Nurturing the Congregation

Our congregation, like any organization, does not run automatically by itself.  It takes time and effort by many people to maintain it, and to help it and all of us as individuals to grow and become all that God would dream for us to be.

Those who invest the time, effort and resources to nurture the Englewood United Methodist Church congregation, its member and friends are almost exclusively volunteers.  Serving each other in this way not only helps the congregation to function effectively, but also helps each of us to grow closer to God and to each other -- and to grow spiritually, emotionally and experientially -- through such service.

We invite you to join us in helping to nurture the congregation.  The ways in which you could help are limited only by your imagination, and include all aspects of our life together.  Some obvious (and non-exclusive) examples might include:

•     Helping to prepare for or lead worship, as by preparing communion elements, preparing or playing/projecting video or audio elements, or reading Scripture or other leadership in worship itself.

•     Helping to provide music for worship and otherwise, as by singing in a choir or group or solo, playing a musical instrument,  or helping lead or support our musical groups.

•     Participating in, helping to lead, or supporting in other ways a Sunday School class or Learning Group.

•     Participating in, helping to lead, or supporting in other ways a Small Covenant Group.

•     Participating in, helping to lead, or supporting in other ways a Youth Group.

•     Participating in, helping to lead, or supporting in other ways Boy Scout Troop 246 or Cub Scout Pack 246.

•     Participating in, helping to lead, or supporting in other ways our various fellowship activities.

•     Serving on one or more of the committees or groups through which our Englewood United Methodist Church congregation functions.

•     Helping with the many necessary (and often mundane) administrative tasks.

•     Helping to maintain and update this website.

Serving All God's People

Although inviting and nurturing members and friends of the congregation into closer relationship with God and each other through Jesus Christ is an important part of our Christian growth and development, service to others without regard to personal or group self-interest is a hallmark of our Christian identity.  Our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ is defined and measured in part by how well we serve the last, the lost, and the least within our reach.

In The United Methodist Church we do some of our mission service collectively, by gathering donations by individuals and apportioned giving by congregations at the District, Annual Conference, and General (national) level, to support mission organizations at those levels.  For example UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) is often one of the first providers of relief in the event of disasters, such as the earthquakes in Turkey within the last year, hunger relief in Africa, and relief for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

On a District level, the United Methodist churches in the Dayton area have for years joined together in what is now called the Miami Valley United Methodist Mission Society (also known as United Methodist Community Care) to operate local mission sites, education programs, food and clothing pantries, and the like.

At Englewood United Methodist Church, we understand service to others through such Missions and Outreach is a primary foundation for conveying the Good News of Jesus Christ in our community and around the world.  Missions and Outreach are an important way for us to witness to the reality of God's goodness in our lives as we share in the needs of others.  Our Missions and Outreach are a vital link between our congregation (and each of us as individuals) and the needs of the world, and of participating in God's care for the brokenness of the world.

We encourage each of our children, youth and adults actively and regularly to support and participate in various Missions and Outreach opportunities through their prayers, their presence, their gifts, and their service.  We encourage this support both through offerings and service through the congregation, and in addition by individual direct gifts and participation.  Some of the opportunities for Mission and Outreach service at Englewood United Methodist Church include:

•     The Mug Dump.  You are encouraged to collect your loose change in a mug on a daily basis.  On the last Sunday of the month we dump our mugs during worship, with the proceeds used to support Mission and Outreach needs as they arise. 

•     EUMC Food Pantry.  We maintain a pantry to provide food, food gift certificates, and bus passes to those in the Englewood community having an emergency need.

•     FISH Food Pantry.  We provide food donations and other support to this community food pantry.

•     After-School Tutoring.  Help students at Englewood Elementary school with homework, learning, or just by listening.

•     Breakfast at St. Paul's.  Help serve breakfast to homeless and truly indigent persons on a Saturday morning at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in East Dayton.  This is a collective ministry of Dayton-area United Methodist churches.

•     Adopt-a-Patient.  Visit and be a friend to a patient at Englewood Manor Nursing Home.

•     Adopt-a-Family.  Adopt one or more families at Christmas, to provide for their special needs for food, clothing, gifts and other support.

•     ECHO Project.  Provide books and toiletries to displaced foster children through this project.

•     Bibles and Blankets.  At Christmas and Easter, purchase a Bible or blanket for distribution where needed, in lieu of the more usual gift of flowers for worship.  Obviously, you can provide Bibles and blankets in this way at any time.

•     Habitat House.  As individuals and as a congregation, we have supported the building of housing by Habitat for Humanity in the Englewood/Dayton area.  You are invited to join in this crucial ministry.  Habitat for Humanity International is a world-wide ecumenical ministry providing affordable housing to those in need.

•     Vacation Bible School.  What better way for children to learn about Jesus and develop their faith while having lots of fun?  In addition to helping with planning and operating Vacation Bible School, you can support this ministry by providing materials, donations, or helping with Vacation Bible School missions projects.

•     Greeting Card Ministry.  Send cards of greeting, introduction, support, sympathy, etc. to persons within and without the congregation.  (Yes, this is also congregational nurture.)

•     Christmas Caroling.  Join in caroling those who are homebound, in institutions or their own homes.  A great voice is not required -- just a joyful heart.  The psalm says simply "make a joyful noise," but nothing about grand professional harmony.

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Last modified: 05/01/06