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A Hope and A Future
United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, Inc. |
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| Greetings! |
As you'll soon see, this edition of our newsletter is packed full of the programs, activities, and events that are taking place at UMCM/Suncoast this fall. Since the school year started and our programs went into full swing, we've found that God just gives us more and more opportunities to come together, reach out and serve His people.
We're having a great time doing it, too! You'll see what I mean when you read our Volunteer Spotlight article on Betty Ashley and learn about the success we're having in our growing programs. If you're not already volunteering with us, please check out our volunteer listings and look for opportunities that excite you. We'd love to have you join the fun!
Grace and Peace
Pamela Qualls
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
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| Please update your address book! |
Just a reminder that we are no longer using our Verizon email addresses.
Please update our general email address to contact@umcm.info.
For staff email addresses, go to our website at www.umcm.info/staff.Thank you! |
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Coming Events
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October 16, 9 am - 3 pm Artist's Attic - Craft Fair First UMC, Dunedin See websiteOctober 16, 10 am - 9 pm Macy's Shop for a Cause Shopping Passes now
available from staff and volunteers See details below October 23, 8:45 - 9:45 am Ditty Bag Ingathering at UMW District Annual Meeting Pasadena Community Church (UMC) See website
November 6, 1:00 pm
Golf Tournament to support P.A.S.S., Belleview Biltmore Golf
Club and First UMC,
Clearwater See article below
November 18, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
"Share the Dream" - A
Multicultural Celebration
of Thanksgiving
Allendale UMC
More info to come
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| Family Support Services Success |
Our Family Support Services program provides financial assistance with rent or utility payments when families fall on hard times and are in imminent risk of becoming homeless. They have received shut-off notices on their utilities, or eviction notices from their landlords. Often, with just a little bit of help, these families have the ability to get back on their feet after a tragedy like a health problem or job loss causes them to be in this predicament.
Recently, we surveyed a sampling of the families we helped over the previous program year. Out of the families we called, 50% of them are now stably housed and are able to meet their financial obligations each month. All of these families told us that, without our help, they are sure they would have joined the ranks of the homeless.
If you would like to help families who are in danger of losing their homes, contact Kitty Carpenter, kcarpenter@umcm.info or (727) 442-6881 X5 to find out how you can volunteer in our program.
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Calling All Golfers
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 | | Marilyn Lokey, Site Coordinator and Tutor, works with first graders during P.A.S.S. at First UMC, Clearwater. |
On September 20, 2010 the P.A.S.S. Tutorial Program opened its new site at First United Methodist Church located at 411 Turner Street in Clearwater. The site provides homework assistance, as well as enrichment activities in reading, writing and math, for first and second grade students that come from non-English speaking homes. The parents of the students constantly express their gratitude for the service P.A.S.S. provides. P.A.S.S. bridges many gaps for the students so they can be successful in school.
On November 6, First UMC Clearwater will be holding a Golf Tournament for Education to support the P.A.S.S. Tutorial Program.
Click here for more...
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| Financial Tips and Tools for ESOL Students |
On October 12, an 8-week financial literacy course will be presented to adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students at the Union Street Learning Center. The classes are provided by our new community partner, Project Pro$per, and will cover topics such as checking and savings accounts, budgeting and saving, using credit cards, and avoiding fraud and identity theft. The course is based on the FDIC MoneySmart and Hands on Banking curricula. The classes are specially designed to be easy and understandable to new English language learners.
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Volunteer Spotlight
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 At 89 years young, Betty Ashley of St. Petersburg exemplifies what it means to live life to the fullest. Betty has been a stellar English Tutor for the past five years at United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program site at the Children of the World Preschool.
Betty spent over 20 years teaching Home Economics and then Elementary School while raising her eight children in upstate New York. She has found tutoring English to be a very satisfying way to use her skills and interests.
Click here for more... |
An Opportunity to Serve
|  The Doug Brown Street Ministry has some rare openings for new serving teams. If your church is not currently participating in this ministry in St. Petersburg, is able to serve on Wednesday or Saturday, and would like to know more, contact Kitty Carpenter at (727) 442-6881 x5 or kcarpenter@umcm.info.
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Want to Shop for a Cause?
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If you love to shop, and you love to help others, you can do both!United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoastwill benefit from On Saturday, October 16th, Shopping Pass Holders Receive:
· 25% off on a single item-includingsale and clearance.· 20% off on ALL sale, clearance andselected regular priced items.· 10% off select furniture, mattresses,area rugs, electric and electronics.· A Chance to win a $500 Gift Card.Shopping Passes are available from UMCM for $5 each and can be used in any Macy's store nation-wide. All proceeds from the sales of Shopping Passes go to United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast to support programs.To get your Shopping Pass, call 727-442-6881, ext. 5. |
Bonnie's Talents
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Thanks to you, our generous supporters, Bonnie's Talent Match was a parable come to life. Bonnie's $20 was multiplied 82 times to provide $1640 to UMCM/Suncoast ministries that alleviate poverty in our five-county area. We appreciate everyone who supported Bonnie and our programs.
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| Info | United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, Inc.
1625 Union Street
Clearwater, FL 33755-1363
(727) 442-6881
www.umcm.info
contact@umcm.info
(Please note email change)
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