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In January, 2010, the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Richardson, embarks on a courageous journey of making God's love real. . . in practice. |
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Not just on Sundays, not just special times, but every day practices. What is a practice? Something we do repeatedly, consistently in order to improve in those areas we need to improve. |
Mission and Service refers to the projects, efforts, and work people do to make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Chirst, whether or not they will ever become part of the community of faith.
Risk-taking pushes us out of our comfort zone, stretching us beyond service to people we already know, exposing us to other people, situations, and needs that we would never ordinarily encounter apart form our deliberate intention to serve Christ.
Risk-taking Mission and Service involves the efforts to alleviate suffering and injustice to improve the conditions of others in the name of Christ.
Do you have an idea or suggestion about one of the Five Practices? Your ideas are valued.
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Ideas, Thoughts, and Suggestions
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WITHIN FUMCR Assign a church member to each person/family who joins our church to contact periodically for the first year Promote/announce service opportunities from pulpit Ask Zimbabwe group how we can work with them and their country Provide assistance to those in wheelchairs getting to service or class Take communion to shut-ins; send them cards so they know they are remembered Bring back contemporary service for those who won't attend sanctuary service, maybe in a smaller venue; Rodney did a good job Joy does a good job; church does a lot for missions; continue to build capacity in our missions lay leadership PIN fund - Joy offers assistance to those who come in asking We could use some training on using service work as fruitful evangelism opportunities Offer more opportunities for those unable to go on mission trips, but who could do things like assemble UMCOR Health Kits Publicize "mini-ministries" such as books for Santa's Workshop and Network Record, produce, deliver Sunday school presentations |
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Meet needs of minority and low socio-economic people with: Try to have Richardson the focus of a mission project; for example, save 50-100 bags for homeless for ditribution on Richardson Need for food, books at Network Continue to reach out to young single professionals, young single parents We miss Body and Soul Be a community hub; invite others in; advertise in paper and on internet; expand presence and exposure Transportation aid for elderly/disenfranchised for after-dark activities, doctor appts, etc. Need closer connection with local hospitals Visitors to see Alzheimer patients Need for emotional help Prison Ministry Expand college program at UTD Weekend and after work opportunities Take short missions trips that more people could schedule into their lives Need to do more in Richardson Church does a lot in the community |
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL Medical and legal trips Hear from youth and adults who travel on mission trips Follow up with projects we assist PERSONAL ATTITUDES & HABITS Express the idea of taking risk yourself, not waiting to be called to participate Participate in missions that are challenging, engage us with the people we are helping, not make them feel needy Reach out to others without fear of rejection COMMUNICATIONS Offer multiple ways to communicate service and mission projects so that more people know about them; perhaps an email list for mission projects Highlight different mission area each week in bulletin or service to create more awareness Have a link on the website to put someone on the prayer list FROM THE CHILDREN We can do missions such as totebags, angel tree, and Pennies for Peace in Sunday school Give money, canned goods, health kits Read to children |
Information updated 2/5/10