In 2011, Manchester UMC pledged to focus our missional involvement and strengthen our relationships with four core mission initiatives: The Bridge, Epworth Children & Family Ministries, Kingdom House, and Shalom House. These four St. Louis-based United Methodist Agencies are making a difference in the lives of thousands of people, and with our support can continue to strengthen and grow their ministries.
We are excited to announce the following goals for each of our Core Initiatives for 2011-2012. Over the course of the next year, Manchester UMC will be focusing our church-wide missional efforts in the following areas in each of our Core Initiatives, making a significant difference in the lives of others.
Founded in 1864 as a mission agency of The United Methodist Church, Epworth Children and Family Services opened its doors to Civil War orphans and has been dedicated to the well-being of children ever since. Today Epworth provides services to foster care kids, homeless and runaway youth, families in crisis, and special needs students. http://www.epworth.org
Goals:
- Sponsor Staff & Teacher Appreciation opportunities/events/gifts at least four times a year.
- At least four times a year, provide volunteers to cook and eat holiday/special meals with the residents of the transitional housing unit.
- Provide toiletry kits for the emergency shelter (and other areas) throughout the year. These could be prepared and assembled at MUMC and transported to Epworth, or prepared in the Epworth administrative facilities.
Located at Centenary UMC, the Bridge provides sanctuary for homeless and at-risk persons in St. Louis. Meals and support services for basic human needs are offered by a staff intent on eradicating homelessness, by guiding guests on a path to self-sufficiency. http://www.bridgestl.org
GOALS:
- Provide special meals for guests at least four times a year. In addition to the food, there will be opportunities for interaction between guests and MUMC members, through movie nights and other special events/themed activities tied into the meal.
- Increase small group and individual involvement in the ministries of The Bridge through work days, serving meals, and interacting with the guests.
- With the leadership of The Bridge staff, we will establish and sponsor a Free Store for guests that provides clothing and personal care items free-of-charge in a store-type atmosphere.
Founded in 1968, Shalom House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves women who are homeless and/or chronically homeless. Through a multidisciplinary team, Shalom House provides a temporary home and life changing support that enables women to address the root causes of their homelessness in order to acquire and maintain permanent housing. http://www.shalomhousestl.org
Goals
- With the staff of Shalom House, establish and sponsor a Permanent Supportive Housing program.
- While the exact details of this ministry are still emerging, it would most likely involve the purchase, renovation, and continual upkeep of a housing unit near Shalom House, as well as the continual supportive interaction between MUMC members and Shalom House clients.
- Create and sponsor an Extreme Makeover Ministry that would assist recent/emerging Shalom House graduates in securing items for their new apartments (shopping for furniture with them, providing essential items as needed) and decorating their new apartments.
- Increase the connection between MUMC ministries and Shalom House through:
- Drama Ministry (Help write a new Shalom House drama with the residents and perform drama at worship and/or M&M dinner)
- Invite Shalom House clients to volunteer at MUMC events (Apple Butter Days, Faith in Action Sunday, etc.)
- Trunk or Treat (Clients can make costumes along with MUMC volunteers (at SH). Drive the MUMC van to Shalom House and have the SH clients decorate it. Hand out candy at Trunk or Treat from the decorated van).
- MUMC Prayer Shawl Ministry, Quilting groups, Scrapbooking groups, and others – teach how to make these items with clients.
- Providing transportation and free tickets to MUMC music concerts and other special events
Kingdom House provides excellent, spiritual-based social services to meet community needs. United Way-funded and United Methodist Church-affiliated, they are a social service agency which has been serving residents of the Near Southside of St. Louis since 1902, helping people achieve better lives. http://www.kingdomhouse.org
Goals
- In conjunction with Manchester UMC’s Gifts in White Sunday, MUMC volunteers will deliver the gifts directly to Kingdom House, distribute/stock the gifts in the Christmas Shop, provide a meal for Kingdom House clients and volunteers, and lead a community worship service. (As a part of this, Manchester UMC will increase its volunteer involvement in the Kingdom House Christmas Shop.)
- Help renovate the Thrift Shop and provide volunteers to staff the Thrift Shop throughout the week.
- Continue to increase the connection between Manchester UMC’s evening Vacation Bible School and Kingdom House.
- Help create a Kingdom House Kids’ Choir and Drama Program, in relationship/conjunction with MUMC’s children’s choir and drama ministries.
- Create a partnership between Kingdom House’s DayCare and MUMC’s Circle of Friends Preschool.
- Provide opportunities for MUMC adult small groups (Bible studies, exercise classes, etc.) to take place at Kingdom House.
- Explore the possibilities of MUMC Youth Ministries combining with Kingdom House in mission trips, activities, etc.
