Outreach Committee

 

The Outreach Committee, with the full endorsement of the Church Council, will begin a new ministry to the greater Mineral area in 2011. This is a church-wide effort so lots of volunteers and support will be needed. Help is welcome from all individuals, churches, denominations, and organizations. Please pray for its success, and ultimately its ending because it is no longer needed when the VISION is accomplished. Contact any member of the Outreach Committee with questions or to sign up to help.

 

 

 

Executive Summary: Mineral United Methodist Church shall put forth every necessary effort to provide a free (Open Hearts), hot, nutritious evening meal once per month (initially) to anyone (Open Minds) who comes through our Open Doors. There will be no charge to any guest. Funding for the food will come from donations or the Mineral UMC annual budget. Labor will be by church member and non-member volunteers. The primary goal of this mission: feed any and all guests. The secondary goal is to expose the unchurched to the love of Christ in an environment of unconditional Christian love.

 

Background: For the past several years, individuals and small groups have informally discussed various plans to answer Jesus’ call to “Feed my lambs.” Much good has been done by donating staples to the Louisa Resource Council Food Bank as well as establishing our own emergency food repository at Mineral UMC. Other opportunities have been addressed on a case by case basis, but no consistent Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors meals to the needy program has resulted. With God’s help, now is the time to expand our Outreach to the greater Mineral community. The Outreach Committee began serious planning for a mission to feed the hungry in 2010. After several discussions at regular Outreach meetings, this plan was devised by the Outreach Committee for submission to the Church Council on December 6, 2010. The requested start date is Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

 

Implementation: Meals will be served on the last Tuesday of each month between 5:00PM and 7:00PM. They will be served in Gibson Hall. Menus will be simple, nutritious and expandable on the fly. The bill of fare must be able to be created quickly and expanded spontaneously as more and more people learn of this service and come to visit. For instance, since initial participation is unknown, planning should include food for many, but only be cooked for a few. More packages or cans will be opened as needed. Disposable utensils and dishes will be used as much as possible. Costs will be monitored and efficiencies sought over time.

 

Each meal will have one Mineral church member designated as the Steward in order to provide a single point for assignments and decision making. Set up will begin at a comfortable time before seating, depending on the number of workers and the particular evening menu. Cleanup will occur immediately after the last guest has been served. The kitchen and the dining area will be returned to the status necessary for the

 next usage each evening. As experience is gained, setup and cleanup will become more efficient. As circumstances permit, guests shall be encouraged to assist with both preparation and cleanup.

 

Initially, buffet-type self-service is not appropriate as it could lead to a shortage of food before everyone is served. Therefore, each guest will be given a ticket at the door upon arrival. When the meal is ready and after Grace, the guests will come to the window, surrender their ticket and be given a plate of food which they can take to any place setting of their choice.

 

Love Offering: No offering of any kind will be solicited during the initial 6 months. This may be re-visited at any time thereafter.

 

Happy New Year and may God bless this new Outreach mission,