Friends,  
   
I am so excited to report that we exceeded our Beyond Our Walls goal of $40,000 in 40 days!  $42,826  was raised to impact the lives of children, strengthen families, and combat hunger, injustice and poverty in Raleigh and beyond.  Thank you to everyone who gave to help us  further share Christ's love in our community and around the world!

T here are many opportunities to put our faith in action this month, and I hope you find several in the highlights below that inspire you to go out and serve in love. 

Grace & Peace, 
Renae

Renae Newmiller , Director of Local and Global Engagement
919-832-7535
Church in the City:  Won't You Be My Neighbor?
August 5, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m., Chapel/Chapel Annex

Join us for our bi-monthly Church in the City series where we come together to discuss issues facing our city, and as Christians how we can respond.  As we embark on an August sermon series on neighboring, Senior Pastor Bob Bauman will lead a discussion on how as a downtown church we can be a good neighbor in our community, and what being a good neighbor can look like in our daily lives.  Hope to see you there!


Congregations for Children Summit
August 11, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Kerr Hall 

Congregations for Children (C4C) is a statewide initiative of the United Methodist Church that focuses on reflecting the love of Christ in the community by helping children in public schools who are living in poverty.   The summit will include an overview of the C4C initiative; practical tips on things churches can do; helpful insights from expert guest speakers; time for interaction and discussion, helpful reference materials and lunch.   There will also be an opportunity to hear from and meet Bishop Ward.   Learn more/sign-up for the summit here.

Can't Make the Summit, but Want to Make a Difference in a Child's Life?

Become a Reading Buddy
We partner with local schools to provide reading buddies.  Serving as a reading buddy is a weekly 30 minute commitment during school hours.  If you are interested in being a reading buddy,  email Renae .

Mentor 
Spend time with a student at  Neighbor to Neighbor  working through an individualized curriculum in math or reading. This requires a one hour per week commitment for the traditional school year. Choose either 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., or 5:45- 6:45 p.m. any day Monday - Thursday.


Conn Elementary School Work Day
August 19, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Conn Elementary School

Help us love on some of our littlest neighbors, by blessing Conn Elementary in a big way!  A week before school starts, we'll head over after church to spend a couple of hours helping the staff, administration and some of the Conn community get ready for students to return to school.  All ages are invited to participate, with projects for all abilities - helping with teacher bulletin boards, painting railings, cleaning off desks, writing notes for the teachers, light landscaping, etc.  We will be serving up subway sandwiches - so lunch is included!  

The Most Amazing Race
August 25

Like the popular TV show, The Salvation Army's MOST Amazing Race gives teams of two an all-access pass as they race around downtown Raleigh. Teams follow clues to reach checkpoints, where they complete a task before moving on to the next location.

All of the proceeds from The MOST Amazing Race will be used to benefit The Salvation Army's Community Center, which serves more than 100 children and families every single day, and more than 1,500 throughout the entire year.    Register today!

Spend Time with Kids at the Raleigh Rescue Mission
August 27, 6:45 - 7:45 p.m., 314 E. Hargett Street

Spend time with children at the Rescue Mission, giving their moms a chance to attend an onsite worship service and providing them with some much needed time to relax, rejoice and rejuvenate.  We'll tell a Bible story, sing songs, play games, and do crafts.  It is a sweet time of high energy fun!  Email Tina  to get involved.

Help Stock the Food Pantry 

All year we collect non-perishable food items for the Urban Ministries food pantry, but in the summer, when kids are home from school and don't receive free and reduce breakfast and lunch, the need is much bigger.  The next time you're at the grocery store, please consider purchasing some extra items to help feed hungry families in Wake County.  Ongoing needs include brown rice, beans, low-sugar cereal and pasta sauce (in plastic jars).  Collection bins are on the first floor of the Edenton Street campus.


Great Day of Service - Save the Date!
October 20

Plan to join us for our 10 th annual Great Day of Service!  This is a day when our entire Edenton Street family gathers as one to partner with ministries, non-profits and schools across Raleigh to share God's love in a very practical way.  Sign-up coming in September.  Save the date!


Serve Others in 2018: 
Ongoing Opportunities
 
Looking for ongoing opportunities to serve?  Here are a few ways to get involved on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis:

Loads of Love
Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00 p.m., weekly teams provide one free wash & dry to people in need, serve weekly or monthly. Email Dawn 
 
Alliance Medical Ministry Community Garden 
2nd Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and the 4th Wednesdays 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.  Drop in (101 Donald Ross Drive, Raleigh).

Raleigh Rescue Mission 
4th Monday, 6:45-7:45 p.m., spend time with children, giving their moms time to attend an onsite worship service and to relax, rejoice and rejuvenate -  email Tina.

Family Promise - Helping Families who are Experiencing Homelessness
Quarterly we host families who are temporarily homeless - providing housing and meals for a week at a time.  There are lots of ways to be involved.  Email Ed  to find out how.  Upcoming dates are:   November 25-December 2.

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.

Missional Communities
We have Missional Communities across all of our campuses who live life together and serve in our community on a monthly basis.  Email Ashley to connect with one of these amazing groups.