Our Children’s Sunday School worked together today to sell lemonade after the 10:30am Worship Service to raise money for PowerPaks 4 Kids, a project of the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, that provides food for disadvantaged children in our community on weekends.  It cost about $170 / child per year to provide this service.

By raising $742.48, our children provided this service for a little over 4 children!  Way to go!

Gant Grimes (a member of the FUMC Missions Committee) is working to find volunteers for the Habitat for Humanity Parade of Homes on June 4-12, 2011.  This is a major fundraising event for Habitat in which people purchase tickets to tour brand new homes in our community built by local home builders.

The volunteers that Gant is seeking would pick up money at the Habitat office (1206 Lamar), go to the host home (3406 Oxford Ln), greet visitors, sell tickets, and return the money to the Habitat office.  You can sign up for the following shifts:

• Weekend (Sunday / Saturday):
  • 2:00-4:00pm (only have to pick up money at the Habitat office); or
  • 4:00-6:00pm (only have to return money to the Habitat office).
• Weekday (Monday – Friday):
  • 6:00-8:00pm (HINT: Sign up with a partner.  One can pickup the money; the other can return the money).

If this sounds like something you can do, please, contact Gant directly at:

• 940-235-9411
• gantgrimes@gmail.com

Currently all slots are open except for Tuesday, June 7 and the first shift on Sunday, June 12.

Spring 2011 has been a bad year for weather in the United States.

An emergency worker carries a girl out of Academy Sports on the evening of May 22 following the tornado that hit Joplin, MO. Web-only photos courtesy of The Joplin Globe/Roger Nomer.

Some are not getting enough rain; some are getting too much rain, leading to flooding.  Others have had severe weather like tornadoes accompany the rain.  The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to all of these catastrophes, but your financial help is needed.

Make a donation to UMCOR’s relief efforts by clicking here:

Be sure to note that you are a part of FUMC Wichita Falls!

You’ll also have an opportunity to make a donation on Sunday, June 5, 2011 during worship by leaving an offering at the Altar Rail during Holy Communion.

Here are some articles that you may find of interest:

• Joplin Tornado Hits UM Churches, Members
• UMCOR’s Plans for Recovery
• Prayers, Volunteers Sustain Storm Survivors
• Twisters déjà vu for Alabama Pastor
• Tornado Damage of Katrina-like Proportions

The FUMC Women’s Ministries recently gave donations to the following groups from pledges, gifts, and sales!

• $350-UMCOR
• $200-Patsy’s House
• $250-Christian Women’s Job Corps
• $225-Children’s Aid Socity
• $250-Straight Street
• $250-Meals on Wheels
• $200-First Step
• $200-PowerPaks 4 Kids
• $200-Faith Refuge
• $191-School for Little People
• $  50-Interfaith Ministries
• $  50-Faith Mission

In an amazingly fun event on February 27, 2011, we shared in fellowship, food, and even friendly competition in order to make a difference in our community and beyond as we took part in the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bowls Chili, Stew, & Dessert Cook-Off!  A total of $3,849.20 was raised to benefit our four primary missions initiatives:

• 40% PowerPaks 4 Kids = $1,539.68
• 20% Texas Ramp Project – $769.84
• 20% Faith Mission – $769.84
• 20% Imagine No Malaria – $769.84

This greatly exceeds 2010′s proceeds of only $2,460!

One of the things that may have been the catalyst for the great response was HOT DOGS!  It was so good to see so many families there since their kids would have something they’d like to eat!  We’ll do this again in the future!

Now, I’m sure everyone wants to know the winners in this great event!  Yet, this could not have been done without the amazing participation of EVERYONE – those who cooked, decorated, and even ate.  THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!

Winners are as follows:

Chili

1. White Chicken Chili by DeEdra Folmar
   Winning a gift card to Logan’s Roadhouse!
2. Chili by Rev. Paul Goodrich
   Winning a gift card to Chili’s!
3. King’s Chili by Donovan & Kathie King
   Winning a gift card to Chili’s!
4. Chili by Sue Sperry
   Winning a gift card to Taco Casa (donated by Taco Casa)!

Stew

1. Bee’s Stew by Paula Moore
   Winning a gift card to the Hibiscus Cafe!
2. Stew by Carl & Delaine Wiersema
   Winning a gift card to Olive Garden!
3. Pozole by Gene Newton
   Winning a gift card to Luby’s Cafeteria (donated by Luby’s)!
4. Stew by Kristian & Tammy Kowing
   Winning a gift card to Hunan’s Chinese Restaurant (donated by Hunan’s)!

Dessert

1. Banana Pudding by Kristian & Tammy Kowing
   Winning a gift card to Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream!
2. Brownies by Noros & DeeAnn Martin
   Winning a gift card to Gidget’s Sandwich Shack (donated by Gidgets)!
3. Brownies by Margee Adkins
   Winning a gift card to Gidget’s Sandwich Shack!

Sunday School Classes Making the Most Money

1. Aldersgate
   Winning 4-weeks of teaching by Rev. Troy Sims
2. Bi-the-Way
3. Exodus

Best Table Decorations (see pictures below)
(voted on by Missions Committee Members)

1. Aldersgate Sunday School
   Winning 3 bags of gourmet coffee!
2. Children’s Sunday School
3. Keystone Sunday School

First Place Decorations - Aldersgate Fire Truck Theme with Fire Hydrant & Dalmation -

Second Place Decorations - Children's Sunday School - Heavenly Hot Dogs -

Third Place Decorations - Elegance by the Keystone Class -

Do you have pictures of this great event?
Share them with Rev. Troy Sims!

