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John Wesley, the founder of United Methodism, had deep concern for the welfare of those living in poverty and adversity. Our denomination has stayed faithful to those roots, organizing locally and globally to reach out to neighbors-in-need. Click here for the Missions and Outreach brochure (PDF).
This Summer in Mission and Outreach
June 1 - 7
College Mission Trip - Lake Charles, LA
June 16 - 21
S. E. E. K. Camp - Bridgeport, TX
June 22 - 27
Jr. High Mission Trip - Connect to the Kingdom, Dallas, TX
June 29
5th Sunday Missions Emphasis, 9:45 - 10:45 am, Wesley Hall
July 12 - 19
Sr. High Mission Trip - Proyecto Abrigo, Juarez, Mexico
July 21 - 24
Project Transformation Summer Reading Development
Program
Open to kids and adults. Contact Rocky Dwyer at rdwyer@fumcdallas.org
Aug 11 - 15
Youth Week
Aug 24
FUMC Blood Drive, 9 am - 12:30 pm, Wesley Hall
Contact Cristy Ecton at cristy.ecton@childrens.com
Mission and Outreach Opportunities
One Great Gift of Service
Once a year, the membership of First Church disperses throughout the metroplex on a weekend to assist various non-profit organizations in D/FW area. Sunday school classes take on projects such as planting gardens for the city or refurbishing an apartment for a person living on the edge of poverty. Various groups greet soldiers arriving home from Iraq or stock a food pantry. This is a great way to meet new people in the church and to reach out to the community. Our One Great Gift of Service is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2008. Contact: Brianna Brown at brianna.brown@sbcglobal.net
UrbanLife
UrbanLife is a ministry for young professionals in their 20s and 30s, single, coupled or married, who live/work/play in the Uptown/Downtown areas. UrbanLife seeks to build community and deepen spirituality among young urban professionals while helping them achieve God’s highest ideals for their careers, relationships, finances, self-development and connection to the world. Click here for UrbanLife volunteer opportunities.
Labors For Neighbors
www.laborsforneighbors.org
Labors For Neighbors is a conference-wide program to aid the victims of Hurricane Rita along the Texas Gulf Coast. Volunteers repair and replace damage roofs over a weekend,
generally departing late Friday and returning Sunday afternoon. Cost is typically about $95 / person. All skill levels welcomed.
Contact Ron Horick at 214-948-0006 or ronhead7@sbcglobal.net.
Project Transformation
www.projecttransformation.org
Project Transformation helps to develop literacy skills in children of low-income families. Volunteers work one-on-one with kids in reading development as well as participate in music, creative arts, recreation and group story time. The activities are conducted in a loving and Christian environment, transforming the children and the volunteers alike. Partial funding for Project Transformation comes from churches of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Contact: Brianna Brown at 214-515-0139 or brianna.brown@sbcglobal.net
Give Ye Them To Eat
www.gytte.org
Working with marginalized people in Central Mexico, GYTTE helps communities
better meet their needs. They use a people-centered approach to determine community
development, teaching accessible, low-tech skills such as solar-oven cooking, water sanitation and waste composting, erosion prevention. For more information, contact Jean Jacobs at jeancjacobs@aol.com.
Community Christmas
First Church celebrates Christmas with those who need extra help at Christmas time through the Community Christmas event. Volunteers of all ages are needed for a variety of activities including: greeting, entertainment, food preparation and set up/ clean up. Contact Jay Cole at jcole@fumcdallas.org
Carpenters for Christ
www.hpumc-cfc.org
Interested in using your hands to build homes and hope? We team with Highland Park UMC and Habitat For Humanity to build houses, start to finish, in the Dallas area. Volunteers of any skill level help with a variety of tasks, such as carpentry, roofing, painting, landscaping and general assistance. Groups can also help with providing meals to volunteers. Most volunteer work-days are on specific Saturdays throughout the year. Contact Ron Horick at 214-948-0006 or ronhead7@sbcglobal.net.
Nothing But Nets
www.nothingbutnets.net
Malaria is the #1 killer of children in Africa, and the Nothing But Nets program is fighting against this deadly disease by providing mosquito bed netting that minimizes the risk of infection. The United Methodist Church is one of the founding partners of this organization, along with NBA Cares and Sports Illustrated. Each net costs $10, and the 2008 First Church basketball tournament raised over $2000. Combined with matching funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this money purchased 450 nets. If you would like to contribute or help make this tournament an annual event at FUMC, contact Brianna Brown at 214-515-0139 or brianna.brown@sbcglobal.net
Juntos Servimos Mission Trip - Matamoros, Mexico
www.juntosservimos.org
Juntos Servimos (Together We Serve) works in the impoverished areas of Matamoros to provide medical care, education, housing, and food distribution to needy families. A 4- to 5-day work trip assists with these needs while bringing smiles to the faces of those we serve. Trips are open to anyone; however, medical professionals, people with construction or educational experience, and bilingual Spanish speakers are especially helpful. Typical cost is $350/volunteer. To sign up for a trip or for more information contact Ron Horick at 214-948-0006 or ronhead7@sbcglobal.net.
Ongoing Opportunities
HIV/AIDS Supper Club
Once a month, the Supper Club provides hot meals to residents of the Ewing and Revlon Housing facilities of AIDS Services of Dallas (www.aidsdallas.org). Men and women living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom were formerly homeless and currently live below the federal poverty line, receive a potluck dinner prepared by the volunteers from First Church. Contact: Kristi Posewitz, at kristiposewitz@gmail.com or 214-212-3992.
AIDS Care Team Network
The AIDS Care Team has offered compassionate care through companionship for over 10 years. Volunteers assist persons living with HIV/AIDS with meal preparation, light housekeeping, shopping and errands. Six hours of required training provided by AIDS Interfaith Network (www.aidsinterfaithnetwork.org). Volunteers commit to a minimum of 8 hours of service per month and attendance of bimonthly meetings. Contact: Grace McFerrin, at gmcferrin1@gmail.com or 214-328-7929.
Dallas Ramps
www.dallasramps.org
Dallas Ramps constructs wheelchair ramps at residential homes for people in need. Volunteer teams can typically complete one ramp in 6 hours or less. Minimal skills required. Contact Abel Sanchez at abel@abelsanchez.com for more information.
Ben Milam Elementary School
Volunteers read with elementary school children who are struggling with literacy and or behavioral issues. They provide encouragement and give the children the personal attention they crave. Most volunteers read with 2 children once per week, for 30 minutes per child. Ben Milam is located on the corner of Fitzhugh and Central Expressway. Contact: Ann Kibler at akibler@wbkconstruction.com or 214-893-8938. |
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