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Outreach Opportunities at First United Methodist Church
Here I am Lord, It is I Lord?
I have hard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart!”
This familiar United Methodist hymn calls us to respond to the love of Christ by reaching out and serving those in need where ever they may be. The Community and World Outreach Committee of First United Methodist have compiled this booklet to summarize the many ways that your church members are reaching out beyond the walls of our church. In doing so they are serving as the example, the hands and the voice of Christ in today’s world. Please take time to look over the many outreach opportunities and their descriptions. We hope that it encourages you to get involved by contacting the person listed under each opportunity.
Giving money in support of First United Methodist’s outreach and missions is wonderful and much needed, but it is only the first step toward the service of Christ. Giving of your time and sharing your talents is the next step. Please contact a Community and World Outreach Committee member to share your ideas, your passion and lend your support in what ever way you can.
SO….if you see something that interests you or you are interested in something that is not here, PLEASE take the time to make contact with the church and let us know.
CROP Walk
Activity Description: CROP Walk is a 5K walk (~3 miles) to raise money for people in over 80 countries who live in poverty. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. The really great thing is 25% of the money raised locally stays local by going to the Larimer County Food Bank. Church World Services facilitates the walks and oversees how monies are used. Their focus is on providing educational opportunities such as teaching people to fish, grow food, build water wells, and construct schools and things that will sustain and improve life in poverty stricken areas for years to come.
Timing of the activity: Usually on the Sunday afternoon of the first weekend of October for a couple of hours.
What are the interests of people who will volunteer: These walks are cooperative efforts for all denominations in our community. Anyone can participate as an individual or as a family. You need to generate donations for your own walk and then show up the day of the event ready to walk. Kids can ride their bikes, ride in strollers, or simply walk. You can even bring your dog. It is a great opportunity for your family to show the kids the importance of helping those less fortunate. If people cannot walk themselves, then we encourage them to donate to someone who can. Refreshments are provided as well at the end to celebrate everyone’s hard work raising money and walking.
Name of the contact person: Tracey Bean at 266-0252 or tracey_bean@hotmail.com
Food Bank for Larimer County
Activity Description: The Food Bank of Larimer County provides nutritious food which has been donated, is surplus from local businesses or commodities from the federal government. Monthly, a group of volunteers sorts food in the warehouse or helps package large portions of food into family sized portions. FUMC’s volunteers are highly valued for their dedication and productivity at the Food Bank.
Timing of the Activity: On the third Thursday of each month from 9:00 to 11:30 am, at the Food Bank of Larimer County.
What are the interests of persons who volunteer: Volunteers want to assure that persons in Larimer County do not go hungry. Volunteers work in the Food Bank warehouse to organize and prepackage donated foodstuffs before distribution and collect and take food donated at the church to the Food Bank.
Contact Information: colms@foodbanklarimer.org
Humanitarian Canning
Activity Description: Humanitarian Canning takes place at the LDS Bishop’s Cannery in Denver. Approximately six dates are set throughout the year by Interfaith Council. The canned goods produced are sent to The Food Bank of Larimer County for distribution. The volunteer hours are from 7:30am to 3:30pm with car pooling arranged through The Food Bank or volunteers. Maps to the LDS Bishop’s Cannery are provided. Sign up sheets with specific dates are at the Community and World Outreach cart in Fellowship Hall.
Interests of Volunteers: Persons who want to have a hands on experience in providing canned foods for persons in need.
Contact person: Pat Harper at 493-1191 or pat.harper6@comcast.net
Mission Kitchen aka: Catholic Charities Northern (CNN)
Activity Description: The kitchen and serving facility for the homeless is at 460 Linden Center Drive. Every third Monday of the month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, it is the responsibility of FUMC to staff and operate the kitchen. Three persons are needed to prepare and serve the dinner and clean up. Also, on the fifth Saturday in any month, FUMC is to provide 6 people each for 2 shifts (10:00am to 12 noon and 12 noon to 2:00pm). Aprons are provided and volunteers must be over 16 years of age for all work in the kitchen. The sign up sheet is at the Community and World Outreach cart in Fellowship Hall.
