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| UMCH E-NEWSLETTER |
March 2010 |
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Greetings!
Cherry Trees in Bloom at UMCH
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Spring is off to a lovely start here at the Children's Home. The winter winds and rain are finally giving way to brighter days and warmer weather, and more activities are in the works. To learn more about what our children and youth are doing, visit our website or Facebook page.
UMCH is always looking for willing hands and people who like to share their love through service. If that's you, click here to contact our Volunteer Coordinator or see the article below for two current volunteer opportunities. And as always, feel free to pass along this newsletter to others by simply clicking the forward button at the bottom of this page.
In this time of new life and resurrection, we are thankful that you help us give each person at UMCH a new life. Thank you for your support! |
| VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES |
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 We need your helping hands
We have these and many other opportunities for you, your family or group to be directly involved with our life-changing work.
- Help at the dedication of Leigh Cottage on Sunday, May 23. The event will start at 3:00 p.m. and promises to be a fun and inspiring afternoon.
- URGENT NEED. Provide child care during Foster Parent Training in the evenings and on Saturdays.
Click here for more information or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Charli Whitfield, at (404) 327-5832. Our next volunteer training is April 20 at 4:00 p.m. |
| SERVICE SPOTLIGHT - BUILDING A VILLAGE |
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 Keeping Connections
Each year thousands of youth across this nation "age out" (usually at the age of 18) of the foster care system. Many do not have a family connection to help them transition from adolescence to adulthood. They don't have someone to call when they need some advice, are sick, or even when they are celebrating an achievement. These youth often feel like they're alone.
Because of this, UMCH has decided to participate in a new initiative of the state to better meet the needs of these older youth. We are inviting you to partner with us to make sure that no youth leaves our program without a family connection. We are looking for folks willing to become guardians, adoptive families or mentors. Our youth need folks willing to ensure that no child leaves UMCH without knowing there are people who care about them and are there for them.
The African saying that "it takes a village to raise a child" is most appropriate. We invite you to be part of our village as we work to fulfill our mission to "seek to bring the wholeness of God's love to persons through Christ." For more information on how to help, Carol Bartlett. |
| WOMEN'S WEEKEND IS A WONDERFUL GIFT |
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 UMCH Auxiliary Sends Youth to Conference
Thanks to the gracious and thoughtful support of the UMCH Auxiliary, eleven young women from UMCH traveled to Mobile, Alabama for WomenSpeak 2010. This conference is designed "to reach the hearts of women and inspire them to become a voice for peace and change in this world."
At the conference, our girls had the opportunity to hear and meet nationally and internationally recognized women who excel in disciplines such as teaching, speaking, writing, singing, dancing and poetry. Conference participants warmly welcomed our group to the event, often engaging them in conversation, and offering encouragement and inspiration. Our youth attended a variety of workshops on topics like journaling, healing hurts, building peace, singing, and learning to trust. Our young women hugged authors, poets, dramatists and Grammy winners.
Throughout the weekend, the Rev. Ellen Shepard, minister of religious life, wove a blanket for the unborn children of the world. Fabric was brought by women from all over the world totaling 600 pieces. On the last day of the conference, our UMCH girls carried the completed Blanket of Hope to the stage and presented it.
In the final session, women shared with each other the name and contribution of a woman who had been an important influence in their lives. Many of the girls named women at UMCH. Together they discussed that, just as they had been blessed by other women, they are each called to help someone else become the person she needs to be. The Auxiliary's gift of a weekend away in Mobile, as large as that gift was, may become bigger still. It may continue giving for generations. |
| THE "HOW TO" CORNER |
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 Ensuring Your Legacy: Planned Giving
Planned Giving is a term that, quite simply, refers to gifts that require planning. The gift can be planned for soon, such as stock or real estate, or for the future, like an insurance policy or trust fund. One of the easiest planned gifts to make is a bequest in your will. You can specify a dollar amount or a percentage, and a will can be changed at any time. You are able to take care of your family first, and also to give to your church or favorite charity. Even if you're not ready to make a bequest, everyone should have a will. A will is the best way of providing for your family after your death. Because you have made precise decisions while alive, you alleviate worry for your family at a very difficult time. If you already have a will, check to make sure its up-to-date, particularly if you've recently had a child, married, divorced or experienced a death in your family. Assistance with the preparation of a will should be sought from an attorney and other advisors as appropriate. If you have any questions about making a bequest or another type of planned gift to UMCH, please contact Richard Puckett, Director of Pubic Relations and Development, at (404)327-5820. And please let us know about a bequest or any other planned gift you'll be making. We want you to know how grateful we are! | |
The United Methodist Children's Home is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
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