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CUMC-HB'S World
Missions and Community Outreach Programs
CUMC-HB actively supports a large number of world mission and community
outreach programs on a regular basis, as well as providing support for
emergency relief and special needs. To learn about these
programs, click on the following links, or simply scroll through the items
that follow. The church organizations that sponsor a program are shown
in italics at the end of each write-up. View matrix for a summary of the programs supported by each
organization.
Additional information about CUMC-HB's long-standing commitment to mission and
community service can be found by linking to 100 Years
of Community and reading the articles, dated March 6th through April
24th, 2005.
The Community Resource List provides phone numbers
for numerous help-line assistance groups and organizations within the community.
After School Program at The Cove
The Cove is an after school drop-in center
for students in Grades 6-8. Its purpose is to provide a safe, supervised,
and enriching environment for students whose parents may not be at home when
school is dismissed. A part-time employee of the church provides daily
supervision, while church volunteers assist in activities and supervise a
homework area. There, students may complete work without distractions and
may use computers for the purpose of word processing and research (using
Encarta, World Book, etc.) Available activities include crafts,
chess, board games, ping pong, horseshoes, and video games. The Cove
is open every school day and welcomes all middle school students.
This program was launched in April 2005.
After-school Task Force
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Beach Cities Interfaith Services (BCIS)
BCIS, formerly ESA then IURD, is a non-profit human
services organization. The mission of BCIS is to prevent homelessness
and decrease the human suffering of underserved individuals and families in
our community. BCIS provides groceries, assistance with payment of
utility bills, used clothing, hygiene products, job listings (use of the
internet to assist with job search and resume writing), vocational
counseling and linkage to other community resources.
BCIS also receives donated “new” toys and other holiday
items which are given to parents of needy families to be given to their
children for Christmas along with food baskets. An “Angel Store” is
set up at BCIS a few weeks prior to Christmas and families then can make an
appointment to “shop for their children”.
They also sponsor a literacy program called “Cuddle up
and Read”. Once a month, volunteers read to 2nd graders at
Oak View Elementary in Huntington Beach and, four times a year, distribute
stuffed animals and a book for each child attending these classes.
CUMC makes an annual contribution of $330 from the Church
and Society budget and collects children’s toys for BCIS, in early
December. A large box is placed in the narthex for church members to
deposit their gifts. A church and society member sits on BCIS's
advisory board.
BCIS is located at: Main Street
Library
525 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-969-4462
Hours Tues – Friday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Program Director is: Carol Sneary
BCISHB@surfside.net
Church & Society Committee
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Blood Drives
ONE HOUR OF YOUR LIFE CAN MEAN A LIFETIME TO SOMEONE ELSE – BE A DONOR!
At any moment, any one of us, or someone we love, can be in
need of a life saving blood donation. Statistics show that 75% of the
population will receive blood at some point in their life. In order for
supplies to be available for us, we must make sure that they are available
for others.
For this reason, CUMC-HB, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, has
sponsored two blood drives each year for the past several years. In 2005,
we added a third drive. Dates for the blood drives are announced well
ahead of schedule in the Announcements and
Chimes. Generally, scheduling begins
about 6 weeks before the event, with a table set up in the patio between and
after services for signups. Also, appointments may be scheduled by calling the
church office (714-842-4461) or by registering on-line at
www.givelife.org and entering the
sponsor code (unitedmethodist1).
Walk-ins are always welcome, and childcare is provided.
The blood drives
take place in Moore Hall. We usually collect 40-45 units. Our goal is to
increase our output to 50 units per drive.
Church &
Society Committee
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Blood Pressure Screening
Write-up in preparation.
Parish Nurses
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Bus Tokens
Packets of bus tokens are purchased and provided to the church office where
they are distributed to those in need of local transportation.
All Church
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Camp Scholarships
Each year the church provides qualifying youth with a scholarship to attend
a summer camp.
All Church
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Channel 50 (KOCE) Fund Raiser
When called upon by the local public TV station, KOCE, members of CUMC help
out during pledge times. Generally, a couple times a year, 20 members
help by taking pledges over the phones during a 3-5 hours shift.
All Church
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Christian Children's Fund
Write-up in preparation.