Interests of Volunteers: A hands on activity where they can experience the results of their efforts to provide hot meals to persons and families in need.
Contact Person: Pat Harper at 493-1191 or pat.harper6@comcast.net.
Fort Collins Interfaith Council
Activity Description: The Fort Collins Interfaith Council addresses the needs of the community by working together with other faith communities. The areas of focus are: health; food, social concerns and housing.
Timing of the Activity: The Fort Collins Interfaith Council meets on the first and third Thursday of the month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at a different location each month. Representatives from congregations and social service agencies attend.
Name of Contact Person: Heather Hallett Thurston at 482-9755 and/or
hhallett @foodbanklarimer.org
Gleaning at “Grant Family Farms”
Activity Description: After the production of the field slows in the fall, Grant Farms harvesters move on to new fields leaving tons of good food in the fields to spoil. This is where the “gleaners” come in. We borrow the Food Bank’s truck and fill it (usually about 7000 pounds) with whatever is available. Onions, beets, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and squash are some of the vegetables gleaners gather and deliver to the Food Bank to distribute. This is a great opportunity for us to supply some fresh produce for those in need and keep good food from going to waste.
Timing of the Activity: Usually the first week in October. Persons interested in salvaging nutritious fresh produce and providing it to persons in need is encouraged to come out. Dress for the weather: gloves and boots may be appropriate. Bring a box or some bags for what you will take home.
Name of contact person: Dave Rubenthaler at 970-493-3084 or druben@woodward.com
Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity
Activity Description: Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity is the only Affordable Housing Ownership program in this area. It strives to assist families in need of safe, clean and affordable housing through partnering with volunteers to build them a home that they can afford. We offer a hand up, not a hand out. FUMC is one of many organizations volunteering to assist Habitat for Humanity. Opportunities to volunteer in this program, beyond financial contributions, include assisting in the operation of our Habitat Home Supply Store, providing administrative assistance in our offices and assisting in the building of homes for partner families.
Timing of the Activity: There are opportunities to volunteer on nearly a continuous basis. Sign up sheets are available on the Community and World Outreach cart in the Fellowship Hall.
Interests of the Volunteers: People who are interested in providing a helping hand by helping construct a habitat home are especially needed. There are places where persons of all skill levels can contribute. Nothing compares to spending a day of your time assisting a partner family build its home.
Contact Person: Glen Goff at grgoff@rcgoff.net or by phone at 204-0307.
Heifer Project
Activity Description: The Heifer Project is an international program that makes it possible for families around the world to help themselves have better lives, to feed their children and provide shelter from the storms of poverty and hunger. Recipients receive an animal (goat, sheep, water buffalo, rabbits, etc) and are able to pass on offspring of their gift animal to another in the community. FUMC Sunday School children collect offering money to buy an animal through the Heifer Project who in turn will supply a family in need with an animal. More information is available at www.heifer.org.
Interests of Volunteers: Any person on group who is interested in providing sustainable help to persons in poverty in the developing world can become involved in raising funds to purchase an animal.
Contact Person: Bev Halperin at 482-2436, ext. 16 and bevhalperin@fcfumc.net
Operation Christmas Child
Activity Description: Members of First United Methodist assists the non-profit organization Samaritan’s Purse by packing gift boxes which are distributed to hurting children in some of the most remote parts of our world. Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations through gift filled boxes and the message of God’s love. Shoe boxes are filled with useful items such as books, underwear, t-shirts, stockings, toiletries, wash cloths, pencils, paper, crayons, small toys, balls, games, etc. They are collected during the third week of November in time for their transport and distribution of children around the world at Christmas time
Interests of Volunteers: People of all ages are involved in collecting suitable materials and filling shoe boxes as part of this hands on mission project focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. There is a special need for persons to help with promoting the activity among church members and groups, collecting materials, inspecting boxes to assure a good combination of contents and preparing materials for shipment.
