Ministry Action Plan
for UUMC Unveiled
A comprehensive plan for
ministry and action was presented to the congregation after church on
Sunday, November 1. A Design Team has been working on the plan for the
past six months. The Church Council approved it as “a work in progress,”
recognizing that any projections for the future will need to be
adjusted.
The Vision Statement remains
the same: Jesus request, “Feed My People: Body, Mind and Spirit,”
echoing Jesus’ instructions to Peter in John 21. The broader statement
describes us at UUMC as “a living, teaching, diverse Christian community
for all persons…”
Our mission is to be the
“hands and spirit of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our
neighborhood, our city, our world and ourselves.”
Six goals lay out new ventures for
UUMC, as well as continuing effective current ministries. New ventures
include:
-
Becoming an “Urban
Training Center” where persons can learn how to minister and serve
in the urban culture; a relationship with a seminary for students to
intern at UUMC.
-
Becoming a “Teaching
Church” to provide opportunities for learning to members of UUMC and
the community.
Increasing membership by
initiating invitations to 18-35 year-olds and their children;
creating programs for children and parents; joining the UMC’s
national advertising campaign of invitation.
Continuing to work on the
mitigation of poverty by actively participating in the “Circles”
program to help individuals move out of poverty.
Creating a new worship
experience different in style from our existing service to meet the
worship needs of other population groups.
Other goals deal with
bringing financial stability to the church; worship that is “relevant
and spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually stimulating; continuing
our neighborhood ministries of the Breakfasts and Pantry; challenge our
members to consider their legacy through contributions to our endowment.
If you are interested in
helping to initiate and implement a ministry, contact Ted Finlayson-Schueler,
chair of the Church Council; Lynn Steenberg, chair of the Business
Administration Committee; Craig French, pastor, or any member of the
Design Team: Vito Sciscioli, Don Koten, Jeanne Finlayson-Schueler, Beth
Drew, Ellen Bacon, Stephanie Threatte, Dan Magowan, Deb Virgo or Nelson
Price.
A copy of the plan is
available through the
church office. Congregation members
may pick up a copy or have one mailed.
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Knitters: Special Request
Knitters! There is a request
from our Outreach Program for baby and small child sized hats. There are
patterns and yarns available in the gathering room (a.k.a. the parlor).
SOme new cute patternd are available. Hats can be dropped off at the church office during the week or in the
Gathering Room on Sunday. Thanks, everybody!
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GoodSearch Good for UUMC
If you use the Internet for
information searches or shopping, you could be raising money for UUMC in
the process. GoodSearch.com, a Yahoo-powered search engine, donates half
its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its
users designate. You use it exactly the way you would Google or any
other search engine, and because the funds generated come from
GoodSearch advertisers, it doesn’t cost the designated charity a thing.
GoodSearch sister site
GoodShop.com, an online shopping mall, donates an average of 3 percent
(but up to 20 percent) of each sale to your selected charity. More than
900 Internet retailers—including Amazon.com, eBay, and Target—
participate with GoodShop.com, at no additional cost either to you or to
your charity.
Here’s how it works: When you
want to search the Internet, go to
www.goodsearch.com. In the “Who do you GoodSearch for” box,
designate University United Methodist Church. (Note: Because several
UUMC’s from other cities also participate in GoodSearch, you’ll be asked
to select the appropriate one from a pop-up list.) Access GoodShop.com
either via the GoodSearch site or by going directly to
www.goodshop.com. Again, designate
UUMC in the “Who do you GoodSearch for” box. Then click through to the
merchant’s site.
For more information, go to
www.goodsearch.com and click on
Frequently Asked Questions.
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Current Pantry Needs
Here are items that our pantry clients are in need of at this
time: Men's clothing, washcloths, blankets, and girl's clothing in
large sizes. Non-perishable food donations are always welcome as well as
monetary donations. If you know of any fresh fruits or vegetables or other perishables in
bulk that can be donated to our pantry, please call our Outreach
Coordinator, Joseph Smythe, at 315/472-1715.
All items can be dropped off in the church
office during office hours or on the front, side pews in the sanctuary
before worship on Sunday.
Learn more about our
Outreach Office
and Food Pantry.
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