Outreach

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY – OCTOBER 12, 2020

The EPA Conference Committee on Native American Ministries (CoNAM) is making an “ appeal to churches to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday, Oct. 11, in lieu of Columbus Day on Oct. 12. The substitution is recommended to commemorate the lives, cultures and histories of indigenous people who were tragic victims of Christopher Columbus and other European explorers who brought massive deaths and destruction to the Americas that they claimed to “discover” and went on to conquer and colonize.” 

See the full article and more information on Native American Ministries at https://www.epaumc.org/news-information/racial-ethnic/native-american-ministries/2020/09/conam-provides-liturgy-to-celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day-in-oct-11/.

In her blog on September 26, 2018, Bishop Johnson wrote:  Across our country a number of states have changed “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous Peoples Day” or “Native Americans Day,” including Alaska, Minnesota, South Dakota and Vermont. Numerous cities and universities have followed suit.

What does this have to do with the church? In 2012 the General Conference of The United Methodist Church engaged in an “Act of Repentance and Healing for Indigenous People.” We learned how the church’s history was one of promoting genocide with no respect for the culture and rights of indigenous people all over the globe. We said we were sorry, but we also promised to improve some of our ways of knowing, living and being.  

See more at:  http://bishoppeggyjohnson.blogspot.com/2018/09/history-revisited.html.

Church and Society Committee

Mission Opportunity with Bethel Hill UMC

After Jesus’ resurrection, he spent 40 days appearing to his followers and encouraging them to continue his mission of loving God, loving neighbors, and proclaiming the coming of the New Kin-ship. As he ascended to heaven, he sent his people on a mission that continues with us. From April 9-11, volunteers are needed to build a house frame in the Lehigh Valley. Details are available here .

Bright Beginnings

Bright Beginnings is a nursey school operated through Lansdale UMC. We support Bright Beginnings financially to help offset tuition and supplies cost for those students who need assistance.  https://brightbeginnings.lansdaleumc.org/

Carpenters Calling

Carpenters Calling was started by Ruhl’s United Methodist Church in Lancaster, PA. The group sponsors mission trips with a focus on repairing and houses. Much of the work relates to damage from storms. Numerous members from Lansdale UMC have become active participants in this group. The group is no longer associated with Ruhl’s UMC, but the individuals from Lansdale UMC and various other churches still participate in the mission trips, which typically take place each spring and fall.

Glad Tidings

Glad Tidings is a Christmas Shop at Haws Avenue UMC in Norristown during the holiday season. Lansdale UMC supports Glad Tidings by sponsoring a Christmas giving tree.

Laurel House

Laurel House is a comprehensive domestic violence agency serving individuals, families and communities throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The agency’s name was selected because of the beauty of the laurel, Pennsylvania’s state flower. It represents a victory for people who have taken the courageous first step of reaching out to Laurel House in their efforts to build a violence-free life for themselves and their children. Missions supports Laurel House by sponsoring a Christmas giving tree.  https://laurel-house.org/

Liberty Ministries

Liberty Ministries exists to serve offenders in prison and ex-offenders in the community by showing God’s love, providing practical assistance and supporting biblical standards of justice.” Missions supports Liberty Ministries thought our special envelopes that focus on different needs each month. https://libertyministries.us/

Manna on Main Street

Manna on Main Street is committed to ending hunger in the North Penn region by providing food, fulfilling social service and education needs, and conducting community outreach. Through a food pantry and soup kitchen, emergency financial aid, counseling and referrals, and education opportunities, we serve those in need with the hope “that everyone might be fed.”  Missions supports Manna thought our special envelopes that focus on different needs each month. https://mannaonmain.org/

Methodist Services

Methodist Services provides life-enriching services to children, adults and families as they face the challenges of limited resources, increased poverty and homelessness, disability, inequities in education and behavioral health services. Quality services provided include housing, child care, education programs, permanence in families, mental health services and nutrition programs. Missions supports Methodist Services by sponsoring a Christmas giving tree. https://methodistservices.org/

Oak Park Elementary School

With the support and leadership of the Oak Park Guidance Department, Lansdale UMC has raised money for Oak Park’s Emergency Fund, which supports families of students who need financial assistance. We have also raised money to purchase Christmas gift for students of families who need financial assistance.

United Methodist Camps

The Eastern PA Conference owns and operates four unique, scenic camp and retreat centers spread across different regions of the conference: Pocono Plateau in the upper Northeast; Carson-Simpson Farm just north of Philadelphia; Innabah, more centrally located in Spring City; and Gretna Glen in the Northwest area. Lansdale UMC provides support for camps by raising money for camp needs, scholarships, and by sponsoring work days at Camp Innabah.  https://www.epaumc.org/ministry/camp-retreat/

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

UMCOR comes alongside those who suffer from natural or human-caused disasters – be it famine, hurricane, war, flood, fire or other events—to alleviate suffering and to be a source of help and hope for those left most vulnerable. We provide relief, response and long-term recovery grants when these events overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on their own. UMCOR also provides technical support and training for partners to address emerging and ongoing issues related to disaster relief, recovery, and long-term health and development. https://www.umcmission.org/umcor/learn

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM)

UMVIM is a short-term mission agency of the United Methodist Church. UMVIM exists to promote, encourage and enable Christians to exemplify “Christian Love in Action” through short-term mission service locally, nationally and internationally. https://www.umvim.org/what-is-umvim

Lansdale UMC God’s Youth in Motion (G.Y.M.) Youth Mission Trips: The Missions committee has supported youth mission trips with financial support and adult volunteers for an annual mission trip. For over 20 years the youth at LUMC have been involved in mission trips involving many types of construction work on houses.

Missionaries: Missions has raised money thought our special envelopes that focus on different needs each month. Some recent support was provided to Red Bird Mission, Steven de la Cruz, and Rayola Running Crane.

The Congregational Care Team is a small group of women and men who have heard God’s call to ministries of care for the soul. The human soul needs care and support in times of change or illness. When wanted or unwanted change comes in someone’s life, our church is ready to respond with trained and loving people. We offer support during and after hospitalizations, or monthly for delivering the Sacrament of Holy Communion, especially those homebound, or anytime someone feels the need for care. Our team meets quarterly to review our ministry, update caregivers’ records, and get training to grow our skills. Anyone who has a desire to serve and answer a call to caregiving may join our team. Currently, our team leader is the church’s pastor, who would be happy to answer questions about how to join our team or receive the ministry of our team. Please call us at 215-855-8364.