Showers of Blessing

As many of you know, FUMC has been providing weekly showers each Wednesday and a light snack to homeless/displaced people in St. Charles since September 2007. This ministry has been a blessing to those who come each week. Most not only come for a shower, but for fellowship with the “regulars”. The majority of these folks are men with no resources in St. Charles County for temporary housing. Most end up on the streets, sleeping under bridges or wherever they can find shelter.

FUMC’s Showers of Blessing is filling a small gap in the lives of these folks, not only with showers but light food and basic clothing needs. While the congregation has been generous in providing supplies in the past, the ministry’s resources are now getting low and need to be replenished. Below are some of the ways you can help.

If you wish to make a cash donation, please make your checks to FUMC and designate on your envelope that the funds are for Showers of Blessing.

Should you wish to directly purchase supplies, the following are immediate needs: travel size toothpaste, disposable razors, deodorant (spray or solid), white/grey sports socks (tall tops), white t-shirts/undershirts (medium and large sizes), underwear (boxer style: small, medium, and large).

Additionally, sandwiches or cookies that can easily be frozen are greatly appreciated. Contributions of food items should be labeled for Showers of Blessing and placed in advance in the church’s freezer. Sandwiches (please label the contents) should be cut in half and individually wrapped for easy distribution. Unless they are freshly made and brought in on the day to be served (Wednesday), tuna fish, egg salad, peanut butter/jelly sandwiches, etc. do not freeze well.

This request is for contributions above and beyond your regular tithes and offerings. We thank you for your on-going support of our church’s programs and ministries. But we want to let you now about this special need for Showers of Blessings. Once again, thank you for your generosity and ongoing support of this ministry.

Name the Win

Church Council established a new tradition in 2007 to Name the Win before closing the meeting. A Win is an area where we are meeting our churchwide goals and expanding our mission. In an effort to improve communication about the things that are occurring at FUMC, we will begin to report each month on the Wins announced in the Council meeting. Below are some Wins that were previously announced.

February – 1,066 items were collected for Food Pantry Sunday; the New Town Courier and Journal featured an article on the FUMC Preschool.

April – the parlor is being refurbished with endowed funds; SAM has started making brown bag lunches for Labor Ready.

May – Fish food drive was very successful; Kidz Blitz is being sponsored by Education, Evangelism, and Missions; Confirmation class had 13 members.

June – Communication Survey has been established and in progress; P.E.T. Project collected $4,000, which is enough to purchase 16 P.E.T.s; the Spire is available via email; 150 enrolled for VBS; the Choir sang at Annual Conference.

The ongoing reports will be brief and will occur each month that the Council meets. You can see that the efforts of many individuals produces great results for the church.

Kidz Blitz Back to School Extravaganza - August 16!

1:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Lunch and Games.
4:00 p.m.: Power Lab Warm-Up
4:30 p.m.: Kidz Blitz! Live

Kidz Blitz! Live is an event like no other! We are so excited to bring this high-octane family event to our community! It’s fast paced, high-energy, and feels like being at the Super Bowl! Kids and parents alike will enjoy the interaction and humor while coming away with an uplifting sense of God's love and power. What a way to follow up God's power that was experienced at our Power Lab Vacation Bible School!

We are looking for volunteers 21 years or older to make sure that this show is a rousing success. Volunteers must be available for training at 3:00 p.m. on August 16. Childcare will be provided.

We are looking for: 2 front ushers, 1 scorekeeper, 8 registration and product table attendants, 2 male stage managers, and 1 male tornado operator.

Volunteer opportunities that are not age/gender restricted are: lunch preparers, 10 game attendants, back-to-school supply kits assemblers, set-up/clean-up crew, and youth car painters for August 10.

If you are interested, please contact Dawn Orndorff at the church office at 947-0066 or e-mail her. Help bring the power of God's love to our community!