First United Methodist Church
"Celebrating Life Together in Jesus Christ"

602 South Market Street, Muncy, Pennsylvania  17756   --   (570) 546-8030

Missions 

 

Volunteers in Mission Fall Opportunities  The Williamsport District Volunteers In Mission Ministry is offering three out-of- the-area mission opportunities this fall.

   A VIM team will be in Greensburg, Kansas from September 20-September 28, 2008. In May 2007 an EF 5 tornado (strongest winds), estimated to be 1-1/2 miles wide, struck this town. All businesses and most residences were almost entirely destroyed. The cost of the trip is $325 per person. The fee and application are due September 2. Team members are responsible for their own meals and snacks during the two days of travel to and from Kansas. For more information contact John Best (326-1943, 337-9048, jmbest@comcast.net). There are also trips to Gulfport, Mississippi from October 18 to October 26 and from October 25 to November 2, 2008. Information sheets are at the Information Center in the narthex.

 

Our Newest Outreach: Russian Initiative

At the last Administrative Council, it was voted to support the Russian Initiative which involves the countries of Russian, Belarus, Moldova, and parts of Ukraine. The Russian Initiative and the rebirth of Methodism in Russia began with five congregations in 1992. By 2007, there were 105 churches with 8 new church starts and 6 new churches expected to being in 2008. The Russian Initiative is a program of the General Board of Global Ministries. The heart and soul of the mission is in the encouraging relationships with young and growing churches.  The General Board of Global Ministries receives contributions and transmits them to the United Methodist missionary in Moscow who manages the transfer of the funds to the Eurasia United Methodist Church Treasurer. The treasurer distributes the funds to the Eurasian pastors and churches under the guidance of their bishop. The Council voted to support the Initiative with $1,000 a year for the next three years, with decision to continue after the three year commitment is complete in 2011.

The Central PA Conference Ukraine Initiative is in the midst of its 15th year of ministry and outreach in Ukraine. One current area of the Initiative's focus is to provide Bible study and Sunday School materials in the Russian language for the Istochnik UM Church and for the Cerebral Palsy Center, both serving Kyiv. This is just one of the ministries which your congregation may support. To reach out to help our sisters and brothers in Ukraine understand more about God's compassion and love, you may send your donations to:

The Rev. John Godissart, UI treasurer
121 North Second St.
McConnellsburg, PA 17233-1163
jgodissart@comcast.net

or contact:
The Rev. Michael Gingerich, UI Chairperson
mgingerich@hotmail.com 

 

 District Volunteers in Mission Under the leadership of John and Sue Best, and the blessings of our District Superintendent, Rev. Arlene Beechart, a Williamsport District VIM Ministries has been organized. Kathy Burkhart represented our church in attendance for the meeting on April 5.
Our mission: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Our purpose: Volunteers in Mission share Christ’s love in ways that make a difference. We witness through work by:
-Honoring God in all we do, Living in community, Experiencing the people, Caring and Listening,
Being flexible and patient.
Our task: Our task is what we do (or physical work we do) with our abilities and is always secondary to our purpose of making a Christian difference. Although our task is distinct from our purpose, the two are joined together so that Christ may be lifted up.
We are looking for work that needs to be done in the Williamsport District. If you know of someone in need of repairs, and cannot do them their selves, please contact Kathy Burkhart, so help can be arranged.
If you would like to be on the list of Volunteers, also contact Kathy. If you would like to donate, please send your checks to the Williamsport District Office, 2420 Nottingham Rd.
Williamsport, PA 17701, and mark it for the Williamsport District VIM Ministries.

Computer Ministry, Inc Needs Help  Since January 2008, we have donated nearly 550 PCs to Zimbabwe, Puerto Rico, Ghana, and various local churches and non-profit organizations helping people in the region and even up to Maine. We need at least 20 for a theological seminary in the Philippines, and 200 more for a health ministry in Kyrgyzstan. But our shelves are bare. Perhaps the Lord is giving us a brief vacation, but the requests continue to come in. Although our next recycle day is not until August 9, we are making an appeal for your unused PCs and related equipment now. If you have a PC you aren't using and want to dispose of, please consider Computer Ministry, Inc. Even if you don't have a PC to donate, talk with co-workers, neighbors, or other family members.       We are in the Mission Central building, 5 Pleasant View Dr, Mechanicsburg PA. Our e-mail is: computerministry@comcast.net, our website is www.compministry.org, and our phone is 717.766.6373. We are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am till 4:00 pm, but if you can't make it on those days, Mission Central will accept PC donations for us any day they are open (Mon-Sat). If you wish, we can give you a donation acknowledgement for tax purposes. 

