Harmony United Methodist Church
Weekly Newsletter
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Here are the latest opportunities to strengthen
your faith and connect with the community.
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We continue our LIVE STREAM worship services this Sunday, January 17th at 10:00am. Comments and prayers are welcome during the service. You can also watch anytime after the service at your convenience. We look forward to having you join us!
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We invite you to read the following message from Bishop Sharma Lewis to the Virginia Conference Clergy here.
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UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS:
Snowman building
DATE: NEXT SNOWFALL
Keep an eye on the weather forecast and if we get snow, you'll get an email from me with all the details.
Resurrection 2021: A one-night virtual worship experience - Saturday, January 23, 2021 7-9pm
Resurrection is an incredible annual event of worship and spiritual growth for thousands of youth and youth leaders. Over the past 37 years, young people have made commitments to living a life of faith, going deeper in their faith life and accepting a call to ministry. For so many, Resurrection is a mountaintop experience that continues far beyond the weekend event. We invite you to join us and experience the life-changing power of Jesus! 2021 will be a little different than what we are used to, but we know God is doing great things through Virtual Rez!
The link to view Resurrection will be sent out on Saturday, January 23rd. Watch your email or the Harmony UMC Youth Group facebook page.
Cookie Baking
Sunday, January 31, 2021 4 – 5:30pm
We will gather via zoom to bake some of our favorite cookies together. I know we have several excellent bakers in our group so please LET ME KNOW if you would like to share your favorite recipe and walk our group through the steps to prepare it. I need to know the recipes by January 17th. An ingredient list will be sent out one week prior so you have time to gather the needed items.
So far, we’ll be making:
Snickerdoodles with the Gaucher family
No-bake oatmeal cookies with Ms. Ashley
We hope to resume the following schedule soon so please stay tuned!
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Robin is in the church office on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 9am to 3pm if you need assistance.
We are still offering different methods for continuing your weekly/monthly givings if you are able:
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Visit our website and access our online payment option: Online Giving
- Login to your Realm account and make a one time payment or set up recurring payments
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Ask Robin to set you up with direct debit: Direct Debit Form
- Mail a check to 380 E. Colonial Hwy, Hamilton, VA 20158
- Use the drop box outside the breezeway doors. The dropbox is secure and will be checked daily
- Bring it to the church office during temporary office hours noted above.
Thank you for your continued support during this time. And if you are in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out by phone, 540-338-2937 or email, rgood@harmonyva.org or dlucas@harmonyva.org.
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HOW HARMONY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE |
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Thank you notes were received from Hamilton/Lincoln Elementary Schools, Harmony Middle School, Blue Ridge Middle School, and Loudoun Valley High School. They all expressed their sincere appreciation for our donations of gift cards for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. With the increase in food insecurities, they couldn’t thank us enough for helping the many families in our community. |
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The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue, along with Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association, have partnered with One Warm Coat to benefit Mobile Hope Loudoun. In addition, Loudoun Soccer has joined them in this collection. They’re collecting “gently used” coats, hats, gloves, and scarves.
This is a great opportunity for our church! For those of us who would like to donate to this drive, Missions has set up a collection table in Driscoll Hall for donations. Missions will gladly deliver our church donations to one of the specified drop off locations. If you have something you would like to donate, please drop your items off at the church on either Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9:00-3:00 by January 27th. We will also be posting this collection on our Harmony UMC and the Western Loudoun Facebook pages to invite the community to donate and we ask that you please share with your family and neighbors too!
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ONLY TWO DATES REMAIN: 3/24 AND 3/31
*IMPORTANT* - EFFECTIVE 12/2 — TWO CHANGES:
- NUMBER OF ADULTS BEING SERVED - “15”
- FRUIT AND COLD/HOT CEREALS ARE NOT NEEDED
We’re excited to share the following with you regarding meal services for the
Loudoun Cold Weather Shelter (CWS). There’s a significant change for us this year - we will be providing BREAKFAST for 15 adults. Delivery will continue to be on Wednesday evenings for breakfast the next morning. The following is provided which explains everything in detail and provides a link to sign up for providing a meal.
LOUDOUN HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER
COLD WEATHER SHELTER
Harmony UMC is proud to support the Loudoun Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) by providing a hot meal for up to 15 adults each Wednesday night from 11/15/20 through 3/31/21. Due to COVID, meal services have slightly changed for this year. Our support is for the homeless single adults (ages 18 and older) who come to the shelter for an overnight stay during winter months and we will be providing BREAKFAST. Drop off will continue to be Wednesday evenings no later than 7:00pm and the breakfast meal will be for the next morning. The meals should be prepared or store bought and pre-cooked as necessary so the shelter helpers only need to warm up or toast the next morning. We have been asked to label our meals with the following information: “CWS from HUMC”, the date the breakfast is provided for (which will be the next morning), and heating instructions unless the package itself provides the instructions. Bring food in disposable containers.
The shelter is managed by Volunteers of America Chesapeake and is located off Sycolin Road near the airport. The address for food delivery is: 19520 Meadowview Court, Leesburg, VA 20175. If you would like to help with this ministry but have reservations about going into the shelter due to COVID, the shelter staff is more than happy to assist. Once you arrive in the parking lot, call 703-771-5429 and staff employees will come out to assist.