Contact Person: Lori Ailor at 490-1194 and shoeboxlady2001@yahoo.com
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Activity Description: The National Prayer Shawl Ministry was started by Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo in 1997 at the Harford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. A group of enthusiastic FUMC knitters answered the call to create shawls in March of 2007. The results of their efforts are given to people who have health or other issues that an embracing, comforting shawl could help. Over 75 beautiful shawls were dedicated at Women’s Sunday September 2007. Monthly Knit-In’s are held in the church parlor on the third Saturday of each month. Each session begins with prayer, following by the dedication of newly created shawls before combining happy conversation with the sound of clicking knitting needles. Shawls are given not only to members of our church family but have been sent to persons across our nation. Requests for the shawls come through our clergy, Stephen Ministers or to members of the group.
Interests of Volunteers: Persons who enjoy knitting and working with their hands while having fellowship with like minded individuals.
Contact Persons: Elva Alden at 482-0983 or elvamaine@aol.com; Alyce Kaehler at 484-1463 or afkae65@hotmail.com ; or Beverly at 484-8447.
Clara’s Welcome to Newborns
Activity Description: The ministry welcomes newborns and babies in our church with a beautiful lovingly handmade quilts and blankets.
Interests of Volunteers: Persons who enjoy quilting and handcrafts.
Contact Person: Charlotte Allum at 226-4149 and callum@juno.com
Putnam School Volunteers
Activity Description: In coordination with the Faith Community Volunteers Program at Poudre School District, FUMC is partnered with Putnam Elementary School in northeast Fort Collins. Our church has pledged to provide volunteer support to the school. Putnam is a Title One school, which means it qualifies for additional funding for at-risk students. 71 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Some volunteers from First United Methodist assist in one-time projects such as the school book fair and vision screening in the fall, or read aloud day and the science carnival in the spring. Other volunteers spend time at the school on a weekly basis from as little as 30 minutes to 4 hours reading with children, tutoring in math, editing writing assignments, shelving books in the media center, and sharpening pencils. Monetary donations, playground balls, educational games, books, school supplies, and Christmas presents have also been given by church members. We collect Box Tops for Education, which are small symbols on cereal boxes and other products, to raise money for Putnam. The Box Tops collection box is outside the church office.
Interests of Volunteers: Volunteers are interested in helping the needy or working with children. The largest recruitment of Putnam volunteers occurs in the fall, but help is needed throughout the school year. Sign-ups can be done at the Community and World Outreach cart in Fellowship Hall.
Contact Person: Janet Krech, 225-0330 or ajkrech@msn.com
LAMMP (Larimer Association of Methodist Mission Partners)
Activity Description: LAMMP brings together Methodists in our area to identify needs and mission projects locally and in the world where they can make a difference. Current projects include Volunteers in Mission (VIM), supporting the Buckhorn Camp and Camp Hope for disabled children, preparing and packaging disaster relief supplies at the Sager Brown Depot in Louisiana and distributing Christmas gifts at Warren Village. More details can be found at www.fcfumc.net/involved/lammp.cfm. Funds for LAMMP projects are raised by serving an Easter breakfast, with a special offering once each year and donations from interested parties.
Interest of Volunteers: Participants are interested in having direct hands on experiences working with persons in need while partnering with like minded people from other UM Churches in our region. They serve both as leaders and participants on mission trips domestically and internationally and projects.
Contact Person LAMMP: Mary Ann Henke at 223-8725 and anjohenke@peoplepc.com
Contact Person Sager Brown Depot: JoAn Hopkins at 282-0024 and J30105hopk@aol.com
Contact Person Pine Ridge: Theresa Holbrook at 226-1982 and holbrook30@comcast.net
Contact Person Guatemala: Mary Ann Henke at 223-8725 and anjohenke@peoplepc.com
Contact Person Buckhorn: Bill Henderson at 223-8165 and Henderson@firstalliance.net
Holiday Village Shops at Warren Village
Activity Description: Warren Village in Boulder exists to assist low income single parent families achieve sustainable and personal economic self sufficiency. Residents and alumni parents gather before Christmas to select new gifts for their children. Children also pick out special gifts for their parents. Volunteers assist the children and parents to select appropriate gifts and festively wrap them to make them ready for placement under their Christmas tree.
