Epworth Missions and Outreach

The Missions & Outreach Team serves the Church by developing and facilitating effective ministries that bear witness to the giving nature of Christ -- within our Church membership, locally in the community, and internationally throughout the world. The 2010 Team members include Frieda Jeffers (co-chair); Zoe Burger (co-chair); Dan Sharpe; Evelyn Sharpe; Chrissy McKenzie; Kim Ashby; and Rev. Bill Jones.  If you have a passion for a current mission area, or a passion for a particular area of missional or outreach ministry that may not be listed on the website -- contact any of the Missions & Outreach Team members, or the church office.  The Team is here to serve as a resource and a support system for the various ministry areas of the church and the congregation.  Epworth is a missional church focused on shining the light of Jesus Christ to the community, both regionally and internationally.  Come join with us in our missions and outreach endeavors!  We welcome all ideas and all ages!!!!  You're never too young or too old to be involved in missions!

United Churches Assistance Network (UCAN)

One of Epworth’s areas of longest-standing mission support is that of UCAN (United Churches Assistance Network), located here in Cockeysville. UCAN is an all-volunteer, cooperative organization comprised of 13 local churches that together create a centralized fund that provides emergency financial assistance to families and individuals in the areas of eviction prevention, utility turn-off avoidance, medicine, lodging, food, and transportation. Emergency food packages (from the Cockeysville Food Pantry) are made available to UCAN clients, as are vouchers for the Thrifty Penny as needed for clothing assistance. UCAN serves individuals and families in the following zip codes, but is able to refer inquiries from other area to appropriate organizations closer to their area: 21111 – 12252 – 21136 – 21030 – 21031 – 21131 – 21093

The first Sunday of each month, the special offering plate during Communion is specifically for donations to UCAN. Additionally, the 3^rd Sunday of September has been designated “UCAN Sunday” where a special offering is collected for UCAN. Check their web site: http://ucanmd.org/

UCAN Gift Cards

Did you know that Epworth has a supply of UCAN gift cards “To Honor” and “In Memory Of” loved ones that can be used as alternative gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions, including as a sympathy gift in lieu of flowers?  95% of all funds given to UCAN are distributed to people in need, with only 5% used for overhead. A full 100% of donations to UCAN is tax deductible.  Recognize someone special while doing a good deed for the local community as well.  Contact the church office for one of these cards if you'd like an alternative gift for a special person in your life.

Manna House

The first Saturday of every month, a small but dedicated group of 2-3 volunteers leave Epworth at around 7:30, to serve breakfast at Manna House in Baltimore. Manna House offers assistance and support to the homeless, poor, and needy of Baltimore with services that contribute toward their independence and stability. On average, over 175 persons are served morning meals each day of the year. After the morning meal, clients are given assistance with health & hygiene, life skills counseling, health care, and other services that include access to computer and internet use and training to help in taking steps toward regaining economic self-sufficiency, self-determination, and self-esteem.

Epworth makes both monetary contributions, as well as food donations throughout the year in support of Manna House. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with serving breakfast the 1^st Saturday of each month. Although no one under 14 years of age is allowed to volunteer, this is a wonderful way for youth to get community service hours partnering with parents or others. Contact the church office if you are interested. Also, be sure to check the Missions bulletin board for a list of items and clothing always needed for this wonderful cause. See their web site at : http://www.mannahouseinc.org/

Food Pantry Collections

The last Sunday of each month as you leave worship, you’ll most likely be handed a brown paper bag, with a list of suggested food for donation to our monthly food drive.  Did you ever wonder where all the food goes?  A majority of the donations are given to the Northern Baltimore Cluster Food Pantry, with other pantries receiving a portion throughout the year.  Your March and September food donations go directly to the Cockeysville Food Pantry, while Manna House receives food donations made in June and December.  Each time you receive a brown bag, you'll also be given a list of "suggested" food to buy. Must you buy only what’s on the list each month?  Certainly not!  The list is only a guideline.  Feel free to take advantage of sales and donate foods that will be assist the needy in our community.  Just a note or two:  No perishable foods. No glass or "breakable" items.  No “home canned” foods.  No “out of date” or “expired” foods.  Your food donations, no matter how large or small, are always greatly needed and much appreciated, as food pantry shelves remain dangerously close to empty and the needy in our community increase in numbers. 

Meals On a Mission - "M.O.M."

Do you remember when you were younger and didn't feel well, or needed help? Who did you call? Why, MOM, of course! Epworth's "Meals On a Mission" ("MOM") serves a similar purpose!  A cross-generational group comes together for fellowship in the kitchen to make home-cooked meals, casseroles, soups, and desserts 3-4 times a year to distribute to shut-ins, members, friends, and families in crisis and/or upheaval (childbirth, surgery, accident or injury, a death in the family, etc.). If you find you're in need due to a crisis, an illness, or a surgery, just "Call MOM" and Meals On a Mission will deliver homemade meals to your home to help you through. There's nothing better than a home-cooked meal to help you feel better!  Contact the church office when the need arises and "MOM" will be there for you!

