Friends,
Mother Teresa once said, "
Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love." T
here are many ways to do this in February, and I hope you find several opportunities in the highlights below that inspire you to go out and serve and love!
Be Peace,
Renae
|
|
Human trafficking happens daily in towns and cities across the country, including Raleigh. In fact, NC is among the top ten states with the highest number of reported trafficking cases. So what can we do? Join us for the third in a six-part, bimonthly series looking at issues facing our city, and as Christians how we can respond. Our discussion will include experts from Project FIGHT and the Raleigh Police Department.
|
Interfaith Day of Learning
February 6, Temple Beth Or, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Featuring Duke Divinity School's Dr. Ellen Davis and Imam Abdulla Antepli, the Interfaith Day of Learning explores a topic both timely and timeless. In a community of Muslims, Christians, and Jews, sacred stories will be shared from each tradition about love and its role in building a responsive and responsible community. Learn more/register.
|
Locked in Solidarity Prayer Vigil
February 9, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., Chapel
Locked in Solidarity is part of a national prayer vigil of lament, hope and stories seeking the Lord regarding a Christian response to mass incarceration. This
is a time to pray for our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated, their families, children, and loved ones. It is also a time to learn ways we can better support those who are incarcerated, and how to help welcome them back into our community when they are released.
|
Help Build a House!
February 18
As part of a coalition of downtown churches, we have the opportunity to help families realize their dreams of being homeowners. Join our February build day (or sign-up for March), as we come alongside Al and Terry Young, and their four children. No special building skills required.
|
Love on Families who are Homeless
February 19-26
As part of a network of churches called Family Promise, we welcome families who are temporarily experiencing homelessness, and provide housing and meals on the third floor of our original campus for a week at a time, four-five times a year. Each host week takes many hands, and we'd love for you to join us! Here's how you can help:
|
Eat Pancakes & Support Youth Trip to Haiti
February 28, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Kerr Hall
Want to help change a student's life forever? Want to eat some great food in the process?
Join us as our eStreet Youth host the annual Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper! There will be piles of pancakes, sides of meat and fruit with all the coffee and orange juice you can consume! Donations will be accepted for the spring break high school pilgrimage to Haiti.
|
Take a ZOE Trip of Hope to Liberia
May 15 - 24
Want an opportunity to experience God's power at work in the lives of some of the most vulnerable children on earth?
If so, consider journeying to Liberia with
ZOE
, a ministry that empowers orphans to care for themselves and their siblings. While there, you'll meet our ESUMC
sponsored
orphan working group,"Friends Forever" (a name they picked), which consists of 25 orphan-led households, comprised of 77 children who are orphans. Come experience, and be
challenged by, the expressions of faith and discipleship evident in the lives of these young people.
To get a glimpse into the trip,
c
heck out this video
from a trip by the Woodlands UMC to visit their working group in Rwanda. If you want to join the May trip, email Renae to learn more.
|
Red Rose Benefit
March 4, 5:00 p.m., Kerr Hall
This fun fundraiser is for our Ruth Sheets adult day care center, which provides a safe place for older adults who need assistance with daily activities, but do not need to be in a nursing home, while their family members work or take a respite. The event includes dinner, entertainment, and live and silent auctions. For more information/tickets
email Matt.
|
 Serve Others in 2017
Looking for ongoing opportunities to serve this year? Here are a few ways to get involved on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis:
Loads of Love
Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., weekly teams provide one free wash & dry to people in need, serve weekly or monthly.
Email Dawn
Reading Buddies
Spend 30 minutes a week reading with a child at a local elementary school (during the school day).
Email Renae
Mentor with Neighbor to Neighbor
Work one-on-one helping a child with homework for an hour once a week.
Learn more.
Ruth Sheets Center
Spend time with older adults in ESUMC's adult day center. Choose a weekday, 2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Email Matt.
Raleigh Rescue Mission
4th Monday, 6:45-7:45 p.m., serve with our devotion/worship team -
email John or spend time with children, giving their moms time to relax, rejoice and rejuvenate during worship -
email Tina.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Knit or crochet lap blankets for people who are sick or homebound.
Email Catherine.
Meals on Wheels
Deliver meals to people who are homebound. Mon. - Fri., daily, weekly or monthly opportunities.
Learn more
Missional Communities
|
|
|
|
"E
verybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant."
The Drum Major Instinct, February 4, 1968 Atlanta Georgia
Martin Luther King, Jr.
|
|
|
|
