Our Mission Statement: To promote awareness for the needs and programs of institutions supported by the Church locally, nationally, and around the world.
MISSION NEWS The Mission Team met recently to review requests for a variety of needs in the local area, nationally and worldwide. On the local level, donations were given to Thomas Fuest from Fredonia, who will be embarking on a mission trip to Honduras in August. A family from Findley Lake United Methodist Church requested and received a donation toward their expenses of an eleven month training session for missionary work abroad. Our church family has worked over the past several months bringing coins and bills to help Pastor Matt on his journey to the Congo and the Mission Team gave additional help. It was noted that the Salvation Army is having a special appeal to cover a short-fall in their budget. It was felt by everyone that their “”Christmas in July” campaign deserved our help as they do so much good in the community. Also, deserving of our help is Chautauqua County Rural Ministries and so a donation was made to their annual campaign. Helping Gateway-Longview and their programs to support troubled teens has long been a commitment from our church and so they too received a donation. It is such a joy to read the heartfelt thank you letters and cards that are received. To quote Ed Hamlet from Camp Gross – he wrote: Dear Friends, You are the major help and support for Camp Gross. We can’t thank you and your friends enough for all you have done to make Camp Gross the child’s paradise it has become. The kids, campers and their leaders especially thank you. Thanks again.” The American Cancer Society sent thanks for our contribution of $1000 through Relay for Life. The Friendly Kitchen thanked us for the special Easter offering “with a grateful heart.” Global Ministries thanked us for the support of missionary work in Zimbabwe. A small group of individuals in our church call themselves “Helping Hands” for they respond to requests from people in our church and the community that need help with house repairs, painting and seasonal maintenance. The Mission team, coordinates the work sessions and funds are made available to cover materials needed. All of this is done in a confidential manner. One thank you recently summed up the feeling of appreciation for help by saying “our Mission Team is very special for you are putting Christ’s message into action.” It is most humbling to be able to help and support our church family, here and around the world. We couldn’t do it were it not for the help that all of you do to support our budget. Thank you so very much! We will make every effort to be good stewards of the funds you have entrusted us to do the work of the Lord. Shirley Erbsmehl Chair
Mission Trip To New Orleans Disaster Child Care Volunteers Help "Welcome Home" New Orleans Children In February, we were privileged to be part of a Disaster Child Care team from WNY. We spent two weeks volunteering in New Orleans, at the "Louisiana Welcome Home Center." Our team, led by Barbara Weaver; also included Judy Bezon from the Sodus UMC (Pastor Jim Lesch's church). All of us were previously trained, as Disaster Child Care Volunteers, by Barbara Weaver. This disaster response service is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren. Child care volunteers come from a variety of denominations. They provide "a safe environment and comforting presence for children impacted by traumatic events."
Our
team worked at The FEMA
Welcome
Home Center, which opened in January. This center
provides one-stop information services for families
returning to New Orleans. Here returning residents
receive the assistance needed to rebuild their homes and
their lives. Each partnering organization is there to
provide citizens with a holistic range of services.
As child care volunteers we were on site to provide care
When parents registered their children a Polaroid photo was taken with the parent and child. The person in the photo was the only one we could release the child to. The photo was given to the family when they left. Parents and grandparents were grateful to receive this. One mother was so overwhelmed that she had tears in her eyes. She said, "I haven't got no picture of my boy and me since the water came." While in New Orleans the team was housed at Aurora United Methodist Church, the Westbank Recovery Center for New Orleans. We slept on cots and air mattresses. There were hot showers, a washer and dryer and kitchen facilities for meal preparation. This is also where our Bishop, Violet Fisher and her team stayed in 2006. The Aurora UMC recovery center is expecting to house over 140 volunteers each week through the end of April. Spring is definitely the busy season. It is a good place to call home. There is still so much to be done all along the gulf coast. We heard over and over again, "if it weren't for the church groups helping, we would not be where we are today." Thank you for being supportive of all the gulf coast mission efforts. Your support of UMCOR and our Fredonia mission team is making a difference . Linda and Tom Cooper Donations in support of this mission experience can be made to First United Methodist Church of Fredonia Write gulf coast mission trip on the memo line. Have you considered entering into Missions? If you are looking to become involved in a worthwhile cause, there are many opportunities to be of help right here in our own community. Your time and talents are among God's gifts that when shared make for a brighter, happier world for everyone.Please feel free to attend our Mission Team meetings and get involved! Please pray for all of the
volunteers in Missions. They serve locally in our
community, as well as nationally and internationally.
Some receive recognition while others serve quietly, known
only by a kindness passed along the way.... |
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for
the children of families coming to the information
center to apply for assistance. A child care area
was set u