Interests of Volunteers include the welfare of children living in a low income environment and working with Methodists from churches in Larimer County. This is a great way to experience the true spirit of the holidays.
Contact Person: Marlene Brown Estes Park UMC at 970-586-3169 or bbrown361@msn.com
Volunteers in Mission (VIM)
Activity Description: Currently LAMMP is coordinating and organizing two different mission (VIM) experiences. One is assisting a Guatemala mission to construct a school to educate the children of natives in a remote area of Guatemala. While volunteers are in country, they help teach a Bible School to the children in the area. A second is working on a building project at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Special training is provided to all who participate in these trips to prepare them for the work they will be doing and help them understand the culture and circumstances of the persons they will be assisting. Funds for the VIM activities are raised through special dinners and other promotional and sharing opportunities.
Interests of Volunteers: Participants are interested and excited about doing hands on mission work in an environment that is very different from their current one while becoming familiar with people and cultures different from their own. Participation requires payment of transportation and living expenses, both of which are kept to a minimum and good health to with stand the challenges of a different environment.
Contact Person Guatemala: Mary Ann Henke at 223-8725 and anjohenke@peoplepc.com
Contact Person Pine Ridge: Theresa Holbrook at 226-1982 and holbrook30@comcast.net
Buckhorn Camp, Bellvue, CO
Activity Description: The Buckhorn Camp provides numerous camping and short term retreat experiences of United Methodists. It’s located in a beautiful spot up Buckhorn Canyon west of Bellvue, CO. Residential camping experiences in a Christian environment occur in the summer for children grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. There are also camping experiences for adults with developmental disabilities and persons with cancer and other diseases. To keep the camp operational and affordable, volunteers go to the camp in May and do cleaning, maintenance and building projects before the camping season begins.
Interests of Volunteers: Persons who like to be outdoors and believe that a Christian camping experience can assist children, adults with special needs and persons like themselves to strengthen their beliefs. No special skills are required other than a willingness to work and be in fellowship with others.
Contact Person: Bill Henderson at 223-8165 or William@firstalliance.net
Camp Hope
Activity Description: Camp Hope provides quality Christian programming for adults with developmental disabilities for 4-5 days in the summer at the Buckhorn UM Camp. Activities include crafts, fishing, assisted horse back riding, music and worship. Evening activities include dancing, talent shows, games and awards.
Interests of Volunteers: Volunteers work directly with campers providing support and assistance to campers with a variety of challenges. The excitement and enthusiasm of the campers makes this a rewarding experience for all involved.
Contact Person: Bill Henderson at 223-8165 or William@firstalliance.net
Meals for Campus Geller Center for Spiritual Development
Activity Description: On the edge of CSU’s campus, The Geller Center on Howes Street north of Laurel provides an inclusive setting in which students and community members can deepen and broaden their spiritual lives. Local Faith Communities provide meals for the Wednesday evening Food For Thought meeting. A circle of 10-20 students’ relish the home cooked meal while Center pastor Peggy Christensen and invited community leaders start discussions that quickly involve all present. FUMC brings the meal several times a year.
Volunteers are needed to provide the meal and are invited to stay for the discussion.
Contact Person: Grace Harris at 970-282-7214 and graceharris@frii.com
Alternative Gift Fair
Activity Description: The Alternative Gift Fair provides an opportunity for persons to purchase gifts that were made by persons who lack many material necessities or to donate to international efforts which are directed to elevating hunger and poverty. The Alternative Gift Fair takes place in November making it possible for purchase of gifts that honors the birthday of the Christ Child while providing assistance to persons who are less fortunate then ourselves. Booths are sponsored by locally connected, non-profit ministries such as Heifer International, Ten Thousand Villages, Nothing But Nets (mosquito bed nets), and others sell crafts secured on mission trips to Kenya, Guatemala, Afghanistan and Malawi.
