Season of Giving

God has given us the greatest gift of all, let's give back with actions of faith this Season of Giving!

From Sunday, Nov. 20 – Sunday, Dec. 25, the Missions Team launched a Season of Giving, The Manchester UMC congregation provided much needed support to three of our vital outside ministries – LifeWise StL, Bridge Bread and Epworth Children & Family Services.

Starting Nov. 20, each Sunday morning in the lobby, there was a large Giving Tree which served as a constant reminder of the Season of Giving and our pledge to faithfully participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. By Christmas Day, the Giving Tree was completely covered with ornaments, not as a matter of pride, but to show the impact on the many lives lifted in dignity and grace by these acts of faith.

Each Sunday during Advent, there were representatives from these agencies at the Missions kiosk in the lobby. The Manchester UMC community was able to learn about what these agencies do, whom these agencies serve and see the specific needs. Individuals were able to put their faith into action in one or more of these ways:

  • Donate needed items
  • Donate to the Christmas Missions Offering which is through your above and beyond financial giving
  • Donate time by volunteering

God has given us the greatest gift of all, let’s give back with actions of faith this Season of Giving!

Donate Needed Items to Agencies

Ministry needs were printed on ornament shaped cards available at each table/kiosk. Individuals could select a card (or cards) representing the action(s) they would take.

  • Financial donation – instructions on what and how to donate.
  • Needed item – the card sescribed exactly what was needed so they could shop for that item and then bring it to the church.

Individuals could take the ornament card(s) with them as a reminder of their faith action commitment during the Advent season. Each ornament card taken represented an actual ornament added to the Giving Tree.

Bridge Bread
Gifts to Purchase Total Quantity
Needed
Pay a baker’s monthly electric bill = $100 donation 10
Pay a baker’s monthly gas bill = $75 donation 10
Pay a baker’s monthly water bill = $50 donation 10
Pay a baker’s monthly internet bill = $35 donation 10
Pay a for a baker’s monthly trash collection bill = $15 donation 10
Help a baker furnish their 1st apartment = $50 donation 10
Help a baker furnish their 1st apartment = $100 donation 10
Help a baker purchase furnishings for their 1st apartment = $200 10

If individuals wanted to purchase one of the Bridge Bread gifts, then they could click on the Bridge Bread button. In the memo line, they would indicate the specific baker’s gift preference, i.e., “Bridge Bread baker’s monthly electric bill for $100.”

 
Epworth Children & Family Services

The following items were greatly needed for the clients of Epworth Children & Family Services. Individuals could take one of the ornaments listed below from the Giving Tree, purchase the item, and bring the gift and ornament to the Missions Team kiosk on Sunday mornings during Advent. Gifts were NOT be wrapped.

Gift drop-off all gifts was by Wed., Dec. 14. If dropping off the gift at the main church office (Mon-Thurs, 9a-4p), individuals stated who the gift is from and agency the gift is going.

Gifts to Purchase
(Need to receive gifts by Dec. 14)
Total Quantity
Needed
Crocs, Vans, or Nike Tennis Shoes – adult male (Sz.7 thru 12)  15
Crocs, Vans, or Nike Tennis Shoes – adult female (Sz. 6 1/2 thru 9 1/2) 15
Eyeshadow makeup palette (ie. James Charles, Patrick Starr; etc.) 6
Decorative Throw Pillows for teen’s bed 10
Squishmallows stuffed animals 15
Video Games for PlayStation 10
Hoodies (Nike, Adidas, etc.) for teenage boys (Youth & Adult Sizes) 15
T-shirts (Nike, Adidas, etc.)  Youth and adult sizes 15
Amazon Gift Cards ($10, $20 or $25) 30
Car Seats   10
Headphones for teenage boy or girl 10
Newborn/Infant Sleepers 10
Newborn/Infant Onesies 10
Newborn/Infant Outfits for baby boy / girl 10
Newborn socks / booties  10
 

A group of volunteers from Manchester UMC made cookies and then took them to Epworth for the their clients to decorate…as well as eat!

Volunteer for Bridge Bread

Bridge Bread is sold in the lobby between Saturday evening and Sunday morning services at Manchester UMC.

Volunteers are needed to:

  • Pick up fresh-baked bread from the bakery on Saturday between 10a and noon, and deliver them to Manchester UMC between 3-3:45p on Saturdays.
  • Sell bread on Saturday evenings (3:15-5:15p) and/or Sunday mornings (8:30a to 12:15p) between worship services at Manchester UMC.
  • Volunteer at the Bridge Bread Bakeshop (2639 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118)
Volunteer at LifeWise StL and Epworth

For over 50 years, LifeWise StL has celebrated the spirit of the holiday season through our Holiday Market. Serving hundreds of families who have participated in programming over the past year, the Market offered low-cost, carefully curated NEW household and clothing items, as well as age-appropriate toys. 

