just before school starts and once in December. Children's
toys, clothes, and supplies are offered for free to people in our
community who need them.
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Last fall our children and youth were involved in raising money
for Heifer International. They talked about this program in Sunday
School, and read several books about the Heifer Project, including
Beatrice's Goat. With the just over $400 that they raised,
they were able to donate a trio of rabbits ($60), a share of a cow
($50), a goat ($120), a pig ($120), a flock of 10 chickens ($20),
and a hive of honeybees ($30)!
STEPHEN MINISTRIES
Check back soon for information!
PRAYER SHAWLS
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will be gathering on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday
of every month from 12:30p.m—2:00p.m. Feel free to pass by and do
some knitting! If you don’t know how to knit and are interested
in learning attend a gathering! To get more information about where
to meet, contact the Church Office at 377-8620 or via email.
NICARAGUAN SCHOOL CHILDREN
Thank you to all who contributed money for school children at our
Sister Church in Nicaragua. Because of your generosity, we were
able to send $1,900+ before Christmas, and an additional $550 after
Christmas. The total, $2,400-2,500, is the level we covenanted for.
We rejoice in our church's faithfulness in providing for better
education for the children of Sabana Grande for several years now.
MITTEN TREE
WUMC works with local agencies each December to connect people in
our church with those in the local area who need Christmas presents.
Wrapped gifts are collected, as well as gift cards to area businesses.
Everything happens anonymously, so no one knows who they are buying
for - just gender and age. It another way to give joyfully, and
one that can be especially wonderful to share with our children
by having them help pick out the gifts, or wrapping and decorating
the packages.
Please contact the Church Office at 377-8620 or via email
if you know of any agencies or schools we should partner with.
WONDER AWHILE NURSERY SCHOOL
(WANS)
Wonder Awhile Nursery School has been a mission of Winthrop United
Methodist Church for more than fifty years. To learn more about
this wonderful nursery school program for three and four year olds,
visit their website, www.wonderawhile.com,
or visit our WANS
page to learn more about the history of the school and its connection
with WUMC.
MECHUWANA
Mechwana
offers Youth Programs, Summer Camps, a wonderful meeting space,
and more. WUMC supports Mechuwana with work days, and welcomes many
Mechuwana visitors at our worship services in the summer.
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Winthrop, Maine