To make food for this program, there must be a Certified Food Handler present when food is made in the church kitchen. We currently have several Certified Safe Food Handlers among our congregation, but we’re always looking for more. For information on future class dates and locations, see http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/environment/environmentalhealth/food%20program/food_managers.html . Please contact Rev. Kim Hall if you are interested.

CROP Walk

Fall’s crisp air and changing colors usher in the annual CROP Walk for the Hungry in October.  Area churches, organizations, and individuals gather at the NCR trail to walk for world hunger.

One-fourth of the proceeds from donations stay in Baltimore County (divided equally between the Northern Baltimore Cluster Food Pantry, Hereford Food Pantry & UCAN), while the rest is distributed by Church World Services worldwide.  This is always a well-attended, well-sponsored family-friendly event spearheaded by the Youth and Young Adults of Epworth.  Contact Pastor Bill for more information. 

Baltimore County Christian Workcamp

Each year in July (this year's workcamp dates were July 19-23, 2010), Epworth joins with other churches, individuals, and organizations to spend a week with the Baltimore County Christian Workcamp helping with repairs to homes of the elderly & disadvantaged families in Baltimore County. Spearheaded by Hunts United Methodist Church in Riderwood, BCCW welcomes volunteers of all ages to perform all types of work (building / repairing ramps, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, roofing, interior and exterior painting, caulking, inside and outside cleanup). Not a construction tradesperson?  Don't fret!  Even if you have no experience in construction or home repair, we can still use your other talents and skills!  Can't volunteer for a full week? Everyone is welcome for as much or as little time as you can donate. During the week of the Workcamp, Epworth prepares a delicious French Toast, bacon, and fruit salad breakfast on Wednesday morning for the volunteers. Contact Pastor Bill Jones if you are interested in participating in this worthwhile endeavor.

School Supplies

Hundreds of children of all ages in Baltimore County cannot afford the basic school supplies needed to start the school year on a successful note.  Epworth supports an ongoing effort to collect book bags, paper, crayons, pencils, and other basic school supplies to distribute to children throughout the county in preparation for the start of school.  Take advantage of special sales throughout the year, then place your donations of supplies in the collection box in the narthex during July & August for distribution to nearby schools.  Let your light shine for the children of Baltimore County!  Contact the church office for more information.

Street Cards for Homeless

If you occasionally encounter a street person, a homeless person, or a person begging for help, and aren't sure what you can or should do, here's a good place to start:  Hand the person a Street Card.  Just what is a Street Card?  Created by the Baltimore County Public Library system in cooperation with the Baltimore County Communities for the Homeless, Street Cards are wallet-sized resources, that fold out accordian-style, and provide access information for employment services, food and food pantries, temporary shelters, free health services and walk-in clinics, financial support, legal aid, and other emergency services.  Pick up a Street Card (or several) from the back of the narthex or the church office & carry one or more with you to hand out as needed.  Street Cards are also available at any Baltimore County Public Library.  For more informaton:  http://www.bcpl.info/info/comm/comm_streetcard.html

Trunk or Treat

This popular Halloween tradition is a wonderful and much-anticipated outreach to the children of the community and the church. Church families decorate the trunks of their cars, trucks, and vans with different themes and provide an opportunity for the children of hte church and those who live nearby to walk safely in the church parking lot to see the decorations, collect candy, and enjoy delicious "spider hot dogs." For the church members, it is a lot of fun to dress up and get competitive as they use their creative flair to come up with fanciful decorations and themes for the trunks of their cars.  Epwroth Youth collect canned food donations for local food banks as an admission.  The Epworth Everybody Else active adult group (E3) provides their ever-popular "spider dogs" as a fundraiser.  The top 3 favorite decorated cars, voted on by everyone who attends the Trunk-or-Treat event, receive prizes......though everyone is a winner at this fun-filled Fall event!

FEATURED MISSIONS

1. Thrifty Penny Thrift Store -- one of the oldest and most important missions that Epworth UMC has provided for the community. We have a separate web page just for this featured mission. http://epworthalive.com/ThriftyPenny.dsp&PATH=&SITEID=ThriftyPenny.dsp&TEMPLATEID=

2.  Bahamas Mission Team -- a group of 28 youth and adults from Epworth UMC travelled to Nassau, Bahamas June 27 - July 3, 2010 to perform emergency home repair service and other missions through Bahamas Methodist Habitat: www.methodisthabitat.org.  Interested in finding out more about their experiences, while enjoying some delicious native Bahamian foods?  Join the team members, parishioners, and others for a wonderful time of food, fun, and fellowship while dining and learning more about the trip!  Tickets are $20/adult and $10/child (10 and under).  Date and other details are coming!  Everyone is welcome!