A group of “Elves” from Manchester UMC spread a lot of holiday cheer during LifeWise StL’s Holiday Market December 7 & 8 by wrapping gifts!  Here are some of the “Elves” hard at work!

 

 


 

A group of volunteers from Manchester UMC made cookies and then took them to Epworth for the their clients to decorate…as well as eat!

LifeWise StL

The following items were greatly needed for the clients of LifeWise StL. Individuals could take one of the ornaments listed below from the Giving Tree, purchase the item, and bring the gift and ornament to the Missions Team kiosk on Sunday mornings during Advent. Gifts were NOT be wrapped.

All gifts need to be dropped off at MUMC by Mon., Dec. 5. If dropping off the gift at the main church office (Mon-Thurs, 9a-4p), individuals stated who the gift is from and agency the gift is going.

Gifts to Purchase
(Need to receive gifts by Dec. 5)
Total Quantity
Needed
Cookware sets (pots & pans) 8
Queen Sheet set 5
Queen Comforter set 5
Twin Bed Sheet Set 5
Vacuum Cleaner 5
Instant Pot 10
Boys Size Jeans 10
Boys Pajama set 10
Girls Pajama set 10
Nail polish set 10
Costume jewelry (necklaces, bracelets) 10
Watch for male or female 10
Sports equipment (ie. Basketball; football; etc)   10
Space Heaters 15
Dinosaur-themed toys or books      15
Wireless Headsets/earbuds 5
Bluetooth Speakers 5
Towel Sets 5
Zippered / Hooded sweatshirts (for Teens) 10
Perfume (Bath & Body) 5
Cologne (Axe) 5
Paint / Drawing / Art Supplies 5
Skateboards 2
Scooters 2
Educational Games 5
Electronics &/or Tablets for Teens 10
Rolls of Christmas Wrapping Paper 10
 

Donate to the Christmas Missions Offering

During the Season of Giving, above and beyond generosity were needed more than ever. 

Thanks to Manchester UMC’s above and beyond contributions to the Christmas Missions Offering, agencies in our community received financial support to continue serving those in our community.  Past beneficiaries of the Christmas Mission Offering include: Bridge Bread, Epworth Children and Families, HomeFirst, LifeWise StL, and Sneakers with Soul.

 

Donate Time by Volunteering

Spread the holiday cheer in person and be a helping hand by volunteering at these agencies!

Volunteer for Bridge Bread

Bridge Bread is sold in the lobby between Saturday evening and Sunday morning services at Manchester UMC.

Volunteers are needed to:

  • Pick up fresh-baked bread from the bakery on Saturday between 10a and noon, and deliver them to Manchester UMC between 3-3:45p on Saturdays.
  • Sell bread on Saturday evenings (3:15-5:15p) and/or Sunday mornings (8:30a to 12:15p) between worship services at Manchester UMC.
  • Volunteer at the Bridge Bread Bakeshop (2639 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118)
Volunteer at LifeWise StL and Epworth

For over 50 years, LifeWise StL has celebrated the spirit of the holiday season through our Holiday Market. Serving hundreds of families who have participated in programming over the past year, the Market offered low-cost, carefully curated NEW household and clothing items, as well as age-appropriate toys. 

A group of “Elves” from Manchester UMC spread a lot of holiday cheer during LifeWise StL’s Holiday Market December 7 & 8 by wrapping gifts!  Here are some of the “Elves” hard at work!

 

 


 

A group of volunteers from Manchester UMC made cookies and then took them to Epworth for the their clients to decorate…as well as eat!

More
articles

Pastor's Note

The Missouri Annual Conference

Every year, United Methodists from all across the Missouri Conference gather together for our annual meeting. This year, the meeting will be Friday June 9 through Sunday June 11 in St. Charles. Manchester UMC will be represented there by Revs. Andy Bryan, Phil Estes, Winter Hamilton, and Jim Peich. Our

Learn More »
Sermons

My Chains Fell Off

Conversion is a key idea in Wesleyan theology, and was a central part of the faith stories of both John and Charles. And conversion isn’t about going from “non-Christian” to “Christian.” Conversion can happen in the lives of believers, also. Conversion is a change that is worked in the lives

Learn More »
Pastor's Note

Charles in Charge

Charles Wesley was the poet of the birth of Methodism. In his lifetime, he composed thousands of hymns! His beautiful words captured the theology, the spirit, and the energy of the Methodist movement with vivid elegance. Charles was one of the children of Susannah Wesley, who was a profound spiritual

Learn More »