Friends,

I am amazed by the generosity shown throughout Lent in partnering with us as we come alongside orphans and vulnerable children in Liberia and Haiti.  Enough money was raised to sponsor a second ZOE orphan empowerment group in Liberia, as well as a Help One Now  classroom in Haiti!  Thank you to all who joined us in prayer for these children and who gave financially to impact young lives around the world!

There 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 & Global Engagement
919-832-7535 


Help a Child by Giving Books
May 1 - 31 

 

Join us as we partner with Conn Elementary to make sure low-income students in grades K-5 leave school on the last day of the year with books in hand!  Research shows that reading just four or five books over the summer helps prevent learning loss and maintains literacy skills. 

 
So, can you give four - five new or next-to-new children's books?   Or even one or two?  If so, drop books in the 1st floor collection bins throughout the month of May.


Carroll's Kitchen - Inspiring 2nd Chances
 
Carroll's Kitchen, a nonprofit social enterprise restaurant providing healthy employment for women leaving crisis, would love help engaging the community as they inspire a world of second chances!    For questions or more information on how to get involved, email Sara Acosta. 


Build with Habitat for Humanity 
May 4, June 1, June 8

As part of a coalition of downtown churches, we help families realize their dreams of being homeowners by building with Habitat for Humanity.  Join us for our spring build as we come alongside a local family eager to have a home of their own.  No special building skills required.   Sign-up here. 

Shop for The Green Chair Project
May 3 & 4, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., 1853 Capital Blvd.

Join  The Green Chair Project for the grand opening weekend of the Shop for The Green Chair Project.   Shop new, used, vintage and antique home items and furniture for a great cause!   All sale proceeds help Wake County families start anew after recovering from homelessness, crisis, or disaster.  

10 Years Doing Good Together!
Help One Now - 10 Years of Doing Good
 
Help One Now , is celebrating 10 years of coming alongside children and families in developing countries.   With the goal of ending extreme poverty through empowerment, they will be launching their Family Empowerment Day on May 7.   Click here  to learn more about how you can support Family Empowerment around the world.


National Foster Care Month
May

May is National Foster Care Month, and a great time to learn more about the Methodist Home for Children   which, in addition to other work, comes alongside children and families in our state's foster care system, and provides training and support for those who want to become licensed foster care parents.  We love partnering with this amazing ministry!


Spend Time with Adults & Kids at the
Raleigh Rescue Mission 
May 26, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., Raleigh Rescue Mission

Edenton Street partners with the Rescue Mission and Vintage Church on the 4th Monday of the month, spending time in devotion and small groups with adults and children.  If you are interested in checking out either of these monthly opportunities,  email Renae. 
 

Dig into Alliance's Community Garden
 
Alliance Medical Ministry's community g arden is open on second Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and the 4th Wednesdays of the month from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.  Drop in (101 Donald Ross Drive, Raleigh) or  RSVP with  Jesse Crouch, Garden Director.    Kiddos welcome.  

Take a ZOE Trip of Hope to Liberia
October 8 - 16 

Want 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 and vulnerable children to care for themselves and their siblings. While there, you'll meet our two Edenton Street sponsored orphan empowerment groups, which consist of nearly 200 children. Come experience, and be challenged by, the expressions of faith and discipleship evident in the lives of these young people.  If you want to join the October trip,  email Elena to learn more.   


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, 5:30-7:00 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 struggling child at Conn Elementary (during the school day).  Email Amy

Tutor with Neighbor to Neighbor
Work one-on-one with a child for an hour once a week.   Learn more.
 
Hurricane Florence Disaster Response
Weekend day trips to help our NC neighbors recover from Hurricane Florence damage.   Email Suzanne
 
Raleigh Rescue Mission 
4th Sunday, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., worship and spend time in small groups with Raleigh Rescue Mission guests.  Email Renae. 


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.  2019 dates: 8/11 - 18 & 11/3 - 10

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 sites who live life together and serve in our community on a monthly basis.  Email Ashley to connect with one of these amazing groups.