Service is a priority with the folks of Good Shepherd UMC. We have a heart for missions and provide multiple opportunities to help others in need. Whether you are looking for local hands-on involvement or offering financial assistance to overwhelming disasters throughout the world, our list of connections can fulfill a desire to benefit others authentically.

EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLY

The Good Shepherd EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLY is located down the hall from the church office. Anyone who is living with food insecurity may receive boxes loaded with food prepared to feed a family for three days. Supplies include canned, dried, fresh and frozen foods. Hours of operation are Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Next time you go grocery shopping buy a little extra, then bring items to the shopping cart near the West door to Cooper Hall. Always needed are Mac & cheese, canned fruit, canned meals, and peanut butter.

If you are unable to get to our Food Pantry, we deliver within 20 minutes.  Also, if you are unable to get to our Food Pantry on Thursdays, please call the church office, to see if other arrangements can be made.

Contact: Becky VanHouse

OUR COVENANT PARTNERSHIP

Good Shepherd enjoys a two-year covenant relationship with UMC mission worker Donna Pewo. Donna works with Cheyenne & Arapaho Native American children in Clinton, Oklahoma. Checks should be marked “Covenant Partnership.”

Contact: Mary Humphreys

WE CARE BAGS

Sturdy bags prepared by the Insights adult Sunday school class and our Sunday school children can be handed to someone on the street. We are urged to carry them in our cars and give out to those who are standing at a busy intersection with a sign asking for help. Each sack contains small easy to open packages of food and a bottle of water. A $3 donation assures more supplies for future “We Care” bags.

Contact: Jim Skadden

MISSION TRIPS

UMCOR is the United Methodist Committee on Relief and from the Utah depot health kits, birthing kits, flood buckets, and school kits to send to disaster areas around the world.

Each year a team from Good Shepherd travels the UMCOR West Depot in Salt Lake City. The mission team enjoys hands on work at the warehouse preparing and processing the kits. If you have an idea for a mission trip, please share!

Contact: Mary Ann Tabor

CHILDREN’S NOISY OFFERING

The second Sunday of every month, following the Children’s Message in worship, our kids take up a loud collection for missions. Our children have invested in a water buffalo from the Heifer Project, supported Imagine No Malaria, and purchased health kits for UMCOR. A new mission focus is chosen every quarter to teach children about missions and giving.

Contact: Shirley Greener

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Living out the goals of faith, hope and love in action, United Methodist Women support a variety of mission projects in our local community and around the world.

Contact: Sharon Clayton

GOOD SHEPHERD MEN

The Good Shepherd Men support a variety of mission projects in our local community and around the world.

Contact: A.J. Johnsen

CHRISTMAS ANGELS

Each year at Christmas time the people of Good Shepherd have the opportunity to help some struggling local families provide a little more Christmas for their children.  See the wish list from the Christmas Angel bulletin board for anonymous wish lists. We have been able to help several families have a Merry Christmas.

Contact: Linda Cohu

LOCAL COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

PARTNERS IN HOUSING

Good Shepherd supports P.I.H. A local agency dedicated to helping homeless families with children giving them the opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency through transitional housing and support services. In 2015, 297 people in 139 households were helped. You can help by placing needed items in the cart in the narthex.

Suggestions: silverware and dishes; laundry soap; pots and pans; bedding; gently used towels and sheets.

Giving by check can be made to GSUMC with P.I.H. on the item line.

Contact: Mary Humphreys

MISSION MEDICAL CLINIC

“Healing the sick in the name of Jesus” the clinic provides free medical, dental, behavioral health care and prescription assistance for low income, uninsured residents of the Pikes Peak Region. Most funding comes from local churches. Volunteers are needed, both medical and non-medical. Located at 2125 E. La Salle in Colorado Springs. Phone: 719-219-3402. Look for the Mission medical folder in the Narthex. www.missionmedicalclinic.org

Contact: Ben Wentworth

CARE & SHARE FOOD BANK

The food bank for Southern Colorado is located at 2605 Preamble Point (east of Powers). Volunteers are needed at the warehouse to sort food donations. GSUMC needs help transporting food to our emergency food supply source.

Contact: Dorothy Thompson

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MISSION CONNECTIONS

UMCOR – ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. UMCOR’s work reaches people in more than 80 countries, including the United States by providing humanitarian relief when war, conflict, or natural disaster. Every first Sunday in March, Good Shepherd takes part in One Great Our of Sharing.

IMAGINE NO MALARIA

A child dies every minute from this entirely preventable disease. The United Methodist initiative is to raise $75 million to fight malaria in Africa. Your gift of a check marked Malaria will help meet that goal.

MCCURDY MINISTRIES

A partner in mission with UMC, this ministry has served Anglo, Native American and Hispanics living in New Mexico’s Espanola Valley for 102 years. Saving “Box tops for Education” and Campbell’s labels assisted in purchasing a van and playground equipment for McCurdy. Drop labels in the soup can in the narthex. www.mccurdy.org

FAIR TRADE

Coffee and chocolate are offered at cost every Sunday in Cooper Hall after worship. Your purchases will support small family farmers world-wide who produce what we use. You can be in mission by just buying these items to use in your kitchen. Sponsored by UMW.

Contact: Mary Humphreys