Missions News

February Missions Project - the value of an education:
Africa University in Zimbabwe has been supported by the North Indiana Conference since its beginning 16 years ago. Its stated mission is to train leaders for the nations of Africa and there are students from 26 African nations in attendance. Africa University is continually expanding its resources, degrees offered and its campuses. The only way most young Africans can afford to attend Africa University is through scholarships. With your help, we can help a student complete his or her education.

Along with this project, our church has been asked to help students from the UPENDO program (this group worships in our church on Sunday afternoons) with their purchase of books for this semester. These African students attend IPFW on tuition scholarships but must provide their own books and study materials. This has proven to be a hardship for several of the students and our support would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to contribute to either or both of these worthwhile projects, please mark your pew envelop “scholarships” or “UPENDO” or just “February mission”. Thank you for your support on these two projects.

Mission Giving:
The mission offering is collected at the communion railing on the first Sunday of the month; however, giving by envelope via the collection plate is certainly accepted at any time during the month. J The mission team selects a project for the month based on local, national, and global needs. Many of these projects are supported/encouraged by the United Methodist Church. Donations at the rail or envelopes mark “Month Project” will be applied to that selected project. Envelopes marked only “mission” will go toward the mission’s general fund, allowing the mission team flexibility to attend to other needs that might arise. Your offering may go to any church mission project you wish to support. (For example – camp scholarships, Habitat for Humanity, Heifer Project).

Mission Projects for 2008:
The mission ministry team has again been considering projects for the coming 2008 year. Many of the projects that were supported last year have been approved for this year. With a few new ones added.

Our goal has consistently been, to provide the members of Saint Joseph, projects and concerns that support the United Methodist Church guidelines and also allow for giving on the local, national and global level. In this way, you have the opportunity to be involved in what the UMC is doing worldwide through its missions and missionaries, through UMCOR emergencies and concerns, as well as, causes close to home.

The congregation at Saint Joseph has been generous in its giving this past year and we look forward to your continued support this year. The ministry team is always looking for people with a passion for mission. If you feel that describes you and you want more information, please give Betsy a call at the church office, 485-9681 x 15.