Opportunities To Serve

There is a continual need for toothbrushes, toothpaste and school supplies for the children of the Dominican Republic.  Especially needed are spiral notebooks, pens and pencils.  Erasers, pencil sharpeners and crayons are also needed.  They may be tagged for the DR and left in Reinecke Mission Hallway or given directly to the Hulls.

 

The Compassionate Knitters meet at 1 PM on Wednesdays (summer excluded).  Don't know how to knit?  They will teach you and you'll start with a very easy project.  Their primary focus is prayer shawls for Carroll Hospital Center, scarves and mittens for The Shepherd's Staff, and sweaters for an Indian reservation in North Dakota.  Contact:  Helen Wolfe, 410-857-1011

A basket is in Reinecke Mission Hallway to receive new and used tennis balls.  Sponsored by The Least of These Ministries, the balls are sent to children in the Dominican Republic.  A couple of tennis balls may seem minor to us, but to a child who has no other toys, they are priceless!

Red Cross Blood Drives are scheduled annually during the spring and the fall.  The next drive will be  November 8.   To schedule your life-saving appointment, contact the church office, 410-848-8325.

The Least of These Ministries schedules a couple trips per year to the DR.  For information, contact Steve  or Ann Hull at 410-848-2128.

The Yellow Bucket is in the narthex on the first Sunday of each month to receive donations toward our church's mission projects. These donations help to fund "unbudgeted" projects throughout the year.

On the third Sunday of each month, a copper bucket is in the narthex to receive your loose pennies.  This is a project of our United Methodist Women, whose goal it is to collect a "mile of pennies" to support The Board of Child Care.  Our first "mile of pennies" (the equivalent of $844.80) was sent to The Shepherd's Staff.

Westminster UMC is a member of the community-wide Loaves and Fishes (Soup Kitchen) Ministry.   Every Monday at noon, we provide a hot meal in Jubilee Hall for anyone in need.  This  ministry is funded totally by donations.  To contribute, please make your check payable to Westminster UMC and mark it for "Loaves & Fishes."

Donations of dry and canned foods are received on the fourth Sunday of every month for Carroll County Food Sunday, our local food bank.  To donate financially, please make your check payable to Westminster UMC and mark it for CCFS.

Cancelled postage stamps (U.S. and foreign) are collected throughout the year.  They are forwarded to Asbury Home in Gaithersburg.  The Asbury Home raises funds by selling the stamps to distributors.  Please leave at least 1/8" around the stamps.  Foreign stamps should be left on the envelopes.   A collection box is located by the mail slots near the downstairs elevator, or they may be brought to the church office.

We participate in the Campbell's Labels for Education Programs.  Save your labels and they help earn classroom equipment, athletic equipment, etc. for The Board of Child Care.  Eligible products include Campbell's, Prego, V8, Franco-American, Swanson, Pepperidge Farm, and Spaghettios.   Only the UPC's are needed.  A collection box is located next to the mail boxes by the downstairs elevator.

 

The Board of Child Care of The United Methodist Church is a nonprofit organization that offers a multi-tiered array of services for children, youth and their families who are affected by poverty, abuse, neglect and developmental difficulties.  Their services include:

 

        ~  Residential care for children and youth who cannot live with their families

        ~  Mental health clinic for children and families

        ~  Licensing in Maryland as an adoption agency

        ~  Early childhood education center

        ~  Foster care program (located in Washington, D.C.)

        ~  Emergency shelter for youth ages 9-17

        ~  Strawbridge School for students in grades 5-12 with unique academic and/or emotional needs