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Many who come to the shelter have dental concerns. We have been asked to consider this with the types of food we provide. For example, instead of apples, please consider fruit cups as an alternative.
- Examples of breakfast items: muffins, hard boiled eggs, pancakes, waffles, sausage, breakfast casseroles, biscuits and gravy, fruit cups, scrambled eggs, English muffins, etc.
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No hot/cold cereals or fruit please. The CWS has “lots” due to low attendance.
What a wonderful mission opportunity!! Let’s get others involved. Invite family members and neighbors to join you in providing a meal. If you have any questions, contact Roxanne Tipton at tipton04@aol.com or call her at 540-454-4654. Information regarding Volunteers of America-Chesapeake and the Loudoun Homeless Services Center/CWS can be found at: www.voachesapeake.org/lcws.
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UPDATE: All of the dates have been taken!!!
THANK YOU!
We want to thank you all for the response we’ve had to stocking our little food pantry. The pantry continues to be used often by community members. Given the weather and circumstances, the pantry may need to be stocked more than once during the week you are covering. Shelf stable items are best and again, these are meant to be items to tide folks over until they can get to a larger food pantry. Thank you for your help. Below is the link for the sign-up genius for those who have signed up so you can check your date.
The Missions Committee
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UPDATED:
Missions has been posting information to our Harmony Church Facebook page as a communication platform to keep our church family informed and engaged. Realizing not everyone utilizes Facebook, we are sharing this information through our church newsletter as well, and it will also be posted on Harmony’s website (www.harmonyva.org). Visit our “Serve” page on Harmony’s website for information on food resources, volunteer/donation opportunities, or for information for those needing assistance during this difficult time: https://harmonyva.org/missions/ Missions will continue to provide updates to each of these communication platforms as a source of information for everyone.
Every one of these organizations are in this for the long haul. They’ve planned for the worst, hoped for the best, and we’ve all prayed continuously.
Residents Urged to Apply Now For Utility - The income eligibility requirements have been removed for utility payment assistance available to Loudoun County residents who have experienced economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional specific information, visit: https://www.purcellvilleva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=2243
Loudoun Utility Assistance
Salvation Army:
Tree of Life:
Tree of Life Ministries is available during this challenging time. They provide food deliveries, food to-go meals, and a food pantry. Contact and email information is listed at http://tolministries.org/food-purcellville.html as well as information about volunteering and donations.
Mobile Hope:
Loudoun Hunger Relief (LHR):
LHR continues to work urgently to make sure that they are able to serve everyone who comes to them for food. Visit https://www.loudounhunger.org/ to see opportunities for donating time, food, money.
Society of St. Andrew (SoSA):
SoSA's mission statement is simple: to bring people together to harvest and share healthy food, reduce food waste, and build caring communities by offering nourishment to neighbors. Visit https://endhunger.org/ for the opportunity to donate.
Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS):
LAWS' commitment to provide free and confidential services for anyone who has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse. If anyone is aware of anyone in need, share with them the LAWS' HOTLINE number 703-777-6552. For opportunities to donate to this important community resource, visit https://www.lcsj.org/donate-to-laws/
Loudoun County Public Schools:
The “free” meal services offered by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) will continue through December 31, 2020 and will now include weekend meals. Free breakfast and lunch for ALL CHILDREN and teens aged 18 and under are available. To view the full article visit, https://tinyurl.com/yywqrzpf
COVID-19: Loudoun County's Response:
Loudoun Sheriff’s Office Prescription Pick-up and Delivery Service:
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WE ARE STILL COLLECTING FOR THIS FUND
The fund continues to be available should anyone wish to donate. We thank everyone for the donations received thus far.
The COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to offer a church-wide opportunity to contribute to providing much needed support and aid. We’ve received generous donations and thus far, have donated to several community organizations (listed below). We hope to be able to make additional donations to other organizations that are also working desperately hard to help families most affected and in need. Although we’ve now entered Phase 3, times are still very uncertain, scary, and difficult, meaning our love and support continues to be needed. We will continue to receive donations through this fundraising effort for as long as the need exists. If you are able and would like to donate to this fund, donations may be made through your personal Realm church account or by making a check payable to Harmony UMC. Please write “COVID-19 Relief Fund” on the memo line. Your check may be put into the Harmony Drop Box outside the breezeway door entrance or mailed to Harmony UMC, 380 E. Colonial H’way, Hamilton, VA. 20158. Our Loudoun Network of Providers could not do all they are doing without our support. Food is love and brings relief and hope to struggling families. These are extraordinary times which are ongoing so our continuing donations are very much needed.
Blessings to all and continued prayers for good health and safety,
The Mission Committee
Additional information about this fund is provided in the attached brochure and there are links in the brochure you can access
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Bishop: Sharma Lewis
District Superintendent: Rev. Steven Summers
Barbara Jennings, Choir Director, bjenncwo@aol.com
380 E. Colonial Hwy
Hamilton, VA 20158
540-338-2937
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