COME Minutes

MINUTES: Outreach/Mission/Evangelism (COME) Team of Springdale UMC

July 9, 2017

In attendance: Rhoda Barnhart (Chair), Deborah Schoenfelder, Jim Schoenfelder, Julie Mather, Austin Richards, Rachel Richards, Jim Farmer, Pastor Momodu Kamara.

Minutes of April 2, 2017 were distributed for review. Joys and concerns were briefly shared. Rhoda shared a piece titled “Here I am, Send Aaron” with related scripture, followed by prayer.

EVANGELISM

There are currently no upcoming Family Nights scheduled, but interest by the group was expressed to have a Family Night this fall. Pastor Momodu encouraged having Family Nights as a way to be more intentional and deliberate in reaching out to the community, offering ways to socialize and have fellowship.

OUTREACH

Contact persons for upcoming months (Jo Leighty, Coordinator): Ongoing.

Jim Schoenfelder regularly checks the Joys and Concerns card basket at the front of the church, making sure there is an ample supply for use by our faith community to follow up with joys and concerns voiced during worship services.

There will most likely not be an SUMC food booth at 2017 Hoover’s Hometown Days.

Rhoda raised the question about the possibility of an SUMC float at 2017 Hoover’s Hometown Days. There has been no discussion at this time about a float, but the subject will probably be raised at the Administrative Board meeting scheduled for July 26, 2017.

Church brochures and pew bookmarks: Jim S. reported that no brochures have been used in the past year. Pastor Momodu would like to have some brochures in hand as he plans to do visitation in the Springdale community. Members were in agreement that the pew bookmarks are helpful and should be continued. Jim S. asked Pastor Momodu and COME members to look over the brochure and bookmark, getting suggestions and edits to Jim so that he can update the documents.

MISSION

Special offerings

• Report for Rural Life Sunday on May 7: Not available
• Planning for World Communion Sunday (October 1)

1. Rhoda will place a flyer on the bulletin board in the back of the church
2. We have World Communion Sunday offering envelopes available in the COME file drawer in the Upper Room
3. Jim F. will look for videos to promote World Communion Sunday
4. Rhoda will prepare a promotional piece to submit to the church blog

Jim and Ruth Farmer recently traveled to the Midwest Missions Distribution Center (MMDC) in Chatham, Illinois to participate in the work being done there. Others in the congregation have expressed interest in volunteering at MMDC. Jim F. will write and submit a piece to the church blog describing MMDC and the opportunities for volunteering at the Center. 

2017 Thanksgiving Ingathering planning (Rachel Richards, Coordinator)

• Selection of projects

The group was in agreement with Rachel’s recommendation to feature two UMCOR kits and one cash donation opportunity:

1. Health Kits
2. School Kits
3. Self-Help International

• Receptacles for donated kits and kit items: Julie has two containers, Jim F. will also bring some
• Promotion

1. Rachel will create two documents: An instruction sheet to submit to the church blog, and a shopping list to have available at church
2. Children’s messages: Jim F., Steven Grace, and Pastor Momodu will plan and do messages for the Health Kits and School Kits. Rhoda will do a children’s message for Self-Help International

• Dedication of donations and kits will take place at worship service on Sunday, October 29, 2017
• Finish out and pack kits: COME members who are available will do this after worship on Sunday, October 29
• School kit bags: Rachel will contact Jo Leighty to see if there will be a team making bags this year
• Delivery of kits, money, postage, completed form(s) to Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, November 4, 2017: Who will do this will be determined closer to the date

Next meeting: October 8, 2017 following worship.