Monthly Mission News

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May Mission News

Monthly Mission Focus
Kapanga/Congo Water Project

It is Spring! Time to clean out the garage, barn or shed holding those items which you can bring to our Metal Recycling area in the parking lot at the back of the church off the alley. Think of it this way……You are reducing waste in the landfill and the clutter taking up your valuable space, while benefitting a most worthy cause.

We take our own access to clean water for granted. In many parts of the world people are not so fortunate. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), years of civil war destroyed much of the already poor infrastructure for electricity and water. DRC is the second poorest country in the world. In 2013, Congo Projects for Relief (CPR) was formed to address needs in the area of health and literacy in the Katanga Province of the Congo. CPR is working to provide a sustainable water system for the village of Musumba in the Kapanga District of Congo. Musumba is a village of about 45,000 people with expected growth to 60,000 in coming years. This is an all-volunteer project with no paid staff, keeping overhead small and travel expenses limited. Each of your contributions goes a long way for this project. CPR’s work is done with the support of the Tribal Chief and the Musumba Water Committee. As of 2019, CPR had drilled a 150feet deep well, installed a high volume electric pump, and built a 500,000 liter storage facility.

As you can imagine, COVID-19 affected this project and communication was limited. No travel was permitted but as of last year at this time, the well was pumping on a daily basis and providing consistent increasingly clean water to the village. The Congolese had been managing the project. The country is now opened to travelers and a trip is planned for October 2021 focused on repairs. A lightning strike caused some damage, like a leaking water tank, incorrectly functioning booster pumps, and distribution lines in need of repair. The team will not know the full scope of needs until they arrive. In the long-range vision, the plan is still to get water to the village hospital, design a new distribution system to be installed by the village, and to install water meters at taps to judge usage and enable residents to be billed. All of these are important steps to achieve the goal of creating a self-sufficient water utility.

You'll find more information in the church newsletter about the items we recycle, but we accept ALL metal, small to large: from aluminum cans to broken appliances. This is a year-round project of our church Mission Team. Special and ongoing thanks to Trustee Larry Ellison, who sorts, loads and delivers all of our donations to a local recycling center.

We also gladly accept monetary donations for this cause; just note "Congo Water project" on your check. MANY THANKS!

Thank You!

Missions Giving updates:

Habitat for Humanity: $500 from our Winter Soup Sale Proceeds were sent to support the Greeley/Weld Habitat for Humanity Faith Build. (See info below!)

Our 2020 Christmas Eve Offering was shared between UMCOR US Disaster Relief and the Guadalupe Community Center meals. Guadalupe Center meal fund received $360 and UMCOR received $100.

Thank you for your support of our Covenant Missionary Partnership with Jennifer Moore in North Macedonia. Your giving of $639 this year and $340 carryover from last year, along with funds raised in our Soup Sale, allow us to send $1100 to the UM General Board of Global Ministries for support of Jennifer’s mission work in North Macedonia.

News from Jennifer Moore in North Macedonia:

Dear Friends, thank you for praying. I am thrilled to report that according to unicef.org the North Macedonian government received 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on March 28th from COVAX, a joint partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and the WHO. The government is currently vaccinating medical workers, teachers, people over the age of 77, and other priority groups. North Macedonia is scheduled to receive 76,000 additional AstraZeneca vaccines this month so hopefully the benefits of the vaccination program will begin to show in the population soon. Unfortunately, the number of infections and deaths has only risen since I last asked for prayer. We are averaging 40 to 50 deaths a day and are now under an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Please keep praying for us that the infections and death rate will go down. On a positive note, the Commission for Work with Children and Youth started online Sunday School classes for children this past Sunday. We had three children attend, and it was a joy to be with them talking about Noah and singing Sunday School songs. The theme for the lesson was “God always has a plan.” Please pray that these children will remain interested and that others would join us until it is safe to begin meeting in person again.