Adult Council
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Community Action Partnership with Orange County
Adoption Unit [Formerly Adopt a Social Worker]
The
Community Action Partners Program (which is funded in part by the County of
Orange) matches Orange County Social Service Workers with organizations,
civic groups, congregations and businesses to provide needed support to
their clients. CUMC has been linked with the ADOPTION UNIT since 1997.
CUMC holds two collection drives each year to provide needed items to
children, in the social service system, who are awaiting adoption or were
newly adopted.
Our congregation has generously provided
furniture, appliances, household items, “gently used” children’s clothing,
car seats, and strollers, etc., to the foster and adopting families, but the
largest number of gifts go directly to the children from the social workers
on special occasions such as birthdays, and the celebrations of final
adoption. Coloring books and crayons, toys, dolls, and stuffed animals are
most wanted, but in December board games, sports balls, puzzles, and items
for teen-agers are added to the “wish lists.”
The two collection dates are scheduled in early spring
and early autumn for receiving donations on the patio on Sundays. However,
donations can be taken to the church office during working hours at any time
of the year. Holiday gifts are also shared with the Adoption Unit social
workers.
A call to the
church office will put you in touch with the Adoption Unit liaison. The
Community Action Partners can be reached at (714) 899-0034, ext. 5308, or
phope@capoc.org
Church & Society Committee
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Community Resource List
The Community Resource List provides phone numbers for
numerous help-line assistance groups and organizations within the
community. Annually, we update the list and provide it to CUMC-HB members
and the Nursery School.
Church & Society Committee
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Conference Benevolences
For many years, CUMC-HB has met it's annual commitment of giving
approximately $90,000 to the United Methodist Church Conference. That
sum is pooled with funds from all the 35,784 United Methodist Churches and
from 905,770 United Methodist Women members. Among other things, that
pool helps support 1,812 mission personnel, 102 United Methodist-related
community centers and mission colleges, 225 retirement homes, 70 hospitals
and health care facilities, 82 four-year colleges, 10 universities, and 13
schools of theology.
All Church
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Emergency Relief and Special Needs
On special occasions during every year CUMC, together with the wider United
Methodist Church, asks for special offerings for particular ministries of
the wider church. These include:
Ø
"One Great Hour of Sharing," to support the ongoing work of the United
Methodist
Commission
on Relief, our emergency response agency,
Ø
"Human Relations Day," to support scholarships and community centers,
Ø
"United Methodist Student Day," to support scholarships,
Ø
"Golden Cross Sunday,: t support clinics and medical programs, and
Ø
special emergency offerings, when disasters happen, such as the Tsunami Fund
of
winter 2004 - 2005.
All Church
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Eye Glass Collection
A box is provided in the church office for collection of used eye glasses
which are periodically taken the Lion's Club for recycling of frames.
All Church
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Facility Usage
For many years, CUMC has provided space for non-profit groups to hold
meetings. These groups include Alcoholics Anonymous, Alanon,
Overeaters Anonymous, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Daughters of the American
Revolution and others.
All Church
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First-time Visitor Program
The sooner someone in the church meets with a first-time visitor, the more
likely it is that they will return regularly. To that end, CUMC has a
program where teams of members check the sign-in pads for first time
visitors immediately after the second service. The teams then attempt
to visit them at home (if they are local) and bring "Thanks for visiting
CUMC," a loaf of bread, a copy of The Chimes and CUMC mug. They
also answer any questions the visitor has.
Outreach Committee
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Food Closet
 A
food closet is available at CUMC-HB to assist needy families with basic
necessities. It is the result of generous giving of food items by the
congregation. The food closet is open in the church parking lot on
Fridays from noon to 2pm. Persons should come only once per
month, so that others may share in the supplies.
Food Closet Task Force
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Global Ministries of United Methodist Women
Write-up in preparation.
United Methodist Women
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Habitat for Humanity
We organize one or two Saturday work parties
per year to assist Habitat for Humanity of Orange County at construction
sites in the Huntington Beach and surrounding areas. We typically
supply 15 volunteers to paint, roof, side, drywall, trench, and perform
other work as directed by Habitat construction leads. A number of
members of our congregation have become dedicated Habitat for Humanity
construction leads who volunteer numerous weekends per year.
One fall Sunday per year, following each of our morning worship services, we
sell Habitat merchandise to raise funds. Items for sale include
shirts, Christmas pins, mugs, cards, mouse pads, and large appliance
donation cards.
Church & Society Committee
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Heifer Project International
Write-up in preparation.
