Hello, My Name Is.....

Hello,
 My name is Rachel Beach. I am one of the co-chairs of the Outreach Committee at St. James United Methodist Church. I have been serving on the Outreach Committee for about a year and a half now. It has been a great experience so far! One of my favorite parts is helping the congregation get connected with local and national ministries.

 I am also involved with the young adults ministry at St. James. This summer the young adults will be hosting a number of social events. If you are interested in attending, let me know! Besides social events, we are also planning a handful of community service projects for the summer. In the Fall we will be starting up a new Bible Study series. If you recommend a study, we are open to ideas.

 When I am not participating in church activities, I work at Christ For the City International, CFCI. CFCI is an international missions organization committed to serving others in the name of Christ. We have over 350 mission workers in 16 countries serving through more than 70 different ministries. (www.cfci.org) I help with Urban Plunge which is a ministry under CFCI. Urban Plunge is a week or weekend experience where church and school groups are invited into the inner-city. The groups are able to visit 7-9 different ministries in one weekend! (www.urbanplunge.com) I help create the group's schedules and prepare the groups for their trip. I also do a number of follow-up activities after a group has gone on the Plunge. If your church group is interested in going on a Plunge, please feel free to contact me.

Have a blessed day!
  - Rachel

Disaster Response

If you are like me, you sometimes wonder what happens to the money you send for disaster relief. And also if you believe what you hear on the radio and other media, the Red Cross is the best place to send your relief dollars. The Red Cross, of course, does tremendous work in disaster relief, but our own United Methodist Committee on Relief is often there as first responders as well. And the United Methodist Church is often still there when others have gone home. UMCOR works with other responders, and every dollar you give to a UMC Advance fund is used for that fund, not administration costs. Your mission share dollars already pay for the administrative costs. Here are some facts about UMCOR and FEMA:
http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Resources/News-Stories/2013/June/0621-Facts-About-FEMA







As of June 19, donations to the May Tornado Disaster Fund have exceeded $1 million. Those who still wish to donate may do so through UMCOR on-line now for Disaster Response, United States Advance #901670. or through your local church, Advance #901670.

Posted by Kathy Liebenguth

Why Ministry Teams

"Then the King will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me"
- Matthew 25: 34-40

I like this passage because God is calling us to love on those who our society tells us to ignore. We are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned. This passage provides numerous ways we are called to get involved with our community. One of the ways that the Outreach Committee is trying to get more involved with our community and to meet the needs of those who are hurting, is by creating ministry teams. Our hope is that the ministry teams will create opportunities for our congregation to get out of the pew and show Christ's love to others. How is God calling you to show his love to the hungry, homeless, and imprisoned today?

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Our Committee

The Outreach Committee at St. James United Methodist Church is co-chaired by Rachel Beach and Kathy Liebenguth. Having attended the Leadership Conference at Church of the Resurrection UMC in Leawood, KS, last October, we have decided to implement a similar way of doing outreach ministry to that church. Their passion is missions; they have founded their church on outreach; they ask prospective members what outreach ministry is their interest.

We are currently in the process of revitalizing this ministry and are looking at ways to reach people through social media and other technology. We hope to not only inform our congregants of mission opportunities but to develop a caring network of people who will respond to the call of discipleship. 

Welcome to the Outreach Ministry blog.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16