Quote of the Month
"The most important activity we do each day is sharing God's love in tangible ways-offering hope, grace and care."
-John Wesley |
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Harvest UMC, Bradenton Kids Gives Pastor Steve the Slime
 Over 250 children attended Harvest UMC's summer camp about becoming active in their communities. The "SonForce Kids Special Agents" taught on such themes as; Trust in God's Plans, Unite with God's People, Train for God's Service, Follow God's Path, and Lead Others to God's Promises, reports Debbie Howell, Harvest's Children's Minister. The campers learned they too could be involved in God's missions through prayer and support for special projects.
Pastor Steven Price (pictured right) gave campers a gooey example by raising over $2,000 for UMCM's Children of the World Preschool when he got slimed at the end of camp celebration. Way to go, Kids! Thank you, Pastor Steve for being such a good sport. |
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Community UMC, Holiday Hosts "Fresh Start" VBS for Homeless Kids
 This summer, Community United Methodist Church of Holiday hosted the Fresh Start Kids Camp for children whose families were homeless or have financial hardships. The kids received a hot breakfast every morning, a good helping of faith-based activities, back to school clothes and supplies and a special scrapbook based on their camp experience that they created.
"Over 40 agencies, businesses, and churches were involved. We had 179 volunteers that signed in to work that week and they logged a total of over 5000 volunteer hours. Best of all, we were able to serve over 80 children who were either homeless or in danger of becoming homeless." Rev. Dan Campbell
A mini-grant from UMCM, plus planning and support from community churches, especially Hope UMC, Trinity, made this an outstanding outreach ministry. Rev. Gabe Wright, Hope Pastor, has traced the birth and growth of his church's involvement in Fresh Start in a poignant article, which you can read on Hope's website. Hope UMC plans to continue reaching out to the Fresh Start families. "May these children remind us that God is at work, God is in control, and God calls each and every one of us to be a part of His eternal story," Pastor Wright concludes.
UMCM is proud to offer our Mini-Grant program. The purpose of the ministry grant is to assist churches and community outreaches in the Gulf Central District to initiate new ministries or expand existing ones. Do you have an outreach idea that is long on vision and short on cash? Visit our Grant Guidelines and Application Page for more information on applying for a UMCM Mini-Grant. |
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Grant Writing Workshop a Smashing Success
For two weekdays in August, over 30 lay and clergy from the Tampa Bay area gathered to learn more about the art and science Grant Writing. This workshop was held at Skycrest UMC and instructed participants on finding and applying for grant funding. Attendees found the workshop fun and helpful: "Fantastic workshop for my $30 dollars!" "Very professional, organized and well done. I am ready to get to work."
For more information on upcoming workshops, visit our website. |
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UMCM's ESOL Program Highlights
Dunedin UMC to Host ESOL Workshop in September
Volunteers wishing to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) are asked to register now for UMCM's September workshop. It will be held at First UMC, Dunedin on two Saturdays: September 15 and 22. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both Saturdays. To receive a ProLiteracy ESOL certificate and be assigned students, volunteers need to attend both sessions.
Nine Complete August Workshop
 UMCM's newest ESOL volunteers completed their training in August and are hard at work at several UMCM sites. The group included volunteers from Heritage UMC, First UMCM in Dunedin, and from the community at large. Congratulations, new tutors: Roberta Dixon, Sandra Finch, Virginia Melidosian, Carin Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Barbara Murphy, Jake Voreis, Rafael Rivas, and Alejandra Maldonado! (Pictured Above: new tutors with UMCM trainers Jan Setzekorn and Marti Lane.)
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New Ministry Resources Ready for Download
Congregations having ESOL or pre-GED programs or programs for other adults with low reading skills are invited to download and use UMCM's newest literacy resources. Download the units by clicking on the unit name:Healthy Food = Healthier People, Regular Exercise = Healthier People, How Safe is Your Home, FIRE, and Household Poisons. Also download the Teaching Notes.
These materials were developed in collaboration with the Pinellas County Schools with partial funding from the Florida Department of Education. |
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Studio 10 Features UMCM ESOL Program
 Recently, Studio 10 conducted an interview with UMCM's Director of Literacy Services, Jan Setzekorn on our Families Learning Together (FLT) program. Jan touched on the many advantages to immigrants and refugees gaining a command in English such as qualifying for better employment and thus rising above the poverty level and participating in their children's education. Such things native English speakers take for granted, such as writing a note to a teacher or reading a report card prove "daunting" tasks for those not familiar with the language. By gaining a command of the English language, families are given an opportunity to succeed in school, the workforce and their communities.
To watch the interview online visit Studio 10. For further information on how you can become an English volunteer and give someone a chance at success visit our web page. |
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Employment Opportunities Available
Elementary Teacher
Child Care Aides
Site Coordinators
Check our website now for opportunities to become a part of the UMCM team. We are looking to fill positions immediately and are accepting applications now.
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