Missions Commission
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Holiday Philanthropy
During the holiday season, Christmas presents are collected and
delivered to three different philanthropies:
1) children's toys go to Beach Cities Interfaith Council in Huntington Beach
(was IURD),
2) gifts for teenagers go to the Orange County Adoption Unit,
3) gifts for seniors go to Senior Santas and Friends at Orange County Social
Services.
Gifts are collected in a box in the narthex starting the Sunday after
Thanksgiving and continuing through the second or third Sunday in December.
Volunteers separate and bag the gifts and deliver them to the different
charities.
Church & Society Committee
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Immunization Clinic
The Immunization Clinic is held the first Friday of every month from
9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Oak View Community Center in Huntington Beach.
Many agencies collaborate to offer this service to the community. The
building site is provided by the City of Huntington Beach; professional
staff is provided by The Community Care Center; vaccines are provided by
Orange County Health Care Agency, clerical staff comes from the Children's
Bureau of Southern California. Volunteers from Community United Methodist
Church coordinate the administration of the clinic operation while supplying
equipment and various supplies, clerical support and child care and the time
to set up the examining rooms each week.
Parish Nurses
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Interval House
On the last Sunday of even months, CUMC collects gently used clothing and
other items for Interval House, a shelter for women who are victims of
domestic abuse. The donations are taken to Huntington Beach Assistance
League's Bargain Box, located at 8071 Slater Ave., just east of Beach Blvd.
Women who are housed at the several Interval House locations, and/or
enrolled in Project Self-Sufficiency, may select clothing suitable for
employment. For
more information go to
www.intervalhouse.org
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Literacy Project
Write-up in preparation.
Other
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Loaves and Fishes Dinners
Write-up in preparation.
Adult Council Committee
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Missions Discretionary
Write-up in preparation.
Missions Commission
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National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Orange County
The mission of NAMIOC is to provide emotional support,
education, and resources for families affected by mental illness. CUMC
sponsors an information table for May Mental Health Awareness Month. For
mental health emergencies, call 911. The closest Adult Mental Health Orange
County Outpatient Clinic is in Westminster (714-896-7566). There are
several programs that are free to the public:
Stigma Elimination Campaign. This provides information and
public presentations to communicate education and information that addresses
the misconceptions about mental illness and the attitudes that cause stigma.
School Outreach Program. Trained family volunteers provide
lessons in schools to help students, parents, and teachers identify the
symptoms and treatments of mental illnesses and their impact on society.
The Hand-to-Hand Educational Program. This provides a nine
week course designed to foster learning, healing and empowerment among
families of children and adolescents with emotional/mental/neurobiological
disorders.
Family-to-Family Education Program. This is taught by trained
volunteers in a twelve week program for families of individuals with serious
mental illness. This course provides knowledge of the illness and required
coping skills to facilitate the treatment process and contribute to their
loved one's return to health.
FaithNet. It is a
religious outreach program which educates clergy and congregations about
mental illness to reduce stigma and misconceptions which prevail in the
faith community.
Church & Society Committee
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Oakview Community Center
Write-up in preparation.
Parish Nurses
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Outreach
The Outreach Committee welcomes visitors and invites neighbors to join
us at CUMC-HB. They maintain the Welcome Center on the patio on
Sunday morning. Last year they mailed out over 1,500 postcards
inviting new arrivals in Huntington Beach to join us at Easter services.
Outreach Committee
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Pastor's Discretionary Fund
The senior pastor's discretionary fund is a limited sum budget, used for
emergency aid to CUMC's own members. For reasons of confidentiality,
distributions are kept relatively quiet.
Pastor Back to Top
Project Hope
Write-up in preparation.
Jr. High Group Back to Top
Project Self Sufficiency
Write-up in preparation.
United Methodist Women
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San Pedro Toberman House
The United Methodist Women's Group (UMW) donates funds to the Toberman
Settlement
House in San Pedro. This non-profit organization was named United Way's
Non-Profit Organization of the Year in 2006. According to their statement on
the web site:
www.tobermansettlementhouse.org, they are "Providing real-life
opportunities and the educational capacity to achieve moral, spiritual, and
financial independence."
United Methodist Women Back to Top
Scholarships for Ministry Students
Write-up in preparation.
