SUMC is an active church in our local community and in missions around the world. Here’s what’s going on.
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Outreach
As of a few weeks ago, plans were not set on the resumption of the afterschool program. Work has been done over the summer to prepare to move the pre-school to the Our Savior church building, as well as to thoroughly clean and organize the BHA house. Please be in prayer for this ministry as Church Union works on its plans for re-opening—SUMC has a long history of serving the children/youth of Northview Heights.
While the school year start has been delayed until late September, residential students have arrived at the dorms. Many changes have been implemented throughout the Mission, including renovations at the dental clinic and at the community store. It is hoped that small work groups will be possible beginning in September, which will help make community outreach possible that has been delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Church Union, a WPA UMC agency, works with public schools in the City of Pittsburgh and in Beaver County. Mentors go to the schools to work one-on-one with younger students struggling with their reading skills. Your donation of new or gently used children’s books will enable those students to have a book of their own.
Your purchase of a wide range of Kellogg's brand products equals opportunity to receive a free book. You can earn up to 10 free books! It would be wonderful to have dozens of books to donate to Church Union's Reading Mentoring Program.
United Methodist disaster response volunteers have been conducting assessments in areas hit by recent flooding and other disasters throughout the USA. UMCOR has also been aiding areas greatly impacted by COVID-19. The following are some of the recent UMCOR efforts…
Circumstances have prevented the church from hosting a blood drive, but the need for blood remains high. Please consider making an appointment through Vitalant.org. Donor blood is now tested for COVID-19 antibodies, with the results sent to donors. If you are found to have the antibodies, please consider donating plasma, which may help critically ill COVID-19 patients recover. Learn more about this process at Vitalant’s website.
Sunday, September 5th is designated by Western PA Annual Conference for this special offering, which supports the educational ministries of the Conference, which include Training and Resources and Laity Scholarships. Please use the “blue” envelopes located in the pews and on the information table, or mark your check/envelope “Christian Ed” and include with your regular offering. You may also select “Christian Education Sunday” on EasyTithe.
Photo by Oregon State University
Wow, did the church come through on that collection! Over 50 jars each of peanut butter and jelly/jam were delivered to the Sewickley Community Food Pantry. The food pantry tracks food donations by weight—SUMC’s donations topped 150 pounds! Thank you for your donations.
As SUMC collected PB&J for the Sewickley Community Food Pantry’s distribution on August 12th, there is no specific request for the 4th Sunday collection. To keep space clear in the sanctuary, please place any donations in the grocery carts located across from the restrooms.
This special offering will be received for the purpose of strengthening nurture, witness, and outreach in town and rural areas. If you wish to support Rural Life initiatives, mark you gift “Rural Life” or select that option on EasyTithe.
SUMC continues to keep a small food pantry within the church, so that the church office and the pastor can address immediate needs.
Perhaps, you missed last month’s newsletter article about the kits. As there remains a great need for these kits within the USA, Outreach is continuing its hygiene kit drive, with a goal of 50 completed kits.
Family Promise had not been able to serve guests in the traditional manner since March; eventually providing each family with AirBnb accommodations. As of June 30th, Family Promise is no longer providing families with that provision.
Your purchase of a wide range of Kellogg's brand products equals opportunity to receive a free book - YOU CAN EARN UP TO 10 FREE BOOKS! It would be wonderful to have dozens of books to donate to Church Union's Reading Mentoring Program.
Outreach has sent further shipments of face masks, specifically targeting school age children/teens, as well as children’s clothing to the mission, with thanks to the Olive Branch’s Mission & More and Stitching Together for donating the items. SUMC also shipped additional hand sanitizer to Red Bird.
The Fellowship of the Cross youth have launched our 10th annual Operation Christmas Child campaign. Church family has combined to fill 900 boxes in the past nine years, at least 100 in each of the past eight years.
Look for the cart on July 26th or place in the carts outside of the Simpson Room. Children are out of school for the summer – consider purchasing peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and cheese, juice, and other nutritious kid-friendly foods for July’s collection.
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, UMCOR (the UMC disaster relief agency) continues in ministries of not only assisting following disasters, but also in its outreach around the world. Hygiene kits are no longer shipped outside of the USA, but there remains a great need for those kits within the USA.
Increased support to both the Sewickley Community Center Food Pantry and Red Bird Mission is only possible due to the SUMC Outreach Committee’s receipt of Miracle Sunday funding.
There are still Blessing Bags available for you to pick up to have in your vehicle to distribute to persons in need, such as those who are asking for money along your drive.
