UMCOR – HAITI

UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) is reaching out to and through United Methodist connections in Haiti to help in response to the devastating earthquake that hit there nearly two weeks ago. Our financial help is desperately needed. Make checks payable to First UMC with “Haiti earthquake” in the memo. If you are giving cash, you may use an envelope from the pew. Again, write “Haiti earthquake” on the envelope and if you would like credit (for IRS purposes) put your name on the envelope. Health kits are also needed for Haiti. Stop by the church office for instructions on making a kit.

Thank you to everyone that donated to Human Relations Day and our Bucket Sunday for UMCOR for Haiti in January.

Our Bucket Sunday raised $273.81 for the less fortunate in Haiti.

Even with the bad weather on Valentine’s Day, our Bake Sale and Angels for Haiti was a great success raising $316.50 for Helping Hands for Haiti.

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who purchased those delicious goodies and Angels and we hope you have enjoyed them. The Valentine goodies were donated by Carol Becker, Mary Alice Halverson, and Karen Miller. Hats Off to you ladies and we Thank You for all your help.

(Editors note: Linda Nelson is the person who donated all of the Angels. Since she wrote this article, she wouldn’t say that, but I can! Thanks, Linda, for your donation, too!)

The Mission Focus for March will be “One Great Hour of Sharing.” Remember, all the money raised during this time helps with administrative costs for UMCOR so they can be first to any disaster that strikes. UMCOR was first on the ground in Haiti because of this Special Sunday Mission. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. –Micah 6:8

By Jeremy Koerselman

Missions Committee member

The Missions Committee is providing an ongoing opportunity to the congregation of 1^st UMC to follow the church’s mission statement by providing financial assistance for those who have an idea of an act of mission they wish to do. This financial assistance is provided in the hope to facilitate more frequent and individually inspired mission projects throughout our congregation in order to extend the reach of 1^st UMC’s mission efforts into the community.

The Mission Assistance Program would like to fund missional ideas that are small and large; new ideas or tried and true acts of mission work for individuals or groups in the community.

The Mission Assistance Program is not an avenue to make fundraising requests for church sponsored trips or projects of the Missions Committee but rather an avenue to enable other projects.*

*Individual requests for trips and projects are still welcomed by contacting a Missions Committee member, as funds are available for these as well.

Applications are available in the church office. For further information you may contact Jeremy Koerselman at 661-8317 or another Missions Committee member.

Health Kit Assembly

Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Health kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition and cooking classes.

Health Kit Items Value: $12 per kit

Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.

1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27", No kitchen towels)
1 washcloth
1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, No child-size brushes)
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
$1.00 to purchase toothpaste (please put $1.00 in a small envelope and put it in the plastic bag or leave it with a staff member in the church office)

(NOTE: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before they are sent.)

Put completed Health Kits in the container located in the lobby.