Epworth UMC
Missions & Community Outreach

In September the Outreach Committee invited Mark Fraley from Action In Montgomery (AIM) to Epworth to speak about AIM and its agenda as part of exploring the possibility of Epworth joining AIM. The meeting was held on September 26, 2004 and was attended by about 10 members of the congregation. During this meeting Mark talked about AIM's background and actions in the county. Thanks to all who graced this meeting with your valued presence. The audience was moved by AIM's work on issues like the Taxi Cab Reform legislation, Housing, and Immigration.

On October 13, 2004 AIM held a general meeting at the Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Takoma Park to adopt a new agenda for the coming year. This meeting was held the evening of the last Presidential debate and AIM was determined that the members would show up. There were over a 1000 people in attendance, all the children of God from 28 AIM member congregations. The meeting was attended by several Bishops from many denominations including our own Bishop Rev. Dr. John Schol, who spoke eloquently and expressed the conference's strong support/or AIM's agenda. The County Executive Doug Duncan, County Council members. Congressman Van Hollen, and Deputy Secretary of State for Maryland Mary Kane were in attendance. The church was filled with the chants of "AIM for One County!" as the new agenda was announced calling for the following:

At this time only one full-service immigration and naturalization office exists in the State of Maryland. It is located in Baltimore City. The last census indicates that 45% of all immigrants in Maryland live in Montgomery County while 21% live in Prince George's County.

• Obtain public land and build a 1,000 affordable homes in Montgomery County in the next four years for families earning $20,000 to $100,000 yearly

After the adoption of the agenda, the County Executive Doug Duncan, Congressman Van Hollen, and Deputy Secretary of State for Maryland Mary Kane were asked to stand and individually pledge to support AIM's agenda by taking specific action and here is what they pledged:

• Deputy Secretary of State for Maryland Mary Kane - will arrange for a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele and other officials from the Governor Ehrlich's administration to discuss how to support the immigration action.
• Congressman Van Hollen pledged to write to and arrange for a meeting with the Department of Homeland Security and AIM to discuss the immigration action. He furthermore pledged to seek collective action from all Maryland Ssenators and House Representatives in support of the immigration action
• County Executive Doug Duncan pledged to identify 10 plots of public land for building the 1000 homes within the next four months. He further committed to meeting with AIM in four months to discuss the housing action.

The church was filled with the Holy Spirit and what was left was for members to rally behind AIM and take action. It was a moving experience and all I could think of was that Epworth should stand up and be counted.

Want to know where the food we collect for Gaithersburg HELP goes? Attend ONE of three training sessions for new and potential volunteers. See Bulletin Boards for details. Call (301)216-2510, Box 6 for information or to RSVP. Tour the pantry, leam about various ways to volunteer. Daytime Food Coordinators, once a month, are especially needed.

Contact Cheryl White about HELP training, food needs or the mini-walk.

UMCOR A year ago you were challenged to subscribe to a weekly hotline. How many of you did? To receive week news of current projects, send a blank e-mail to: join-umcor-hotline(g),list.gbgm-umc.org. The hotline gives fund numbers for special aid projects, such as:

• Hurricanes, Advance #982410

• Families of hostages killed and injured in Beslan,Russia, Advance #982450

• Liberian refugees and displaced persons. Advance #901440

A link takes you directly to the UMCOR website about ongoing projects.

Send checks to United Methodist Committee on Relief, General Board of Global Ministries, Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115.

Thanks to the many contributors to the "Paper Shower." Epworth aids several shelters, as well as the Lord's Table, that are the beneficiaries.

HELP WANTED:

THRIFT SHOP helpers, two hours on occasional Saturday mornings. Sign up with a friend and have time to chat. Note: Thrift Shop proceeds are the mainstay of the Outreach budget.

Also needed (several people can take turns):

Someone with a strong back who can lift bags of clothing when the sorters meet at the church on Friday mornings.

Stamp Collector/Processor - Donations continue but a new contact and stamp club or dealer to buy them is needed.

Equal Exchange Coffee Coordinator - Enthusiasm and sales ($7/bag) are up. A video (12 minutes) and other information is available about Fairly Traded, shade grown coffee (some certified organic and even kosher!).

Representatives to stay in touch with three shelters: Community Ministries of Montgomery County, Upper Montgomery Assistance Network, Dwelling Place, and many other groups.

