April 2017
MISSIONS NEWS

Friends,       

There are many opportunities to serve with, and support, our local and global ministry partners this month. From discussions, to collection drives, to hands-on opportunities, and more. Check out some of the highlights below.
 

Grace and Peace, 
Renae

Renae Newmiller , Director of Sending Ministries
919-832-7535 

Church in the City - 
Getting to Know our Muslim Neighbors
April 2, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m., Chapel/Chapel Annex

Join us for our bi-monthly series looking at issues facing our city, and as Christians how we can respond.  Farris Barakat, who leads the Light House Project, will be joining us to share insight on being a Muslim American, commonalities our religions hold for peace and justice, and ways we can support our Muslim neighbors. 

Help Families Experiencing Homelessness
April 2-9

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, and contact links:

Behind the scenes -  Help with set-up, take-down, or laundry 
With the families -  Welcome our guests, make and share a meal, spend the night, help with daily transportation (van provided) to the day center

Lenten Collection Drives
Through April 9 

Helping Our Hungry Neighbors Challenge 
Here's the challenge: for every meal you and your family eat Monday-Saturday, place one non-perishable food item in a grocery bag.  Bring the full bag back to church with you on Sunday.  Empty the contents in the food collection bins near the 1st floor or sanctuary entrances. Repeat the steps above each week during Lent. If you want to make a financial donation, $20 covers 100 pounds of healthy frozen food! Make checks out to ESUMC, and mark Food Drive.

Collecting Children's Socks & Underwear 
We are partnering with Conn Elementary School, and they are in need of new socks and underwear for the school  clothing closet.  Socks and underwear (all children's sizes - must be new), can be placed in the collection baskets in Kerr Hall, near the stage.  

Bridging the Divide Between 
Black & White Women
April 1, Hayes Barton UMC
 
The Encouraging Place invites women to gather at Hayes Barton UMC, from 8:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., to address race related issues, and to learn what God has to say about His relationship with us.   This is the second in a series, but previous participation is not required.  Register here .   

ZOE's in the House
April 20, 7:00 p.m., Chapel Annex

Recently named as one of 2017's most innovative nonprofits, ZOE is helping 30,000+ children in seven countries (including 77 children ESUMC sponsors in Liberia) move from poverty to self-reliance.  Join us as we hear incredible stories of transformation from Chief Program Operator, and Kenya Country Manager, Reegan Kaberia and Executive Director Gaston Warner.  We're super excited to be able to host these two who are in town for a board meeting!
Impact Mission Celebration
April 23, 1- 5 p.m., Johnston County Community College

The Capital District of the NC United Methodist Church Conference invites us to join with other churches in our district for an afternoon of hands-on mission, break-out learning sessions, great food and worship led by Bishop Hope Morgan Ward.  Everyone is invited!    Click here   for more information. 
Eat BBQ & Support Our Ministry Partners
April 28, 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Our United Methodist Women will be serving up some Smithfield BBQ at their "When Pigs Fly Missions Happen" BBQ to benefit The Methodist Home for Children, and Urban Ministries.  P urchase tickets here.  

Double the Blessing by Purchasing Mission Meals!
T here's also an option to purchase "Mission Meals," for some of our hungry neighbors, and as a thank you to the first responders who kept our church safe during the recent downtown fire.  
Spring Cleaning?

Donate Your Gently-Used Clothes to First Baptist
The First Baptist Clothing Closet (one of our church neighbors) serves 1,000+ people a month, and is a great place to donate clothing. Clothes can be dropped off at First Baptist, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., through their back door (kitty-corner from our church, at the corner of McDowell and Ed enton Streets).

Donate Next-to-New Household Items to the Green Chair Project
Help families transitioning out of homelessness, crisis or disaster by donating your gently-used household items to  The Green Chair Project . There is a particular need for queen size comforters, blankets and sheet sets, as well as twin gender neutral sheet sets, and boyish comforters.  Click here f or more information,  and here to learn about their upcoming            Chairity Event on April 20th.  
Disaster Response Day Trips
Ongoing

In continuing efforts to respond to Hurricane Matthew damage,
we have a team of folks who partner with other United Methodist churches to work on homes impacted by the storm.   There will be day trips throughout the spring and summer. To help, email Suzanne .  

Take a Trip of Hope to Liberia
May 16 - 25  

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 .  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 join the May trip, email Renae to learn more.  

Response to Crisis in South Sudan 

Civil strife and famine in South Sudan, the world's youngest country, are tearing thousands of people from their homes, leading to starvation and lack of access to clean water. Countless refugees are pouring into neighboring countries as worsening ethnic conflicts and power struggles deepen the local crisis caused by severe drought in those adjoining lands.   Learn how to support efforts to help by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) .  
Ongoing Opportunities 
 
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
We have seventeen Missional Communities who live life together and serve in our community on a monthly basis.  Connect with one of these amazing groups.



"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16, The Message