3. Angel Food Ministries -- This ministry offers low-cost, quality food purchases sold in "units" at a discount that will be available to the public -- all ages and all income levels -- this fall on a monthly basis.  Order one or more boxes for yourself, for a friend, or as an anonymous donation for a family in need. Get a sneak preview of what this program entails by checking out its tab at the top of the page, or visit their national web site: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/  Volunteers are needed to take orders once a month at church, to pick up food deliveries from the local distribution site, or to help with distribution at Epworth once a month. 
To order from AngelFood on line, click HERE! 

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 5 - Food donations benefit Cockeysville Food Pantry

September 19 - UCAN Sunday.  Learn more about this fabulous program that benefits our neighbors here in Cockeysville & nearby areas of Baltimore County. 

October

October 3 - Food donations benefit North Cluster Food Pantry

October 17 - Bahamas Mission Trip Dinner & Presentation in Fellowship Hall.  Come celebrate the intergenerational mission trip to the Bahamas led by Pastor Bill Jones.  Enjoy true Bahamian delicacies and view a presentation of the work the team did on the mission trip.

October 31 - Don't miss out!  Epworth's Annual Trunk or Treat event where we create a safe Halloween for neighborhood children.  Sign up to decorate the trunk of your car or truck, donate non-perishable food items for the youth to give to local food pantries, purchase "Spider Hot Dogs" created by our own E3's, and win prizes for the top three decorated trunks!

October 31 - Trick or Treat So Others Might Eat (TOTSOME) - Epworth youth "trick or treat" to collect canned food goods from area communities for local food pantries.

November

November 7 - Food donations benefit North Cluster Food Pantry

November 7 - 21 - Operation Christmas Child - Shoebox collection for delivery on November 21st.  Stuff a shoebox with toys, health & hygiene items, crayons & coloring books, clothing, and other items for children of various age groups, to be donated and distributed throughout the world as part of the Operation Christmas Child program of Samaritan's Purse.

November - Young Adults collect and assemble Thanksgiving food baskets to be distributed to the needy in Baltimore County

November 21 - 1pm - Epworth Youth & Young Adults will deliver shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child to a local distribution center, then proceed to the State Fairgrounds in Timonium to decorate a tree for the annual Kennedy Kreiger Festival of Trees. 

November 28 - Gingerbread Nativities - Epworth families and friends of all ages gather in the Fellowship Hall to decorate "gingerbread" nativities and partake in this much-loved Epworth tradition.  Everyone is welcome!

December

December 5 - Food donations benefit Manna House

Missionary Sponsorship - Sue Porter, RN

Did you know Epworth sponsors a Missionary? Suzanne Porter, RN, a missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church now serves at the Ganta Medical Complex in Ganta, Liberia, and visited Epworth in December to report on her work. From 2001-2006 Suzanne worked in a medical facility and with a community development program in Central Asia, with a focus on the delivery of medical care, training of assistant nurses and improving the health of the people living in remote and underserved mountain villages.

Currently, Sue is working in mission at the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences, where the dormitory buildings were decimated by war in 2003. In addition to training nurses to work in Liberia, a county that has some of the worst health statistics in the world (3^rd in infant mortality), Sue is working to raise funds for the renovation of three dormitory building for the students of the College. Epworth proudly continues its annual support for the missionary work of Suzanne Porter.

UMCOR

Whenever disaster strikes, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is quick to respond, usually second to arrive on the scene, only behind the Red Cross.  And, long after the Red Cross and other organizations leave, UMCOR volunteers stay behind, working alongside individuals and families to meet their housing, medical, and other needs.  Epworth has donated flood buckets, school kits, and health kits during times of disaster, and has also spent time on a summer Mission Trip to UMCOR headquarters to make repairs, stock their warehouse, and sew school kits to assist in UMCOR’s missions.  UMCOR channels 100% of monies donated directly to relief, keeping no monies behind for administrative costs.  A once-yearly offering supports and sustains the mission work of UMCOR.

Samaritan's Purse / Operation Christmas Child

Each November, Epworth collects and delivers over 150 shoeboxes filled with toys, crafts, and hygiene items to Operation Christmas Child to be delivered to children around the world, spreading the love of Christ to children and families through the Samaritan’s Purse program.  Several members of the church have received correspondence from families who received their shoeboxes.  To participate, stuff a shoebox with crayons & a coloring book or pad, school supplies, a stuffed toys or small toys, toothpaste & toothbrush, soap & washcloths, brushes, a t-shirt and/or other small items, and bring your shoebox(es) to the church in October or November for delivery to a local shipment site.  All boxes are then sent to a distribution center where they are sorted, and have a message of God's love included in the proper language for the destination country, and are distributed to children around the world.  For more information, contact Rev. Bill Jones.