Mission News
HELP HEIFER HELP FAMILIES
Heifer International believes that, in order to end hunger and poverty, everyone must “pass on the gift.” In honor of April being “Pass on the Gift Month” they have created a new website, just for congregations which will provide resources and fundraising ideas to help end hunger and poverty. The website is: www.heifer.org/ideas
LOVE FIRST OFFERING (Miracle Offering)
Everyone has an opportunity to participate in this offering to be taken at Annual Conference in June. The miraculous outpouring of love will be shared between the Nothing But Nets initiative to stamp out malaria and to strengthen the emerging United Methodist Church in Vietnam and the Methodist Church of Cambodia.
To United Methodist churches Nothing But Nets is creating a buzz. It’s captivating United Methodists as a way to be involved with saving lives. Thousands of people have bought insecticide-treated bed nets at $10 a shot.
The time is right to be involved. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has issued a challenge andthey will match dollar for dollar donations up to $3 million. $2 million has already been raised and so $4 million is on its way to purchase bed nets, distribute them to families in Africa, and explain their use.
FESTIVAL OF SHARING KITS
(All items included in kits must be NEW)
LAYETTE KIT
6 Cloth Diapers 2 Diaper Pins
2 Baby Washcloths 1 Sweater (open in front)
2 Gowns or Sleepers 2 Receiving Blankets
We will NOT need shirts or one-piece body suits; we have enough on hand.
HEALTH KIT
1 Hand Towel (15x25” up to 17x27”; no kitchen towels)
1 Washcloth
1 Comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
1 Nail File or Fingernail Clippers (no emery boards/toenail clippers)
1 Bath-size Bar of Soap (3 oz. and up)
1 Toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper; no child-size brushes)
6 Adhesive Plastic Strip Sterile Bandages
$1.00 to purchase Toothpaste
NOTE: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to
health kits before shipping to ensure the product does not expire before they
are sent.)
SCHOOL KITS
1 Pair Blunt Scissors (rounded tip)
3 Pads (or loose leaf) 8-1/2 x 11” Ruled Paper
1 30-centimeter ruler
1 Hand Held Pencil Sharpener
1 Eraser (2-1/2”)
1 Box of 24 Crayons (only 24)
We will NOT need unsharpened pencils with erasers; there are plenty on hand.
SEAMSTRESSES are needed to complete the school bags. They are available in the
Fellowship Hall in stacks of five. Feel free to pick up some.