Volunteers needed to help with publicity, then set up and take down on Fair Day.
Contact Person: Grace Harris at 970-282-7214 and graceharris@frii.com
Mission Speakers and Studies
Activity Description: FUMC arranges presentations by persons in mission, telling their stories sometimes at worship services, to appropriate classes, UMW, or the annual Mission Study in January. Nationally, the United Methodist Church prepares a study curriculum and trains leader/presenters to teach it at a 3-day School of Christian Missions in August, followed by single day study schools around the conference during September. Members of the congregation are invited to attend the training schools (some scholarships and car-pooling are available).
The 2007/8 study was on Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East. The 2008/9 study will be of Native Americans. The Community and World Outreach Team sponsor this Study focus to FUMC on 4 Wednesday evenings in January, 2009. A Free Will offering goes to a ministry appropriate to the study.
Interests of Volunteers: Persons who are interested in understanding mission efforts and needs identified by the United Methodist Church are needed to help with publicity, refreshments, and hosting for events held at FUMC.
Contact Person: Grace Harris 970-282-7214 graceharris@frii.com
UMC missionaries to Angola-Covenant with the Crawfords
Activity Description: FUMC began a Covenant with Tim Crawford in 2007, by committing $2,500 and the mutual promise of an ongoing relationship of prayer support and communication. The Crawford’s letters and blog messages can be read on-line and are compiled in a loose leaf notebook in our church library. We plan to increase the financial support to include Tim’s wife Carol, and look forward to a visit from them when they itinerate in the USA about 2011.
Tim and Carol have served with The General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) for 28 years, first at the Henderson Settlement of the Red Bird Conference in Kentucky, then in Mozambique, as trainers for rural and industrial development. They returned to Henderson Settlement while their children went through high school. Tim managed the agriculture, and Carol served a local church while attending Asbury School of Theology. On Christmas Eve 2007 the Crawfords started a 3-year mission term in the East Angola Conference. Both teach in their new School of Theology, while Tim works to develop the agricultural potential of the Mission property to feed the growing number of residents on the Quessua campus, including a new dormitory for the Conference Orphanage.
Persons are invited to keep in touch with the Crawfords through their letters and blogs, responding via e-mails and letters, and sharing their news with others at FUMC.
Contact person: Grace Harris at 970-282-7214 and graceharris@frii.com
CHUMS (Children and United Methodist Servants) Outreach
Activity Description: CHUMS was formed in 1999 in response to the Methodist Bishop's Initiative on Children in Poverty. Specifically it focuses on children in foster care. The program provides birthday gift cards, books, Easter baskets, and other gifts to children in foster care and residential health care facilities for children with behavioral problems who otherwise receive little special attention. CHUMS volunteers fill from 35 to 70+ Easter Baskets each year for children in foster care. The baskets are delivered to Lutheran Family Services for distribution. They also collect diapers which are distributed through the Food Bank.
What are the interests/skills of people who volunteer: Volunteers who are interested in young children in poverty are needed before holidays and special occasions.
Name of Contact Person: Alyce Kaehler at 484-1463 afkae65@hotmail.com
Steppin’ Out, Inc.
Activity Description: In 2002 CHUMS was asked by the Larimer County Department of Social Services to create a program for adolescents leaving foster care or other out-of-home-placement programs. The result was the Steppin’ Out program that assisted thirty (30) youths during the past five years with emergency assistance for college tuition, phone bill payments, food cards, clothes, bicycles, bus passes, automobile tires, medical needs, birthday and Christmas cards, gift cards, and many other items during the past five years.
Youth leaving out-of-home-placement lose much of their support system and Medicaid benefits and do not have other health insurance. Steppin' Out provides the following to 12 adolescents per year:
- Practical gifts and a recognition event with friends and family that serves to lift their low self-esteem.
- Each participant plans their recognition event with a volunteer from Steppin' Out.