In Him, Jennifer Moore

Habitat for Humanity 2021 Faith Build is happening! In the past, we were able to write a blessing to the family on the actual ceiling boards. This year, you may go online here: H4H Faith Build and scroll down to learn about our 2021 family, and leave your name and blessing for Patricia, Stephanie, and their 2 daughters. A Habitat team member will go out to the site and write your blessing into the walls or ceiling of their new home.

The Missions Team invites You to join us. You may get involved as little or as much as you would like. We are currently meeting via Zoom on the 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Our Zoom meeting link (button below) is also posted in the church newsletter. The next meeting is on Tuesday, May 18th at 2:00PM!

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April Mission News

Monthly Mission Focus:
Gideon's International

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19
This Scripture describes the Gideon's Mission and is also a primary church mission. Gideons partner with our church to enable that mission worldwide. Even with Covid-19, in 2020 they distributed 66 million Bibles in 200 countries and 104 languages. This included Northern Colorado, from the familiar hotel/motel Bibles, hospitals, doctor's’ offices, first responders, jails, middle schools, high schools, and CSU, NCU, Front Range, and UW. Your donations allow you to help the Gideons to make this possible, both here and abroad. Be sure to mark your donation “Missions/Gideons,” by giving cash, check or online. Greeting Cards are another means of support. The cards are available in Fellowship Hall. With every Gideon Card you send, your donation provides Bibles and New Testaments to be distributed around the world. Thank you for supporting this most vital church mission. If you have any questions, please speak with our local Gideon, Warren Wilson.

UMCOR is communicating with conference disaster response coordinators throughout the Southeast United States as they assess the critical needs of those impacted by this week’s severe storms.

Your gifts to UMCOR’s U.S. Disaster Response fund will make a difference in the lives of those experiencing loss of life and homes.

Please give to UMCOR, today!

Feed My Starving Children
Collection boxes are located in the back of the sanctuary and in the church lobby. FMSC continues to pack and send food for hungry children around the world. A donation of a just quarter, feeds a child.

Guadalupe Community Center current needs:
Do you have a set of everyday kitchenware such as plates, silverware, drinking glasses or bowls taking up space in your kitchen? Guadalupe can put those items to good use. As their clients transition from the shelter to their new homes, they need basic items to get started. These donations are very helpful in offsetting the cost of beginning a new life. Please drop off any items in the purple box in the church lobby. We continue to collect New warm clothing, especially insulated gloves and socks. Thank You!

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March Mission News

Hear Missionary Jennifer discuss the resiliency of the North Macedonian people in the pandemic

Monthly Mission Focus:
Covenant Missionary Partnership

We at the First United Methodist Church (UMC) of Windsor first met Jennifer Moore, United Methodist Missionary to North Macedonia, in 2019. A bright young woman with an obvious passion for Jesus, we decided to sponsor her ministry. This year we enter our second year of a Covenant partnership relationship.

Jennifer Moore has served as a full-time Missionary to this small Eastern European country since May 2016. Her main focus is leadership development within the church and youth group. She works with local pastors and leads the Translation Team for developing literature in the Macedonian language for use in various ministries (pictured below). Jennifer is deeply involved developing ministries for women, children and youth. Click here for her recent newsletter.

The UMC Covenant Missionary Partnership offers local churches close connections with global mission work through financial, spiritual, and emotional support. It is much more than a financial obligation; it is a growing relationship where the church and the missionary pray for one another and communicate regularly. Each Covenant Relationship is based on the commitment of $5 per church member per year. If you would like to join this exciting work, any amount you give is appreciated! Please make checks out to FUMC Windsor, noting “Missionary Support,” place cash in a marked envelope, or give online.

