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2012 Mission Work Trip
The International Missions Committee is pleased to announce
that the 2012 Mission Work Trip destination is The Latin American
Bible University, San Jose, Costa Rica, February 10-21, 2012.
UMC missionary Becky Harrell serves on the staff of this interdenominational
school, which trains pastors and lay workers in Central America.
Eight spaces are available for men and women with building
trades skills, as well as supporting help, to work on construction
of student and faculty housing. We’ll stay on campus
while we’re working, visit the Quetzal Education and
Research Center in the cloud forest, choose an additional
sight-seeing destination such as a coffee plantation or museum,
and spend one night at a historic San Jose hotel.
The approximate cost, including round trip airfare (Phx to
San Jose, non-stop), building materials, room and board, in-country
transportation and sightseeing is $2000 per person. If interested,
make sure your passport is in order.
We encourage you to pray about participating in this faith-building
mission adventure.
You can access a brochure with more details at unibiblica.net/workstudy.htm
Gold Canyon United Methodist Church Food Bank
The Gold Canyon United Methodist Church’s Food Bank
is a mission that was created to serve the needs of the people
in our local community. We are open from 8:30 AM until noon,
Monday through Friday. We have an all volunteer staff which
currently numbers 38 people. The volunteers commit to daily
shifts as their schedules allow.
Some times we have special volunteers such as the Girl Scout
Troop 1450 from Peralta Trails Elementary School. Their volunteer
effort this summer began by first learning about good nutrition
and how to shop wisely. They then donated a majority of their
cookie sales profit and went shopping for the food bank. The
scouts took it one step further and worked food bank shifts.
They checked expiration dates, stocked shelves, packed bags
and helped clients take the bags to their cars. All the food
bank recipients couldn’t help but smile when these young
ladies went the extra mile to help them. They were energetic
and have a wonderful grasp of what it means to serve their
community.
The Food Bank depends on donations from church members, local
service organizations and businesses, and the Gold Canyon
community. This effort helps us to be successful with our
ministry. Another opportunity to donate has been created with
the support of the many concerts and community activities
that take place at the church. Instead of charging admission,
in most cases a donation to the food bank is requested. This
effort really helps us maintain our inventory needs. We encourage
your attendance at all of our concerts.
With today’s economy and unemployment situation our
needs are drastically increasing. We serve Gold Canyon, Apache
Junction, Superior, Mesa, Queen Valley, Queen Creek and others.
At present over 475 families are assisted by this ministry.
We provide assistance to the homeless as well, packing special
items that are easy to transport and open.
Although our resources are limited, we try to meet the needs
of our clients and consider their dogs and cats, too. We gratefully
accept donations from the public of any (in date) canned or
dry food products. We also need paper products, personal hygiene
items, cleaning products and diapers. We thank all who support
us and allow us to serve.
Jeff Downing and Dan Gray - Managers
Collecting Donations for the Justa Center
Some of you may remember our speaker, Rev. Scott Ritchey
from the Justa Center, on UMW Sunday in May. If you
are not familiar with the Justa Center, I encourage you to
visit their website at www.azhomeless.org. It gives
a very concise description of the work being done at this
wonderful shelter for homeless seniors in Phoenix. We
are, at this time, collecting supplies for the Justa Center.
They are in need of eye glasses, coffee, sugar and non-dairy
creamer. Please bring your donations to the church and
we will deliver them at the CED Annual Meeting on October
11th. Thank you for your support!
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