Want to expand your reach? Attend the Christian Outreach Committee on the second Thursday of the month

at 7:30 p.m. to learn about these and other activities.. .or to bring others to our attention.

christian outreach knows no seasons

Whatever the season, there are people of all ages to reach out to by providing your time and attention in listening, giving school supplies, food, clothing, or shelter; extending hospitality, passing on a kind word, making a friendly visit. Even just a smile. What's so amazing is that often those who give feel they have received the greatest reward, even if there is no direct "thank you" or personal contact. Have YOU reached out today? This week? This month? You are always welcome to join us on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. to learn about these and other activities...or to bring others to our attention. For information, call Heather Banks

The Lord's Table is an interfaith soup kitchen that serves dinner to those in need, Monday through Friday, from mid-September through June. Epworth members prepare and serve dinner the second Wednesday each month (from 1:00- 5:00 p.m.). If you would like to join us for all or part of that time, please contact Warren Craig

Always Welcome...

1. Volunteers and clean clothes at the Thrift Shop on Saturday mornings;
2. Contributions for HELP, shelters, Asbury and Walter Reed Hospital.

Mission: The Outreach Committee gives attention to "local and larger community ministries of compassion and advocacy, church and societal issues, global ministries concerns, health and welfare ministries, Christian unity and interreligious concerns, religion and race, and status and role of women."

Epworth's Christian Outreach Committee reviews requests for assistance from local, national and international service providers and decides how Epworth can respond. The Outreach Committee may offer financial or material contributions, volunteers or advocacy.

Activities: The Outreach Committee is responsible for the operation of the clothing Thrift Shop that is open most Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Income from the sale of used clothing is recycled back into the local community to support Gaithersburg HELP, holiday food programs, YMCA childcare, temporary housing facilities (the Dwelling Place, Stepping Stones, Redl House), Hearts and Hands, Upper Montgomery Assistance Network and health care agencies (Interfaith Counseling Services, Inc. and Care For Kids).

The Outreach Committee supports many worldwide missions with contributions to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) which provides worldwide emergency response. Other Advance Funds, such as Hispanic Ministries, are also supported. The Outreach Committee supports missionaries, Mark and Kathleen Masters, who are currently ministering in Zambia.

The Outreach Committee participates in ecumenical organizations such as Community Ministry of Montgomery County and the Upcounty Interfaith Housing Coalition. It also advocates for current issues such as Maryland's Universal Health Care Initiative and Handgun Safety legislation.

We believe that each time we respond to the needs of others in our community and our neighbors throughout the world, we are following god's commandment to love and care for one another as He loves and cares for us. We demonstrate what it means to follow the teachings of Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit within to guide our thoughts and actions. Our actions change lives and build trust, making believers of those no longer able to believe what they hear. Most importantly, our actions change our lives as we discover the joy of sharing God's blessings with others.

Critical Food Shortage at Gaithersburg HELP

Gaithersburg HELP has issued an urgent request to supporting congregations to increase our efforts to collect food supplies for their food pantry. Unfortunately food donations have not kept pace with the increased need. When you do your weekly food shopping, we hope you will remember Gaithersburg HELP and place a few extra food items in your shopping cart to bring with you each Sunday. Non-perishable vegetables, pasta, meats and soups are especially welcomed. The food baskets will be placed in the Narthex near a special collection sign. Cash donations will be used to help cover the cost of filling prescription requests.

Communion Sunday Food Collections Continue

Gaithersburg HELP – Gaithersburg HELP provided 330 Thanksgiving baskets through the City of Gaithersburg Holiday Program. The Committee decided to continue collecting food every Sunday indefinitely because of the steady rise in clients at Gaithersburg HELP.

Reminder: No glass containers or jumbo sized items please.

Thrift Shop Needs Clothes, Children's Clothes and Volunteers

Epworth has a long tradition of providing this service to the community...particularly to help people who have just arrived from warmer climates. Now we need more clothes to sell for $2.00 per bag. The proceeds are the major source of Outreach funds. Check your closets for items to donate. Children grow UP fast; some of us adults tend to OUTgrow clothes in other directions! Donations are tax deductible...just ask for a receipt. Sign up to volunteer for a two-hour shift on Saturday morning...volunteers work in pairs, and it's a great way to get to know someone better. Youth can receive service credit hours as well. The sign-up list is outside Rev. McCurdy's office. Remember that large paper grocery bags are always needed, too.

Outreach Ministries

Food and Friends (AIDS Assistance) -- 202-488-8278
Furniture Collection (HOC of Montgomery County) -- 301-495-0983
Gaithersburg HELP -- 301-216-2510
Germantown Meals-On-Wheels -- Toni Woods -- 301-924-3838
Hospice Caring -- Carol Sheeham -- 301-869-HOPE
Literacy Council of Montgomery County -- 301-610-0030
Hearts and Hands -- 301-947-5770