 

 Sierra Leone Initiative we are inviting you to send at least one individual to participate in the January - February opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone. We will take at least two teams to Sierra Leone. Tentative Schedules:

- Team one

Depart: Sunday, January 11th

Return: Thursday, January 22
- Team two

Depart: Tuesday, January 20th

Return: Sunday, February 3
Our team's primary focus is to expose participating congregations to the various ministries supported by the United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone. We will visit Albert Academy, Theological Seminary, Harford Academy Girls' School, Kissy Medical Clinic and a variety of congregations. We will visit congregations as well, but cannot promise that each participant will be able to visit their specific covenant congregation, since travel to some areas is so difficult because of limited infrastructure.
While many individuals have a passion to build, teach, or even perform medical services, this is not currently the thrust of our work. Since the war, it is essential that we rebuild relationships and begin setting goals to do the prior mentioned work.

Our total trip fee is: $3,500. This is all inclusive for travel, meals, lodging, etc. You only need funds for meals while in transit to and from Africa. Airlines tickets must be purchased soon, the payment schedule is as follows:
- July 16: $1,000.00
- August 11: $1,000.00
- September 15: $750.00
- October 15: $750.00
A total payment of $2,000.00 is due by August 11th. NO RESERVATIONS will be accepted after this date. All checks made payable: "Calvary UMC" and sent to:
Calvary UMC
Attn: Rev. Jeff Fisher
4700 Locust Lane
Harrisburg, PA  17109
(717)545-0021

For questions, e-mail: : missions@calvaryunitedmethodist.org.
*APPLICATION does not guarantee acceptance for available spaces
**NOTE: While we try to keep faithful to our prices, we have been warned there may be a
further fuel surcharge, if this occurs we will have to pass this expense to each participant.

 

 

    

 Ongoing Mission Collections Receptacles for ongoing mission collections are available in the corner of the Narthex near the Information Center throughout the year:

   The American Rescue Workers Shoe Barrel - Place used shoes (in any condition) in this barrel. Shoes are picked up periodically and recycled.

   The Pregnancy Care Center - A box is available for your donations of new baby items (disposable diapers, baby bottles, etc.). Items are taken to the Center for new mothers and their babies who are in crisis pregnancy situations.

   Soda Can Tabs - Julie Rishel will have a container for your soda can tabs that will be donated to help Ronald McDonald Charities, a cause that has special meaning to her and her family.

 

 

MISSION TRIP TO MEXICO

UM Missionaries Terry and Muriel Henderson have been serving the rural poor of Mexico through the GYTTE (Give Ye Them To Eat) development project for 31 years. Central PA Conference has been sending annual work teams for 15+ years with a team scheduled to go in October. Many of our churches help to support the Hendersons and the GYTTE programs. The current economic downturn in the US has drastically affected the GYTTE program. There's a saying in Mexico: "When the USA catches a cold, Mexico catches pneumonia.” Program contributions have dropped 90% and the GYTTE program is in imminent danger of being closed. Over the past several months, the Livestock program has closed and money from the sale of the animals has kept the other programs going.
GYTTE provides training for the rural poor to enable them to help improve their circumstances without having to leave their families to try to find jobs in the USA. About 20 Mexican staff are employed full time with many others hired frequently as day laborers when training events are held. Without support, this program will not be able to continue. "Give Ye Them To Eat" is an approved Advance Special of the General Board of Global Ministries. Please consider making a donation as individuals, classes or congregations. Please lift the GYTTE program in prayer! Give a gift online by going to www.gbgm-umc.org and typing in Give Ye Then To Eat, #07629A. A credit card can be used. Process a financial gift by mail. Make your check payable to Advance GCFA. Write the name of the ministry and the Advance code number on the check., "Give Ye Them To Eat", No. 07629A. Send your donation to Advance GCFA - GBGM, P.O. Box 9068 - GPO,NY, NY 10087-9068. 100%  of  your donation will reach the GYTTE program in Mexico. For more information about GYTTE go to www.gytte.org   For information about the October VIM team, contact Rev. Marian Hartman at revmeh@epix.net