New opportunities in Mission Outreach

In our September survey, mission/outreach programs were cited as a primary emphasis by more members than any other area of church activities. We are now undertaking changes in our active and successful M/O program to better reflect the desires of our members, to provide a more predictable means of funding our programs and to provide increased opportunities for participation of all members in at least one of our M/O programs.
Specific changes include:

1. All Mt Zion M/O programs will be funded through the Unified budget and not through the discontinued monthly “Advanced Specials” – 10% of all member tithes and contributions will go to M/O, with 5.5% going to UMC Benevolences and 4.5% ($32,000 based on our 2008 budget) to Mt. Zion M/O programs – this requires that the 2008 tithes and offerings will be increased to reflect a member’s previous giving to the “Advanced Specials.”

2. We will use our Communion Sunday special offerings, which are given in addition to our regular tithes and offering, to continue support of six UMC designated special offerings, such as “One Great Hour of Sharing,” and to support six Mt. Zion designated special needs or responses to disasters such as Katrina.

3. We will emphasize programs having the active participation of members, and will end programs, other than support of two missionaries, lacking active member involvement.

4. We are currently asking members to identify existing or new programs about which they are passionate and in which they would be willing to participate.

Our goal is to reinvigorate and expand our M/O program primarily through the increased gifts of our hands, our talents, our hearts and our prayers. If you would like more information on these changes or on new or existing opportunities please contact Rod Barr or Jim Morrill. Or, please feel free to join us at one of the next M/O meetings on either Tuesday, February 12 or March 11.

Mission Opportunites

At Mt. Zion there are opportunities to serve in all areas of our mission and outreach program. Volunteers from Mt. Zion reach out to help the homeless and suffering, and to visit the sick, shut-in, and jailed. Consider joining the Missions Committee. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of most months at 7:30 P.M. in the library.

Missionaries

Our Missionaries love to hear from you. Call the church office at 410-531-5173 for names and addresses. Mount Zion has a covenant relationship with Nan and Miguel McCurdy in Nicaragua and Suzanne Porter in Central Asia.

Sandwiches for the Homeless

On the 2nd Sunday of each month during the Sunday School hour (or after the service in the summer) we make over 1500 sandwiches for the homeless in Washington, D.C. The sandwiches are taken to Martha's Table for delivery. Call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Congregations Concerned for the Homeless

A coalition of 35 churches dedicated to helping homeless families become self-sufficient. Call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Christian Children's Fund

The children we support love to write and hear from you. Call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Camp Hope Mission Team - 2007

Camp Hope

For many needy families in Appalachia, Camp Hope means warmer, safer homes brought to them by caring and enthusiastic young people. For the youth and adults from Mt. Zion who go, it means a week of hard work, sweat, blisters, dirt, tears, and a joy words can't express in sharing Christian concern for families, who are unable to provide the basics that are so easily taken for granted. Call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Springfield Hospital

Once a month volunteers meet with patients for refreshments and bingo. Call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Winter Wear

Each year we purchase discount thermal underwear to take to the Manna House soup kitchen in Baltimore. Call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Coalition for Compassion

To volunteer to help a crisis support center that our church financially supports, call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Christian Women's Thrift Shop

Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help sort donations on the same days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., especially from noon to 3 p.m. Youth can earn Community Service credits also. The support includes prayer, financial aid, advice, food, clothing, furniture, appliances, and volunteer assistance. For further information call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Christian Jail Ministry

This ministry, facilitated by a full-time chaplain, provides Sunday worship, weekly Bible classes, counseling, and funding for Bible correspondence courses. Call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Harmony Hall

Visit residents at Harmony Hall for songs, worship, and bible study. Call the church office at 410-531-5173.

Winterhaven faces record bed demand

By Dan Schwind - Laurel Leader

(12/6/07) Laurel's annual Winterhaven homeless shelter program for men kicked off last weekend with record numbers of participants, sparking concern about the program's capacity.

"More people signed up than ever before," said Steve Christofferson, a member of the Winterhaven board of directors. "We're seriously concerned that we won't have enough room at times."

He said 28 people signed up for the men's program on the first weekend of the annual shelter, which runs through March 15.

Read the rest of the story at the Laurel Leader

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