Outreach

First United Methodist Church in the Wausau Community and World

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Missions Update

Our loose change offerings have supported our mission projects over past years. But with not meeting for the past months those donations have declined.

We continue to provide assistance to those in need but the available funds are diminished. I would like to encourage everyone who is able to, send a check or drop a donation in the secure mail slot at the Third St entrance.

For August and September the donation will be used for the Community Dinner on the 5thSundays.

Thank You,

Ray Nowaczyk Missions Committee Chair

Remember that the Mission Offering must be clearly marked. Either write a note on your check or use the brown envelopes in the back of the pew. Just loose change in the offering plate will not go to the monthly offering.

Our Vision:

Led by God to change lives and transform the world.

Downtown Memory Café

We celebrated five years of outreach ministry in May of this year. We meet the 3rd Thursday of each month. Memory Cafés are for those experiencing early stage dementia, mild memory loss or cognitive impairment – accompanied by their care partners, family or friends. Sing-alongs, programs, conversation, activities and refreshments are offered each month by dementia-trained volunteers. Consider escorting a friend or loved one to a Downtown Memory Café. Free!

For more information, please contact the church office at 715.842.2201; or Maggie Schoenfeld at 715-842- 9809, or memorycafe@fumcwausau.org

Campbell’s Labels
and
Milk Moola Caps

Many of us have been saving labels from Campbell’s cans to be redeemed by Northcott Neighborhood House in Milwaukee. This month, Campbell’s is discontinuing this program, so we will no longer be collecting those at the church.

Also, please bring in any “Milk Moola” caps from milk purchased at Kwik Trip stores as soon as possible. The caps will be taken to Mission u in Wisconsin Rapids July 24th.

UMW, Making Mission Practical

Fair Trade - Equal Exchange Coffee. This is a small gesture you can make to provide fair wages to coffee, tea, and cocoa producers throughout the world. It can be your personal mission project!

Tanzanian Jubilee Coffee and Café’ Salvador are regular drip grind coffee and are the most popular. Decaf, drip grind, organic whole bean and flavored coffees are available also, as are organic hot cocoa mix and herbal/organic tea. Supplies are in the cupboard next to the fireplace in the parlor.

Regular ground - $8
Whole bean - $8
Ground flavored - $9
All decaf - $9
All teas - $4
Hot Chocolate - $6
Organic very dark Chocolate bars - $3

To purchase take your product, place the money (check or cash) in a brown envelope (in the cupboard) and put the envelope in the drop slot near the church office.

We would like to fill up the pages of our newsletter. If there is an event, celebration or piece of news you would like to share, please call the office at 715-842-2201 or email joan@fumcwausau.org

FUMC is hosting a Blood Drive on September 10 from Noon-4pm in partnership with the Blood Center of Wisconsin. All the blood donated goes to saving lives in Wisconsin hospitals or used by Wisconsin researchers working to eradicate childhood diseases. In addition, all donors are now able to find out if they have COVID-19 antibodies. Please donate, and invite your friends as well!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Cedar Rapids Recover Mission Trip

On August 10th a severe wind storm hit the Cedar Rapids, IA area exceptionally hard. Above is a picture of the church where I attended as a college student. The damage and priorities are still being assessed, abut I anticipate that sometime in October they will be ready for our help. There are thousands of homes that need significant repairs, tree and debris removal, and preparations to get through the winter safely. In addition to outdoor workers, a pair of cooks to prepare meals and bring lunch to work sites would be helpful.

Some good friends in Cedar Rapids have offered to host a group from our church in their 7000 sq. ft. home. They have a separate kitchen, many comfortable bedrooms for older backs, and a lot of space to spread out on cots if any of our middle or high school youth are available to go while they continue with virtual education. I’m anticipating this will be a 4-5 day trip. Please contact me if you’re interested in go-ing or supporting in any way so I can work on coordination the logistics.

Learning Faithfulness in Storms,Pastor Rebecca715-842-2201Rebecca@fumcwausau.org

Mission Team Project

When people go through hard times, they often find comfort in their pets. Many who are going through financial hardships have to sadly surrender their animals because they can’t afford to buy them food while they are unemployed, or they sacrifice their own nutrition so their animal can eat.

The Mission Team is wondering if there is interest from a group of people who would like to establish and run a Pet Needs Closet at first UMC. We could use the empty room next to the Personal Needs Closet rooms to store dog and cat food, cat litter; and other pet supplies that can be shared with people in need to help keep people and their pets together and fed.

If you love pets and are interested in serving those who need temporary help caring for their animals, please contact Pastor Rebecca via email or church phone. We need a variety of people to serve in helping clarify the vision and get this established as a new mission, get donations of supplies and money, and helping with distribution. If this is a way God is calling you to be caretaker of the earth and its creatures, then we look forward to your involvement!