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
In May, SUMC Outreach Committee highlighted some of the ministries served by the capital campaign. If you have yet to make a contribution or pledge to this campaign, the forms can be found at the back of the sanctuary. You may learn more at https://www.wpaumc.org/DRURCampaign.
It is not too late to bring your new and gently used CLEAN shoes (pairs only) to help EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance) with its Annual Shoe Drive. Sewickley UMC will collect from now until June 2nd.
Look for the cart in the sanctuary on May 26th and help local families with food insecurities overcome that challenge. Sewickley Community Food Bank opens its doors on Wednesdays from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm to distribute food to those in need in and around the 15143 zip code. With the school year coming to an end, consider foods that might provide breakfast and lunch to children who normally receive those meals at school. Thanks to SUMC, 10 Easter Bags were distributed to the food bank’s clients.
The Outreach Committee is seeking several people to give a short testimonial about their positive experience with any of the WPAUMC’s camps or retreat centers.
Camping and Retreat Ministries serves over 20,000 people each year through camps, programs, retreats and other ministry opportunities. To increase participation, a capital campaign has been started to raise no less than $2.5 million and challenge a goal of $5 million. In May, SUMC Outreach Committee will highlight some of the ministries served. Congregants will then be encouraged to either make a gift or a pledge to this initiative.
Did you know that more than 20,000 Native Americans are part of The United Methodist Church? Our offering directly supports Native American congregations, equipping them to minister authentically with their communities, while honoring creative expressions of culture and heritage.
Trinity UMC (McMurray) is hosting this on Saturday, May 18th, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Rev. Leo Yates, consultant for United Methodist Global Ministries’ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry, will lead this training, which is designed for clergy, laity, students, and interpreters interested in deaf ministry in a Christian context.
Traditionally, SUMC has selected a United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) relief kit to assemble and deliver to AC at Grove City College each June. UMCOR keeps an inventory of relief kits ready for its ongoing ministries and for emergency responses. SUMC will assemble 50 hygiene kits.
Donations of nonperishable food are welcome and help the Sewickley Community Center Food Bank provide help to those in need. Look for the cart in the front of the sanctuary on Sunday. Thank you for helping local families in need.
Should the federal government shutdown continue, please share with those federal employees affected that there is assistance available. In particular, there are resources listed on the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank (GPFB) website and Facebook page. Additional volunteers are also needed to help with the extra packing and distributions needed to serve the over 18,000 federal workers in the area served by the GPFB. Visit this webpage for details on the available assistance and the opportunities to help.
If you have interest in mentoring children through Jewish Family and Children Services (JFCS), training will be held on January 19th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Mentoring is provided January through May, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, in Crafton Heights (West End) to children, including refugees from Syria, Congo, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Those interested in mentoring, please contact Andrew VanTreeck by email or at 412-904-5970 with questions or to apply.
Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to Bethany House Academy (BHA) before the end of the year, and see your gift triple.
Last call for donations to the Bethany House mitten tree and the shut-in gift bags. Please bring your donations to church Sunday, December 16th.
Thank you to everyone who is providing a Christmas gift for a child who attends the Bethany House. Your love and generosity will certainly touch the children and youth and let them know they are special and loved. If you haven’t yet brought in your gift, please bring it by Sunday at 10 am.
Everyone, middle-school aged through adult, please come to the “wrapping party” this Sunday between the services as we wrap the gifts for the Bethany House in the Simpson Room.
Thank you to everyone who is providing a Christmas gift for a child who attends the Bethany House. There are still 12 kids who need a sponsor; please see Pam Honeychurch to claim one!!
An offering will be divided between Doors to Hope and Red Stockings. Doors to Hope at Home supports six Western PA Conference agencies. Red Stocking supports the Health and Welfare Ministries of the Conference.
Scholarships and student loans are available to students who are members of the United Methodist Church. Student loans are available at interest rates as low as 3.75 percent (lower than federal educational loan rates) with a credit worthy co-signer.
$1,000 was sent to The Tree of Life Synagogue along with a letter of support. Please continue to pray for the congregation and community.
Thank you! Not only did the congregation pack 13 bags to help patrons of the food pantry prepare Thanksgiving dinner, the congregation fully funded the $15 gift card provided with each. Thank you for helping the Sewickley Community Center Food Pantry have complete Thanksgiving dinners.
