Missions
(S.A.C.A.) is our local food shelf. The first Sunday of each month is food shelf Sunday where we are encouraged to bring food donations and make monetary donations to S.A.C.A. Many of our members volunteer to help package and sort the donations at the S.A.C.A. site. School supplies are collected in the fall and Christmas gifts for children are collected in November and December. The director of S.A.C.A. is also a long time member of our congregation. www.southernanokacommunityassistance.com/
Compatible Technology International
(CTI) is a nonprofit organization that alleviates hunger and poverty in the developing world by designing and distributing simple, life-changing food and water technologies. CTI was founded in 1981 by a group of missionaries, research engineers, and General Mills food scientists. The team formed an organization of skilled volunteers that would use its knowledge and expertise to help the poor use simple tools and local resources to resolve their food problems. CTI’s promotes food security by building and deploying devices that address the post harvest side of the food chain. Many organizations focus their efforts on seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation for cultivating crops, but few consider farmers’ post harvest needs. CTI’s devices help farmers process, store, and sell their crops—improving nutrition and providing economic opportunities for the rural poor. You can read a current CTI newsletter here:
http://compatibletechnology.org/publications/newsltrs_AnRep/2011%20Winter%20Post%20Harvest.htm
Short Term Volunteer in Missions
(STVIM) Many of our members participate in STVIM projects. One group goes to the Caribbean each year. The 2010 work team mission trip was to a Costa Rica UMW facility for early childhood education. The 2011 work team will again go to Costa Rica.
A Mission Opportunity - Tree of Life Ministry
Tree of Life Ministry was begun in 1985 to establish a Christian presence on the Rosebud Reservation. Over the years, several pastors saw the deplorable condition of most of the homes. Wanting to provide help to needy families, Tree of Life shifted its emphasis to give more concrete assistance. In 1995 small volunteer work groups were organized to make repairs to reservation homes. The ministry began to grow and expand its work, continually outgrowing the facilities it owned. Volunteers-in-Missions began coming from all around the United States as word of this ministry spread, and today we find groups coming from 20 different states and 12 denominations. Seven different universities also offer Tree of Life as an alternative Spring Break, or for cultural sensitivity training. Check out their website for more information.
http://treeofliferelief.org .
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
Another STVIM group goes to the UMCOR depot in Baldwin, Louisiana. This is where relief supplies are collected, sorted, and prepared for shipment when an emergency arises, either domestic or international. (
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/volunteer)
Paint-A-Thon
Each August we participate in the Metro Paint A Thon. A team of 15 to 20 members work together to scrape, prime, and paint a house. We have painted more than 25 houses over the years. (
http://www.gmcc.org/paint-a-thon)
