July 30, 2009

August is back to school month, or at least preparing for back to school month. We have several church activities revolving around schools. The Good Neighbor Center is collecting backpacks filled with school supplies. These backpacks will be given out to children of low income families who otherwise will not have any school supplies. The need for this program has grown exponentially since last year. The cuts in the state budget mean that even more supplies will be missing from our schools this year. It is a desperate situation.
At the direct request of Clay Elementary, Rolando UMC is collecting boxes of Kleenex specifically for Clay. With the H1N1 and other flu bugs around this fall is looking to be an extra heavy season for Kleenex. Your donations to this effort will be greatly appreciated.
As families struggle to meet their financial obligations more and more are finding themselves running out of money each and every month. The last week of August will be our next tri-yearly food drive for the Loaves and Fishes Food Ministry. The numbers of families coming each Sunday continues to climb each week. Our gifts are greatly appreciated.
A day of fun! On August 22, we are going to have a dinner, fun and games, and a celebration of all the missions and ministries we have accomplished over the past year or more. We hope to make this event an annual celebration. The first hour from 4 - 5 will be dedicated to outdoor fun including a dunk tank that Pastor John will be in. Come out and dunk the Pastor. There will be other water games for the kids in this hour. Dinner is being hosted by Marcia Carver. We are asking others to bring a salad or dessert to share. Invite your friends, neighbors, and strangers to this fun afternoon and evening.
In a church that is about Transforming the World, August is not a slow month around here. Join in the mission and feel God's presence, love, joy and hope more and more everyday.

God Bless,

Pastor John