Monthly Mission for april:
Wee Care
Be a Blessing to Someone – Love INC
Wee Care is a First UMC’s ministry that we have supported since July of 2011. It is one of the most heavily-used gap ministries with Love In the Name of Christ.
How does Wee Care work?
It begins with a call to the Love INC Connection Center. The Connection Center volunteer assesses the need and sets up an appointment for the parent to come to our church to pick up the items. Most of the families who are helped by our Wee Care ministry are single parent households who are struggling to get by on their small income and keep up with their baby’s needs. There is a cap on how many appointments they can have in a given year, and once the child reaches 24 months of age they are no longer eligible for Wee Care assistance.
How does our church help?
The Love INC Connection Center sets up appointments with parents then our FUMC volunteers retrieve the list of needs and packs up the items from the special storage area for our Wee Care items at the church. The appointments are set for Tuesday, and the baby items are picked up at the Welcome Center. The Wee Care volunteer welcomes the recipients and offers a word of support or encouragement to the parent, and to pray for the wee ones. A struggling parent can always use a kind word.
So, how can you help?
Although you can donate items any time, this month we are encouraging monetary donations to assist with this ministry. Baby supplies for our Love INC Wee Care ministry are always appreciated and can be brought to the church anytime. Baby wash, baby lotion, baby wipes, diapers in all sizes, burp cloths, receiving blankets, baby washcloths, bottles (4 and 8 oz) and sippy cups can always be used.
Seasonal clothing is also helpful to have on hand (especially the larger sizes), and parents are grateful for the cute new clothes or warm jackets. Of course, if you see a good deal on end-of-season baby clothes feel free to bring them in. We have a place to store them until the appropriate season.
We cannot accept baby powder or any baby foods (or formula or Pedialyte).
Thank you for your ongoing support of our Wee Care ministry to support mothers with small children who could use a little help.
The Northeast Iowa Food Bank Needs You!
Twice a month we send crews to the Food Bank. See the weekly Good News for dates and times each month. If you are interested, please sign up on the clipboards at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Space. If you can’t make it every month, that’s okay! Rides are available from the church to the food bank and if we are working in the refrigeration area you will be contacted in advance.
MISSION GIVING
Every month we feature a different worthy cause to support with our attention and our dollars. Sometimes it is a local charitable project, sometimes national and sometimes global. We support our local food bank, Love INC of the Cedar Valley, Church World Service, House of Hope, Banyam Seminary in Nigeria, and other projects which bring relief, health, education, and the blessing of God’s word to those who need it most.
Most of our mission giving is un-budgeted - that is, it is over and above what it takes to operate the church. Still, for more than 25 years running, First UMC has been recognized as a “Third-Mile” giving congregation.
We recommend that you check our latest newsletter for the Mission of the Month and other current projects.
You may give to mission projects by dropping your contribution into the Sunday offering plate, or coming in to the church office during business hours. You may also give to mission projects through the Venmo and Shazam Bolt$ mobile apps, by sending your gift to contributions@aboutfirst.com.