PowerPaks 4 Kids (a program of the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank) will be one of 4 recipients of the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bowls Chili, Stew, and Dessert Cook-Off on February 27, 2011.  Here is some information about this worthwhile organization that you may not know (and to learn more, visit wfafb.org).

In 2009-2010, the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank partnered with 26 schools and many program supporters to provide easy-open grocery items to children who might otherwise go without food on weekends. The Food Bank supplied food that was packed by organizations like ourselves into plastic sacks to be tucked discreetly into children’s back packs. Currently, our church is packing and delivering 121 packs every week to Alamo Elementary.

How Program Works

• Chronically hungry children are identified by teachers and staff at their school.
• Backpacks are filled with food by groups like our church that children take home on weekends.
• Food items distributed are “child-friendly” items, such as pop-top pasta, granola bars, shelf-stable milk, cereal, and fruit cups.

Program Objectives

• To provide children at-risk of hunger with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for consumption at their place of residence.
• To involve additional resources and partners in order to assure sustainability of the program

How Do Kids Benefit?

• Improved school performance
• Reduced school absenteeism
• Better concentration in classroom
• Relief from weekend hunger

To learn more about the cook-off
or to enter a recipe
CLICK HERE

]]> http://fumcwf.org/archives/4556/feed 0 http://fumcwf.org/archives/4524 http://fumcwf.org/archives/4524#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:11:52 +0000 tsims http://fumcwf.org/?p=4524 The purpose of this ministry is to fashion and present shawls, lap robes, baby caps, pillow cases, etc. to women, men, and children to assure [...]]]>

The purpose of this ministry is to fashion and present shawls, lap robes, baby caps, pillow cases, etc. to women, men, and children to assure them of God’s love and of the concern and prayers of others for them. Members of this ministry can use their talents to crochet, knit, quilt, and / or cross-stitch the items to be given.

You don’t have to already know how to do these types of crafts!  Those wanting to learn these skills are encouraged to participate, too!

Here are more details:

• Wednesdays, beginning March 23 for 5 Weeks
• 7:00-8:30pm
• At FUMC

Name:

Phone:

e-Mail:

Comments:

Enter these characters:

www.faithmissionwf.org
Facebook

Faith Mission will be one of 4 recipients of the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bowls Chili, Stew, and Dessert Cook-Off.  Here is some information about this worthwhile organization that you may not know (and to learn more, visit www.faithmissionwf.org).

Their Mission:

Faith Mission will daily focus ministry efforts in producing transformed lives and sending them into the world spiritually and emotionally whole in the name of Jesus Christ.

Their Vision:

Faith Mission is providing hope to all by restoring lives through Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration through the love of Jesus Christ.

Services Provided:

• Daily Chapel Services at 12:30pm & 7:30pm
• Daily Meals at 6:00am, 12:30pm, & 7:30pm
• Sleeping Quarters:
  60 beds for single men;
  16 beds for single women; and
  4 family rooms for those with children.
• Rehabilitation Programs for Men & Women:
  12-month Bible based work recovery programs are available for those who want to beat the addictions of life that kill and destroy body, mind, and soul.
• Furniture & Clothing Provisions:
  Have you visited their “Thrift Shoppe” at 1628 Harrison St?
• Day Labor Service:
  An average of 250 clients per month find day work through employers contacting the mission, and some jobs become permanent.

To learn more about the cook-off
or to enter a recipe
CLICK HERE

The generosity of our church showed through again during the recent food drive to benefit Interfaith Ministries.  A total of 1,113 lbs. of food was delivered today (November 23) with the help of some great volunteers (Pat Deal, DeEdra Folmar, Paul Goodrich, Gene & Elizabeth Newton, and Troy Sims).  Keep in mind that this does not include the food that our children have been collecting.  That will be delivered next week.

Coinciding with (and helping to fuel) this food drive was a friendly competition among Adult Sunday Classes.   For three years running, the Bi-the-Way Sunday School class won!  In second place was Exodus Class followed closely by the Win-Some Class.  Congratulations!

Check out the pictures of some of our workers from today:

Thanks to some great volunteers (DeEdra Folmar and her sons Garrett & Maverick), the Salvation Army Angels are up on the tree in the church office for you to choose a child angel in our community to provide Christmas gifts for.

Here are the basic instructions for what to do:

1. After choosing your Angel(s) off of the tree, find your Angel(s) ordered by Package Code (this is printed on the Angel card) on the Angel List on the clipboard. Fill in your Name & Phone Number.
2. For each gift you plan to give, please wrap it individually. If you use gift bags for wrapping, please, seal the bag so that the gift will not fall out.
3. For each wrapped gift, PLEASE, put the Package Code from the Angel Card in large BOLD letters. You might consider writing it with a permanent marker or tape the number to the package.
4. Please, try to keep all gifts together. If possible, you might consider putting them all in one large bag. If you do this, please, put the Package Code on that bag as well.
5. When your bring the gifts to the church, don’t forget to put the date you dropped them off on the Angel List.
6. PLEASE, bring these to the church no later than Monday, December 13, 2010.

Questions?  Contact Rev. Troy Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229).  THANK YOU!