- A Continued Contact Program to send gift cards to each former participant until they are 21 or 22 years old to maintain contact and identify needs.
What are the interests/skills of people who volunteer: Volunteers who are interested in helping adolescences who are beginning to live on their own are needed throughout the year but especially at holidays and special occasions.
Name of Contact Person: Alyce Kaehler at 484-1463 afkae65@hotmail.com
Crossroads Safehouse
Activity Description: Crossroads Safehouse provides support and assistance to women and children are working to overcome the pressures and implications associated with domestic violence as they put their lives back together. Children often have special needs in these situations and the Crossroads Safehouse provides individual attention and nurturing to assist them. First United Methodist has formed cooperation with Crossroads Safehouse to offer a new program to provide valuable learning experiences and social interaction to children and youth in transitional housing at Crossroads Safehouse or being assisted by Crossroads. It is entitled LEAD for Learning Enrichment Achievement. The program addresses the needs of infants to 18 year olds with enrichment sessions four days a week from 3:30 -5:00pm and on Sundays 3:30-6:30pm.
What are the interests and skills of volunteers: There are numerous ways volunteers can interact with the LEAD program. Volunteers are needed to comfort infants, read to toddlers, assist school age children with studies and homework, etc. Crossroads Safehouse also needs volunteers to respond to calls requesting information and referrals, to help youth properly manage their feelings, organize donations received by Crossroads provide safe housing for pets that belong to Crossroads clients and help with community events and fund raisers.
Contact information: Volunteer coordinator@crossroadssaehouse.org and 530-2353 or Alyce Kaehler at 484-1463 afkae65@hotmail.com
Kid’s Closet
Activity Description: The Kid’s Closet offers, clean, gently used Children’s clothing at no cost, and is available to families in our church and community in need.
View the Kid's Closet page >>
- Open Saturdays from 9-12 and Tuesdays from 3-7
- Located in the basement of the church, Administrative wing
- Always accepting donations and volunteers to assist. Donations can be left in the box at the foot of the stairs leading to the choir room in the basement.
- Particular needs:
- Someone to occasionally fill in during the open hours.
- Someone to take home the occasional bag of laundry (many donations come from school Lost & Found).
- Someone to pick up donations that aren't brought in.
- It would be nice to have something for kids to do while a parent is shopping so the Kid’s Closet welcomes donations of toys, games, puzzles for this purpose.
Kid's Closet Coordinator, Pat Hartman, 224-3116
Interest of Volunteers: Volunteers who are able and willing to wash and repair donated items are needed. Donations sometimes come in which are soiled and need cleaning and/or mending before they are put up for selection. The Kid’s Closet is normally staffed by a coordinator but there is sometimes a need for a volunteer to fill in during open hours on short notice in an emergency situation.
Contact Person: Pat Hartman at 970-224-3116 and hartman@frii.com
Special Offerings
Activity Description: FUMC promotes a special offering for a charitable cause each month. Most of these charities are through the United Methodist Church but some are independent charities which are generally local. Examples of charities supported during the last two years are: LAMMP (Larimer Association of Methodist Mission Partners), Camp Hope, One Great Hour of Sharing (supports the United Methodist Committee on Relief), Angola Mission, Global AIDS, Catholic Charities Northern, Tools and Blanket Sunday (Church World Service’s efforts for disaster relief and poverty). Habitat for Humanity Fort Collins and World Wide Communion. Special offerings were also collected for tornado relief in Holly and Windsor. Easter and Christmas offerings support the Church’s Wider Mission which includes the Rocky Mountain Conference’s charitable outreach.
Activity Timing: Special offerings occur throughout the year.
Interest of Volunteers: Persons who recognize that the church needs to reach out, with love, to the less fortunate in our local and world community. They get involved by increasing the awareness and need for the recipients of our special offerings through publicity and special programs. They also keep missions and outreach activities very visible to the congregation throughout the year.
Name of Contact Person: Jim Collinson at 377-9670 and jwcollinson@comcast.net
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