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STOUGHTON FOOD PANTRY The need continues to be great in our own community. Canned goods, especially soups and vegetables, are always needed. First UMC of Stoughton sponsors the Ilse Marks Stoughton Food Pantry which is located beside the church in the former "Youth Hall." It is open on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Donations can be sent or brought to the church for the pantry. Contact the church office Wednesday, Thursday or Friday mornings if you have any questions. Whatever you can do to help our neighbors will go a long way in helping those with limited incomes and who are having difficulty putting food on their tables. "for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in." (Matthew 25:35)
"Dear friends,
let us love one another,
for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves
has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7 THOT: Is it possible that our lives are a manifestation of what we
think about God?
Shut-In Ministry Being confined to home can be very lonely especially for seniors who don't have family to check up on them. Don't forget those in your neighborhood or town who may be in such a position and would appreciate a phone call, visit or a "thinking of you" card. Remembering someone who can't get out and about on their own can bring a measure of joy to an otherwise lonely life. It only takes a couple of minutes to "check in" and you'll be blest as well as the person you are reaching out to. "...I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me....Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:36, 40)
Bottles & Cans for Missions We continue to provide boxes in the hallway near the bathrooms for recycling tonic bottles and cans. The funds received when these items are recycled are then used by the Missions Commission for various missions projects both in the community and the world.
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PERSONAL CARE MINISTRY The Missions Commission in conjunction with the Evangelism Commission is continuing to collect items for the Personal Care Ministry which are brought to local homeless shelters or to where needed in the community. Items always needed are: toothpaste and toothbrushes; shampoo and soap; wash clothes; combs and brushes; small packages of Kleenex; mouthwash, deoderant, perfumes, and other personal care items. A basket is located in the rear of the sanctuary for donations. Thank you to all who to continue to support this worthwhile project on an ongoing basis.
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Another way to help in mission outreach is through the United Methodist "Special Sundays" during the year. Through the six churchwide Special Sundays offerings are taken giving United Methodists opportunities to nurture others - in the church and the community at home and around the world. Our gifts do make a world of difference. The six Special Sundays are: - Human Relations Day - January
- One Great Hour of Sharing - March
- Native American Ministries Sunday - April
- Peace With Justice Sunday - May
- World Communion Sunday - October
- United Methodist Student Day - November
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Michah 6:8b
MITTEN TREE The Missions Commission has a special seasonal ministry called the "Mitten Tree". Donations of winter hats, scarves, mittens and gloves, either store bought or hand-made are collected and placed on the tree. They can be any size since they will be given to children as well as adults. These items are then given to the Cooper Community Center in Boston where they are distributed to those in need who will be a little warmer during the cold Northeast winters. Donations are accepted until the second Sunday of December when they are gathered up and then delivered in time for Christmas. Though the Mitten Tree Ministry is done each year in December, women from the church work year-round making hats, scarves and mittens which they bring to the church in December to donate to this worthy cause so in a real sense, this is a year-round ministry and labor of love for those who enjoy knitting and crocheting.
"KEY FOR HOPE" "Key For Hope" is a special mission project where old, unused keys will be recycled. The funds received will be used to buy food for the hungry. Plastic containers can be found in the sanctuary and in the gym for old keys. When the containers are full, they will be recycled. Rather than throw those old keys away, you can bring them or send them to the church for this mission project.
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