UMCM October 2008 E News  |
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All Programs in FULL SWING |
PASS+ After-School Tutorial Program 
Destination Discovery Computer Lab
Adult ESOL (Nine Locations)
Families Learning Together
Moms, Pops, and Tots
Children of the World Preschool (10 Nationalities) | |
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| Focus on Literacy at Pinellas Jail |
 By Emily Bowen, ESOL Site Facilitator and Trainer
On Sept. 4th, I was privileged to join a county literacy team to teach inmates at the Pinellas County Jail. Our goal is to lower recidivism. We learned that 67% of prison inmates cannot write a letter, or read a map or bus schedule. But research shows that the re-incarceration rate drops from 49% to 20% for inmates who complete an education program.
As one of the trainers, I was inspired by their intelligence and surprised by their drive to learn. We instructed low-level inmates and provided ways for them to earn their GED. Literacy skills open doors that provide positive choices and opportunities which many of the inmates have never known; the choice to do good!
The Literacy Council of St. Petersburg, Tomlinson Adult Education Center and UMCM collaborated on a comprehensive Adult Basic Literacy (ABL) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training and program. The goal of this joint outreach endeavor between Pinellas County Jail, the Literacy Council, the Tomlinson Center and UMCM was to train a select group of inmates to be ABL and ESOL teachers to other inmates. |
| Economic Downturn Hits the Poor Hardest |
 These are challenging economic times and that is especially true if you are poor, a single parent, unemployed or elderly.
The Clearview Food Pantry reports a 100% increase with 263 persons served in one day! The coordinator reports, "The numbers of recipients have increased lately, and we appreciate a gentleman called 'Joe.' " Recently he stopped by the Food Pantry for a meal, since he was homeless. Now he has a place to live, a part-time job, and he helps us each time we are opened. With a warm smile, he encourages others who are experiencing hard times."
All of our feeding and food pantry programs are in need more than usual. If you can, consider making a special gift to help us to help those facing hunger. Please send your donations today!
Give today and help make a difference! |
| The Giving Tree |
Pasadena Community Church is Sponsoring "Giving Tree"
The idea is easy; visit Pasadena's campus and remove a pumpkin from a tree in the church sanctuary. Purchase the item indicated and bring it to the church office. These items will be given to the following UMCM ministries:
Children of the World Preschool
Homeless Outreach
PASS+ After-School Tutorial Program
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| Online ESOL Volunteer Tutor Training |
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Nov. 3- Dec. 10
Click Registration
Have you ever wanted to become an ESOL Volunteer Tutor, but could not attend the sessions? You can become a tutor by Christmas with this training! | |
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Scripture of the Month |
| "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." Malachi 3:10 (NAS) |
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Mark Your Calendar |
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Oct. 25 - UM Women Meeting and Ditty Bag In-gathering
Nov. 3 - Online Tutor Training Begins
Nov. 10 - UMCM Board Mtg.
Nov. 15 - Ditty Bag Sorting - Union St.
Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Day, Offices Closed |
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Needs List |
- Gift Certificates to Wal-Mart, Sweet Bay, Winn-Dixie, and Publix
- Gallons of Hi-C
- Individual Boxes of Fruit
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- 5-oz Paper Cups (No Styrofoam)
- Fruit Drink
- Kleenex
- Individual Fruit Cups
- Individual Pudding Cups
- Cookies
- Health Bars
- Small Dessert Size Styrofoam Plates
- Volunteers to bake cookies for the PASS+ After-School Tutorial Program at Union St
- Click on Needs List on our web page.
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Plea from Food Pantry
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Supplies are very low at Sylvan Abbey United Methodist Food Pantry. Don't wait until Christmas; get a jump start and bless others now!
Contact Tamara Preston 727-796-3057 |
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Click to join our Mailing List |
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Donate Directly to UMCM |
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Click on How to Help and follow the instructions. Or you may donate by credit card by calling 727-442-6881, or mail your donation to: UMCM, 1625 Union Street, Clearwater, FL 33755 |
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October and November-UMCM Months! |
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Would you tell us how you have been successful in sharing news about UMCM missions with your local church, community group and friends?
Send your stories, pictures, and tips to
Share your GOOD NEWS of lives changed in Jesus Christ! |
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A Call for Volunteers in After-School Tutorial Program |
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Volunteers are URGENTLY needed in the PASS+ After-School Tutorial Program at Union Street UMC in Clearwater. PASS+ meets Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5:30 pm. Volunteers will help elementary children with reading, writing and simple homework as well as assist the teachers. If you wish to help, contact Pam Qualls, Coordinator of Volunteers at
727-442-6881 Ext. 5
or email
Note: Volunteers are needed to bake cookies for our 33 children at Union Street. | |
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ESOL Volunteers Needed - No Experience Needed! |
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UMCM needs more volunteers to teach English to speakers of other languages at our nine ESOL tutorial sites in Pinellas County. The free 15-hour training includes materials and is followed by additional online training. Call Karen for more information and registration at 727-442-6881 Ext. 0.
Make a difference to last a lifetime! |
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Around the District - A Creative Giving Project 
The Women of 1st UMC Dunedin are undertaking a church-wide global mission project. The goal is 100 sewing kits destined for UMCOR's Sager Brown distribution center in Louisiana. Teresa Long, Betsy Kenas, and Virginia Melidosian proudly display the creative project. The kits, which include 3 yards of fabric, scissors, needles, thread, and buttons to match, will be given in sewing classes to foster independence and income-generating experience, benefiting women and children. Among the countries to receive the kits will be the Republic of Georgia, which is in desperate need of assistance. This mission project will run from Oct. 1 - Nov. 2.
Donations and supplies are gladly accepted! Contact Betsy Kenas, UMCM's Ambassador from Dunedin, at 727-791-6982 or ztabetsy@gmail.com. Way to go, gals! |
| Preschool Hosts New Parent Advisory Committee |
 The Children of the World Preschool Advisory Committee met on Sept. 17. The first major item of discussion was this: "Children do best when parents can be teachers, supporters, advocates and decision-makers!"
Front: Mirijana, Senka, Carol and Thuy. Back: Tony, Teresa, Alicia, Latdy, Nheath and Hoangvan. Not pictured is Rosa. |
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PASS+ Birthday Party |
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Students of the PASS+ After-School Tutorial Program enjoy their September and October birthday party by sharing pizza and cupcakes!
Happy Birthday to all students, staff and volunteers who celebrate September and October birthdays! |
| Come Join Us for Ditty Bag Sorting Day |
| We welcome volunteers for Ditty Bag Sorting Day on Sat., Nov.15, at Union Street. Work begins at 9:30 am runs till 2:30 pm or until the job is done. Come for a couple of hours or stay the whole time, whatever fits your schedule. We'll be taking the Ditty Bags and personal items that are gathered and donated by our wonderful UMW units and then we will prepare them for delivery and distribution.
Contact Pam Qualls, Coordinator of Church Relations, Volunteers and Special Projects, pam.umcm@verizon.net or 727-442-4661 Ext 5. | |
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To all of our readers:
If you are able to assist either as a volunteer or to give financially, it is deeply appreciated. We seek to continue to bring hope and care to the lives of so many hurting children and families. Gifts may be sent to United Methodist Cooperative Ministries, 1625 Union Street, Clearwater, FL 33755.
Sincerely,
Donna Ratzlaff, Executive Director
United Methodist Cooperative Ministries |
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