The members of the Grandville United Methodist Church have opened their doors to a variety of mission and outreach opportunities in Grand Rapids, throughout Michigan, and into the world.

IN GRAND RAPIDS
Michigan Community Blood Bank, Mondays and Thursdays, on the lower level	SECOM is proud to announce the newest arrival to their outreach ministry, INFANT/BABY PANTRY PROGRAM Serving the nutritional and personal care needs of low income families with children 24 months and under. Here’s a list of needs, formula (all types), diapers (all sizes), baby wipes, baby shampoo/soap, washcloths, baby food & cereal, bottles, & sippe cups, diaper bags, bibs & feeding spoons, etc. digital thermometers, baby toothbrush/nail clippers, waterproof pads for diaper changes, baby board books, baby clothes (newborn to 2T). You can include these items with your food pantry gifts. **Remember, the grocery carts are available at both the back entrance and on the Narthex level.
Poptabs, Campbell's labels, and Spartan UPC symbols for United Methodist Community House a ministry of the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries	Collection of food and pantry goods for South End Community Outreach Ministries (SECOM) 1545 Buchanan Avenue SW Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Work Camps at United Methodist Camp Grounds in the both the West Michigan and Detroit Annual Conferences Camp Michigame and Crystal Springs
STAYING CONNECTED WITH THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH! Staying Connected and Supporting Shared Ministry in West Michigan. We all benefit from it, whether directly or indirectly, and we know that our shared ministry benefits others as well. But many of us take for granted the ministries that support our churches and reach out into the world right here in West Michigan . Because our United Methodist “method” recognizes that there are many things that we can do much more effectively together (rather than each church “going it alone,”) we pool our resources in four key areas of ministry so that all can benefit, including those we are called to reach beyond our own walls. First, we work together in what we call “Connectional Ministries,” providing regional support and leadership to churches through districts, ensuring careful review and support of a faithful clergy, and providing minimum pastoral support for churches going through difficult times. Secondly, we share in ministries that provide resources, training and support for ministry as well as reaching those who might not otherwise be reached with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Examples include campus ministry, camping, community outreach ministries, youth ministry, training events, communications ministry (like this newsletter and the CENTERpiece) and consulting services for local churches. Thirdly, recognizing that healthy communities of faith are always planting new seeds of ministry, we support the development of new churches. And finally, we exercise faithful stewardship in our fiscal and legal responsibilities and provide for appropriate oversight of our ministry within the Conference. Together, we connect, resource, reach out, and provide appropriate administrative oversight for our ministry together. Everyone participates, and everyone benefits, because we are “Each Alive in Christ, All Connected in Mission.”
Here’s a note from our Prayer Shawl Ministry In June G U M C received a request from the Bishops' Katrina Church Recovery Appeal Program for a donation of 200 prayers shawls to be given to volunteers that  responded to needs at the time of the Katrina Hurricane We decided to donate 12.  They were mailed on July 6th. We enclosed the following prayer with each shawl I hope you will remember today that God is there, Giving you His love and care. He's l ending you His strength, Sending many blessings your way, And giving you the gift of a bright new day. Thank you for all your hard work and God bless you.  On the envelope we wrote   "A Gift for you", signed U M W on the inside.   We recently received this note of thanks, Thank you for responding to the call for the prayer shawls for the Bishops' Katrina Church Recovery Appeal volunteer celebration Sept 6 and 7 in New Orleans.   The response has been phenomenal.   Extra shawls will be sent to the Gulf Coast bishops to share with future volunteers and for those needing comfort. Thanks to each here at G U M C for their contribution of shawls, money, time, prayers and love.
UMCOR responds to the Peru Earthquake The Wednesday (Aug. 15) earthquake that hit the coastal areas of western Peru has killed at least 450 people, and the death toll is expected to rise. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) invites response through the use of the Advance Special number for International Disaster Response #982450. You can help with the Disaster Response by sharing in this effort. Checks can be made out to Grandville UMC with the memo line, International Disaster Response #982450, Peru 2007.