We look forward to learning more about Jennifer and the fascinating country of North Macedonia. Please check out the poster in the church lobby for more information and photos. To close, an excerpt from a letter Jennifer sent last week:

“We had a really bad spike in [Covid-19] cases in November and December and while the number of new cases has gone down, it is still pretty high for our small country. The country got its first batch of 4,500 vaccines last week from Serbia, which is great. However, I heard that morale among the medical personnel is pretty low as they are just exhausted. The virus has hit the protestant community pretty hard these last few weeks with 2 deaths that I know of in our church, the Evangelical church losing their senior pastor, and an outbreak of infections in another church including several hospitalizations. I thank the Lord that I have thus far been spared from contracting COVID... It's so easy to feel disconnected as "socially distanced" feels more and more like the norm. I am thankful to be a part of a broader church network and reminded that I am connected to and being prayed for by a larger system of brothers and sisters around the world. In Him, Jennifer"

If you would like to send Jennifer a word of encouragement, you may email her at: [email protected], call her at telephone +389 78.757.422, or write to her at:
UL. PARISKA BR. 22/1-14
1000 SKOPJE KARPOSH
R. NORTH MACEDONI

UMCOR DAY: March 14
When floodwaters destroyed homes in Colorado, we responded.
When tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, we responded.
When children in Zimbabwe lost parents to AIDS, we responded.
When a massive tsunami devastated lives in Japan, we responded.
And when the next mass crisis occurs, we will be prepared to respond.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) offers aid in Jesus’ name to those who suffer. United Methodists make special financial gifts on UMCOR Sunday, (formerly called One Great Hour of Sharing). In fact, it’s your generous giving that allows us to respond when disaster strikes. When You Give on UMCOR DAY, you equip Christ’s Body to serve in His name, acting as the arms and legs of Christ’s church, moving toward the most vulnerable in their darkest days. Convinced that all people have God-given worth and dignity— without regard to race, religion or gender— together we are assisting those impacted by crisis or chronic need. Because you give, the United Methodist Church’s compassionate response to human suffering continues today.
Consider clicking here to give by next Sunday, March 14, noting UMCOR.

Thank you to all who supported our fundraising Soup Sale. It was a great success, which we plan to repeat in the future. We have made nearly $800, some of which is from generous donations. Thank You!

Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication:

This past Friday, Marilyn and Rob Bradley were able to attend and participate in the home dedication for the Habitat for Humanity 2020 homes for Thomas and Jackie. Watch for information to come for the 2021 Faith Build home.

It’s still cold outside! We will continue our collection of new, warm socks and insulated gloves, as well as factory-packed snack items like Rice Krispie treats, cookies, etc, for the Guadalupe Cold Weather Shelter. They also need toothpaste, deodorant, foot powder and adult backpacks. The collection box will remain in the entry through March. Thank You.

We want to remind you of our Recycling program. Metal recycling is behind the church in the fenced, marked area. All types are accepted; please rinse and sort your cans. This program supports our Water Well Project in Congo. Help us turn Trash into Cash (and clean water)!

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Missions Updates

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February Mission Blast

SOUP SALE! FUNDRAISER

The Missions Team will sponsor a Soup Sale this month to support Mission Projects. We will offer two delicious options, Chicken Orzo (pasta, pictured) or Beef Chili (gluten free) at $10/qt. You may pick-up your soup on Sunday, February 21st, from 11:00AM-2:00PM at the church. To help us in planning, please click here to pre-order. There will be extra soup for sale on pick-up day. Please place pre-orders by Friday, February 12th.

February Mission Focus
Habitat for Humanity

The Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

We are excited to start our fourth year partnering with Habitat for Humanity (H4H). Greeley-Weld H4H is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles, founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

Our annual Faith Build shows the power of God’s love by uniting diverse local churches to help build a home for a family in our community. The COVID pandemic has had an impact, but in 2020 construction continued with safeguards to protect the volunteers. We only had 5 "builders" from our church last year, but we hope to welcome more this summer. The home we helped build (pictured below) was just certified for occupancy, and we will have a virtual dedication soon. Thomas (pictured below in wheelchair, left) can't wait to move in!

