First Stacey Inman from the newly opened Davie Wellness Center came to speak to us. The new wellness center is located at the old credit union building in downtown Mocksville (142 Gaither St). It is free to all Davie county residents! Some of the services they offer include:
- Suicide Prevention
- Autism Workshop
- Dancing
- Mental 1st Aid Training (to deal effectively with those who are diagnosed with mental trouble or for the people who work with them).
- Yoga
- and tons more!
Next Jenna Hendricks came to share about Big Brothers/Big Sisters of whom she is a program coordinator. Jenna has worked in Davie Co. for 16 years as BBBS opened here in 1999.
Here are the mission goals of BBBS:
- to form long lasting, professionally supported relationships with adults and youth
- every child achieve success in life
- partners with parents, professionals, and schools
- usually the kids and youth come from single-parent homes (22%)
- boys and girls are served from the ages 6-18 years old
- 604 children were served last year
- So how can churches help? More volunteers are needed. Also churches can host BBBS events, such as a Christmas party.
- Email Jenna at jhendricks@bbbsnc.org if you are interested!
Our third presenter was Mary Doub, the vice chair of the Western NC Conference Building Team. The goal of the WNCC Building Team is to sponsor teams from many different churches to come together and serve as a team in mission. It's helpful in that some churches may have skilled and devoted volunteers but lack the numbers to form a team, this does it for them! In August the projects are announced (and they serve both here in the States and all over the world). Team leader training is available. Trip fees are all inclusive, though you'll need a passport. Read more about them at http://mission.wnccumc.org/building-teams/, where you can find downloadable flyers and info. Also email Mary at mldoub@earthlink.net if you have questions and/or if you are interested.
Next is a mission in development; Jerry Banks of 1st UMC is working toward hosting a weekly hot meal to families in need. 1st UMC has the facilities to host such a weekly meal in their family life center, and are seeking local Methodist churches to host a meal several times a year. The hours will be 5:30-7:00 pm, with time for eating and then a devotional. The suggested meal is soup and sandwiches. Right now Jerry is seeking names of contact people they can coordinate with. Please email Jerry at jerrybanks@yadtel.net for information or if you are interested.
Finally Ray Carter of Rice and Beans Ministries came to share. Their goal is to feed peoples in need in Costa Rica and share the love of God. It initially started out of a WNCC Building Team, and is now focused on providing food (rice and beans). Here's how it works:
- They first work in building new churches and facilities
- They then visit the neighboring homes in the villages which are often standing shacks
- Most of the work is done by students and adult leaders
- They host and lead VBS for the kids there
- They then deliver the food (rice, beans, corn meal, and milk)
- They also feed families at Christmas.
- Pray for the volunteers and the ministry
- Come and be a part of the team!
- Decorate, Pray Over, and Fill the meal bags! It's also an easy fundraiser. $12 covers one bag, and all the food is purchased in Costa Rica to support the local economy
- It's around $1700 per person to join the team. That's for one week and is all-inclusive.
Here's a link to a video that explains it all; https://vimeo.com/123093219
If you are interested, you can call Ray at 704-746-1745, friend him on Facebook, or visit their website at www.riceandbeansministries.com
Here are some upcoming mission dates to mark your calendars!
- From Nov. 16-23rd 1st UMC is collecting shoeboxes for Operation Shoebox. So if your church is collecting some, here's a local spot where they can be dropped off, save you a trip.
- Dec 9th, a Wednesday, Liberty UMC will be taking the bus with presents and volunteers to make Christmas gifts for the patients of Broughton Hospital. The bus will leave the Liberty parking lot at 8:00 am. All the folk from our sister churches are invited to join us! Call 336-284-2914 for more info
- On Dec. 27th, the last Sunday of December 1st UMC will be doing their annual mission project Stop Hunger Now. All churches are invited to participate either by sponsoring some meals and/or volunteering. The construction of the bags will start around 4pm. If you are interested call 1st UMC at 336-751-2503
- On Jan 24th Salem UMC will be hosting a Grief Share workshop from 3:00 - 4:30pm. Anyone who is suffering from grief and loss from the passing of a loved one (and it doesn't matter how recent) is invited to come. Call 336-492-7483 for more information.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Feb 9th, 2016, which happens to be Fat Tuesday! Unfortunately I forgot to ask for a church to volunteer hosting. So....any church that would like to host our next meeting, please email me at bcfishjedi@icloud.net.
Thanks, and have a great day!