Third Sunday Hunger Offrings Remember, the Third Sunday of the Month, Grandville United Methodist Church receives a Hunger Offering. Funds from this offering are sent to UMCOR unless you mark your giving envelope for a designated donation such as SECOM. You can use the Hunger Offering Envelope included in your Giving Envelopes, or mark your weekly giving envelope with your hunger offerings.
HUNGER WALK FINAL TOTALS Congratulations on a job well done! #1 First United Methodist Church (downtown) with a grand total of $7,830.00 #2, St. Luke’s Lutheran with a total of $7,404.00 #3 GUMC with a total of $7,372.46. Many thanks to our walkers, recruiters, and those who pledged. The real winners were “God’s People in Need”.
A HOME FOR KESHA. . . The spirit of serving others is certainly reflected in our response to sponsoring a home build.
Newspaper Recycling SECOM can turn your trash into money. To help SECOM, all you have to do is bring your recyclable paper to SECOM and put it in the dumpster (look for the PAPERGAOTR). They’ll take; newspapers, magazines, catalogs phone books, paper bags, office and school supplies and mail. Things that cannot go in the PAPERGATOR include; corrugated or heavy brown cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, wood or garbage.
Give Alternative Gifts Have you run out of gift ideas for the person or people who seem to have everything? The Mission Committee has an idea for you. Heifer International! Give a gift that keeps on giving, the gift of Ending World Hunger and Saving the Earth. Heifer International is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger and saving the earth by providing livestock, trees, training and other resources to help poor families around the globe become self-reliant. It’s easy to do, and you can do your shopping in one easy move. AND, you get a great gift card to give to your receiver! Stop by the table in the Narthex and check out HEIFER INTERNATIONAL!
Send a net—Save a Life! $10.00 is the cost of an anti-malaria bed net. Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Sports Illustrated columnist, Rick Reilly, challenged his readers to donate $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed net, and thousands of people have joined the campaign. The people of The United Methodist Church, along with Sports Illustrated, NBA Cares, the United Nations Foundation and several other groups are raising funds to purchase bed nets to end malaria.
Grand Rapids District VIM Team to Haiti February 14-22, 2008 is the scheduled date for the third Grand Rapids District UM-VIM team to go to Baudin Agricultural Training School. The district began work at Baudin in 2004 and during the last three years, the school, located near Cap Haitian, Haiti has had remarkable progress. A new roof was installed over the dormitory building, the buildings interior was painted, beds refurbished and mattress" purchased for the dormitory area and the district has provided a 70% tuition scholarship for the students. Most remarkable is this school had been closed until the Grand Rapids team began work at the training school. Now the school's fields are producing vegetables and fruits on land that was barren for years. The food that is grown at the school is shared with four Methodist elementary schools in the area. The 2008 team will be working to provide irrigation to the fields with the repairing of a well and providing a new pump and irrigation system. Presently the students daily carry 5 gallon pails of water to the fields to water the crops. The irrigation system will be made possible through a UMCOR grant and additional funds from the Grand Rapids District Board of Missions. The annual $5,000 grant has been a major support factor in helping the school to reopen and begin a sustainable income from produce raised and sold in local markets. Located on the mission compound area is a Methodist elementary school with nearly 350 students, the Methodist Church, and a small village of about 25 homes. The continued support of the Grand Rapids District has also been a blessing for these local farmers who now share in raising crops at Baudin. For information regarding the 2008 VIM trip to Haiti please contact R. Paul Doherty (616) 874-8095. Donations for project support can be forwarded to the West Michigan Conference Treasurers' Office to the attention of the Grand Rapids Baudin Task Force.

Grandville United Methodist Church

3140 S. Wilson SW

Grandville, MI 49418

(616) 538-3070

Extensions:
Secretary 100
Pastor 101
Director of Christian Ed 102
Organist/Music Director 103
Treasurer 104
3140swilson@sbcglobal.net