August 2010
UMM logo

Mission of the Month Newsletter:
Buy Fresh, Buy Local

RISK-TAKING MISSION AND JUSTICE WORK SUGGESTIONS
from United Methodist Ministries---Missouri River District


In This Issue
Support Summer Intern Program
The Big Garden Advance
Help for Haiti
Events
Items to Collect
Join Our Mailing List

"Nothing is more pleasing or heartening than a plate of nourishing, tasty, beautiful food artfully and lovingly prepared. Anything less is unhealthy, as well as a desecration."
-- Wendell Berry

In your church
Summer Intern Program

Advance # 3020625

Providing salary support for the Global Ministries' missionary community.
In Your District
The Big Garden

Give to The Big Garden Advance #3021107
 
Globally
Help victims of the earthquake in Haiti

Give to the disaster relief advance
#901440


Continue to collect items for earthquake relief in Haiti.  You might even consider hosting a "kit-making party" in your home or church.  Birthing and layette kits are especially needed at this time.  Kits of all kinds will be collected at the 2010 Annual Conference Session at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, June 9-12.  Click here for a listing of kit materials.



Events
September 30-October 2
Come to the Hill: A Call to Hope and Action
RTMJ event at Camp Comeca

Sunday October 17th
Stand Up Against Poverty day of service
Missouri River District



Items to Collect: Pearl Community Center

It's back-to-school time again, and Pearl Community Center needs your help providing school supplies for children.  When you go shopping for your child or grandchild please add a few extra items.  Monetary support is also very much appreciated.  It costs $250/child to run the Community Center each week, with 20-30 kids who regularly attend.  This includes food, art materials, utilities, and staff wages.  As a result of last year's donations Pearl Community Center was able to supply back-to-school items to all of the children at the Community Center as well as many neighborhood teens.  What a wonderful ministry!  All checks should be made out to Living Hope UMC/Pearl Community Center and can be given to Pastor Gaines or Renise Loyd at 2319 Ogden, Omaha NE 68110. Pearl Community Center appreciates your support!
School Supplies

Needed back-to-school supplies include: 
  • backpacks (all age groups)
  • pencils (regular and mechanical)
  • pens (all kinds)
  • notebooks
  • notebook paper
  • spiral Notebooks
  • folders of all kinds and colors
  • rulers
  • protractors
  • calculators
  • erasers all kinds
  • markers
  • crayons
  • glue (sticks and Elmer's)
  • scissors (all ages)
  • T-shirts (all sizes and styles)
  • socks (all sizes and styles)
  • under garments (all sizes and styles)
Pearl Community Center has many on-going needs.  Click here for the complete list.

Items to Collect: Neighbors United

A partner of United Methodist Ministries, Neighbors United is a coalition of churches who provide community meals, clothing, and outreach in the Leavenworth and Park East neighborhoods.  They are always looking for teams to volunteer at their Saturday community meal, which is held at the First Baptist Church social hall, 421 Park Avenue.  In addition, they are looking for donations of the following items:
  • men's clothing, especially larger sizes
  • paper plates
  • napkins
  • Kool-Aid or instant tea
  • 20 sets of old restaurant-style salt and pepper shakers

TOILETRY DRIVE TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER
Neighbors United will be putting together men's and women's toiletry kits in September.  Requested donations include trial-size shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, soap, socks, and other items.


NEIGHBORS UNITED PANCAKE BREAKFAST
This Saturday August 21st, 7-10am at First Baptist Church!
$5.00 will get you pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee and juice.
Proceeds benefit the Park Avenue Center for our neighbors.
 

To volunteer at the community meal, to make a donation, or for further information, contact Kevin at 402.658.8494 or bigred1997@hotmail.com.


Suggested Reading:

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
one family's account of trying to eat locally for a year

Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses by Stacy Mitchell
an eye-opening look at the local impact of big box retailers

Going Going by Naomi Shihab Nye
a young adult novel about a girl trying to save a local business


Books Available at Soul Desires (402) 898-7600