It is a little too early for 2021 Faith Build specifics, but Thrivent Financial did agree to sponsor us again, and the family will soon be announced. Begin supporting this project now by ordering from our Soup Sale, dropping off or mailing a check to the church (noting Missions/H4H), or give online here (note: H4H). Thank You for helping us safely house our neighbors!

Feeding our Neighbors
First UMC Windsor will continue to support the Guadalupe Center in Greeley, by providing meals on each 5th Monday and Thursday evening. This totals 8 meals in 2021. If you would like to help prepare and serve a meal at Guadalupe, please contact Francy Henderson at 970-214-1475.

The Missions Team invites You to join us. You may get involved as little or as much as you would like. We are currently meeting via Zoom on the 3rd Tuesdays of each month. The Zoom meeting link (press button below) will also be posted in the church newsletter. The next meeting is on February 16th, at 2:00PM. Please join us!

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January Mission Blast

The Mission Team thanks you for your overwhelming support of Missions, even through this unusual past year of challenges. We look forward to a New Year full of hope.

January Mission Focus
Feed My Starving Children has been an ongoing mission project of FUMC-Windsor for 5 years. FMSC is a Christian organization that provides meals (by way of Manna Packs which are a combination of nutritious ingredients including protein and vitamins) to children in 70 countries around the world. In January of 2020, Jess Eischeus with FMSC reported about Rosa, a 9 year old in rural Nicaragua. Her father had no work and struggled to feed her family. She had anemia, recurrent pneumonia and was “barely hanging on”. An FMSC feeding program was started near her home where she and her family received help. She steadily grew stronger and her health improved so that she can play and learn with other children. Rosa is one of 30,0000 in Nicaragua receiving nutritious meals from FMSC. Our congregation has supported these efforts through monetary donations. We also volunteer in large groups at Slammin Famine every February where we pack meals with many other volunteers from our area. FMSC has not been able to use volunteers or hold these large packing events since the onset of COVID-19. They have used mechanical packing methods; inmates are packing some meals and paid staff are packing some meals. This has reduced their capacity by half and increased costs, but the needs are not only the same but increasing due to the pandemic. Our church has not been able to collect the spare change in boxes on a consistent basis since the beginning of the pandemic. Please consider a designated gift for this mission by giving online at: www.firstumcwindsor.com/donate or by mailing a check or dropping off donations to the church. Your donations truly do impact the lives of children daily.

NEWS FROM OUR MISSIONARY, JENNIFER MOORE, IN NORTH MACEDONIA:
“I hope you are doing well this holiday season.
Christmas is when God gave us His most precious gift, His Son, so His presence could be always with us. As we are increasingly separated from the presence of others during this pandemic, I pray the presence of God be even nearer and sweeter to you.
Merry Christmas!!
Jennifer and Lizzy (Jennifer’s cat)

Click here for Jennifer’s latest newsletters….

CHRISTMAS GIFT UPDATE:
Thank you for your support of our Christmas Missions. We were able to mail off 12 gift boxes to the Blackfoot United Methodist Parish in Montana, as well as 46 boxes for Operation Christmas Child!
Rob Bradley reported many gifts purchased through the Optimist Clubs, Santa’s Toy Shop.
In addition, Sandi and Bill Hill thank you for your support of Toys for Tots. You gave three large boxes of gifts for local Children. A lot of children enjoyed a happier Christmas because of your generosity. Thank You All!

CHRISTMAS OFFERING UPDATE:
The Special Christmas Offering brought in $460 which will be used to supplement our Mission Projects as needed. Thank you!

GUADALUPE UPDATE:
The collection of New, warm clothing, socks, insulated gloves, factory wrapped snack items, etc, for the Cold Weather shelter, will continue through the winter. Many Thanks to all who have donated items. We have delivered items with an approximate value to $350! These have been such a gift and they are very grateful!

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