Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist

2010 COLLECTION FOR THE FESTIVAL OF SHARING

It¡®s getting to be that time of year again; time to start thinking about our contributions to the West Ohio Conference Festival of Sharing. It will be held this year on October 9 at Otterbein College. The Missions & Social Outreach Committee has once again decided to collect items for the individual health kits. It¡®s an easy thing to do; you can cut out this list and keep with you when you are out and about doing shopping, perhaps picking up one, two or more items to donate.

Each kit is put together using:

1 hand towel (approx. 16¡¬x28¡¬ ¨C no fingertip towels or bath towels) {2}

1 washcloth {28}

1 wide tooth sturdy comb (no ¨Drat-tail¡¬ combs) {2}

1 nail clipper (no emery boards or metal files) {6}

1 bar of bath size soap {14}

1 toothbrush in original packaging {11}

6 band-aids {2 boxes of 30 each)

Starting Sunday, August 8 and continuing through Sunday, September 19, I will have a box in the narthex for collecting items. I will have lists available of items needed and try to keep you up to date through the weekly newsletter of our numbers so you can see what items may be in greater need for the collection. I have included in brackets above the number of each item I have left from last year¡®s collection. We can also use donations as we have to pay $2 for each kit for shipping/handling/storage.

I thank you as always for your willingness to help with this endeavor. Most of us take for granted the hygiene items listed above, but for those people who are displaced due to natural disasters, etc. these items can make a huge difference. Last year¡®s Festival of Sharing helped generate $132,785.61 for 23 mission projects directed at the hungry and homeless. Please feel free to call or contact me with any questions you might have. Thank you for your support! Sue Martin (478-7498) on behalf of the Missions and Social Outreach Committee.

INVEST ONE HOUR A WEEK TO CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE—
STARTING SEPTEMBER 2010

In 2007, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Ohio joined forces with the Columbus City Schools to create Project Mentor to help city school students graduate and empower them for a lifetime of success. Volunteers spend one hour per week and mentor students at a nearby school. An independent national study recently demonstrated that school-based mentoring makes a real difference in the lives of school children, including reducing truancy rates and improving grades. COGS hopes to enter into a partnership with BB/BS and provide mentoring opportunities for students at Beechcroft High School. BB/BS provides training for mentors, and several training dates are available from late July through the end of August. WE NEED VOLUNTEER MENTORS TO HELP TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNITY ONE CHILD AT A TIME! Please call or e-mail Jo Paul, Community Relations Liaison, on 614-360-8288 or jopaulogp@sbcglobal.net for further information. This project is a part of Missions and Social Outreach Committee.

YOUR BLOOD IS NEEDED
DONATE AT A LOCAL BLOOD DRIVE IN YOUR AREA

His mother and I have a conflict in our blood groups. So back in the last century our son was born with a problem. He was rushed to Cleveland to begin a series of transfusions, which in the first days of his life exchanged his entire blood supply several times. Back in those days a blood transfusion was a relatively rare event, and the blood supply and the economics of the system required that the blood be replaced by other donors and there was a charge of $35 per unit.

Recently it took four hours to drip two units of blood into the writer. You should see me go up stairs three steps at a time! The blood was needed and so they went down to the Blood Bank to pick it up. No problem. No talk of replacing it. No discussion of cost.

The Red Cross needs your blood. It is for people in need. Will you consider donating at a local blood drive? Please tell them Jim and Jimmy sent you.

Jim Boyd, Sr. for the Missions and Social Outreach Committee

Touching Little Lives

As of May 1, the Kroger Company has dedicated $5,000,000 to support community efforts where its associates live and work. You can go online and sign up with your Kroger Plus card number and specify “Touching Little Lives” as your charity. The address for this secure web site is http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com. If you do not have internet access, you can ask a friend to help you. Then all you have to do is use your Kroger Plus card and “Touching Little Lives” will benefit. To find out more about “Touching Little Lives” check out their website. 

Again, thanks to all of you who regularly make baby hats, receiving blankets, quilts, afghans, etc. Be sure all of been laundered before you give them to Helen Miller.

YWCA FAMILY CENTER UPDATE

The YWCA Family Center is the only “front door” emergency shelter in central Ohio, offering safe accommodations, meals, key support services and childcare to homeless Franklin county families.

Commitment to serve as an innovative center of excellence that transforms people’s lives remains strong; yet, the challenges faced by the families being served continue to grow. The weak economy increases the likelihood of even greater challenges for central Ohio families.

As always, the YWCA appreciates our generous contributions. COGS continues to be a part of the work to transform lives.  Recently we had a Diaper Sunday.  The church family placed diapers at the altar to be taken to the center.  The support of our congregation is greatly appreciated.