United Methodist Women Back to Top
Scouting Programs
Write-up in preparation
All Church Back to Top
Self-Help Interfaith Program (SHIP)
This is an ecumenical program
organized by churches of the northwest Orange County for the purpose of
providing shelter, food, and counseling for homeless persons participating
in the SHIP program. This affords those individuals the
opportunity to find employment and save enough money to rent their own place
to live. Each church provides two weeks or more of temporary living
quarters and food to qualified individuals. During 2004 CUMC-HB housed and
fed SHIP participants for a total of six weeks. For more information
see SHIP's web site at www.shipinoc.org
.
Once the dates are established for CUMC-HB
to house the SHIP's guest, the Homeless Committee initiates sign-ups,
whereby volunteers are solicited for the following functions:
Ø
Bring food and supplies.
Ø
Prepare and bring a part of a nights meal .
Ø
Supper personal that makes sure all
of the meal is brought and
kept
warm. Set out the food when dinner is served.
Ø
Evening monitor for a 2hr stay.
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Staying overnight with guest.
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Set-up prior to guest coming.
Ø
Kitchen clean-up after guest stay is
over.
Missions Commission
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Sierra Service Project
Sierra Service Project (SSP) is
a non-profit organization providing life-changing experiences through acts
of service repairing Native American homes. It is an opportunity for high
school age youth and young adults to experience the profound power of
serving people who have a culture and life experience different from their
own.
Each
summer, approximately 1,200 teenagers, 250 adult volunteers and 36 paid
summer staff live, worship and work together on a number of different
project sites. These dedicated souls spend time on a Native American
reservation doing a variety of home repairs, from fixing (or sometimes
installing) roofs to building porches and stairs, from installing plumbing
to building wheelchair ramps. Each house is unique. Together,
their work results in over 100 safer, drier and more comfortable homes for
the Native Americans that they serve.
Begun
in 1975, Sierra Service Project was inspired by and modeled after
Appalachian Service Project. Originally founded by several United
Methodist Church ministers, SSP is now an independent non-profit
organization. They maintain a close affiliation with the United Methodist
Church, and they also draw participants from a number of other Protestant
denominations.
SSP
believes that young people develop a strong and deep understanding of God's
gifts and God's grace through the direct experience of being in service to
others. The youth of Community United Methodist Church have had a
long-standing relationship with the Sierra Service Project. It is the
major mission project of the year the Sr. High group.
Youth Group, United Methodist Women, All Church
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Southwest Community Center
The Southwest Community Center located in Santa Ana provides meals for
the homeless. Many of the UMW members donate meals every other month
to SWCC. There are many other churches which also share in this
outreach. For the past several years, half of the donations to the
Missions Commission Christmas Card have been designated for SWCC.
United Methodist Women,
Missions Commission
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Summer Choir School
This is a week-long experience, during the summer, in learning about
music and worship. It is open to all children who are in grades 4-8.
Registration will occur in late spring. Call the church office for details.
Music Ministry
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Third World Handarts
Write-up in preparation.
Missions Commission
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United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
CUMC-HB supports UMCOR by providing donations to on-going and emergency
relief projects, as well as participating in UMCOR sponsored projects.
Equal Exchange Coffee Project - CUMC-HB has joined the UMCOR
Coffee Project. We now purchase the coffee, used on Sunday morning, by
UMW, at Wednesday Night Supper, and at other church functions, through a
fair trade organization called Equal Exchange. For each case of coffee
purchased, Equal Exchange makes a contribution to UMCOR programs that
support community based co-operatives in coffee growing regions. Equal
Exchange was founded in 1986 to create a new approach to trade.
Consumers are offered fairly traded coffee direct from small-scale farmer
co-ops in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Equal Exchange is committed
to:
- pay fair price for coffee,
- work with co-operatives that are owned and governed
by the farmers,
- to offer credit farmers can afford,
- encourage ecologically sustainable farming practices.
Over 700 Methodist Churches, as well as other denominations, support this
project.
To learn more about Equal Exchange, go to
www.equalexchange.com/interfaith
Tsunami Relief - CUMC-HB collected and donated over
$7,000 for aid to Tsunami victims.
All Church
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UMYF Service Project for the Month
Write-up in preparation.
United Methodist Youth Fellowship Group
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Vacation Bible School
Each summer, volunteers from CUMC bring together their time and talents
to offer a Vacation Bible School (VBS) to the children of the church and
surrounding community. This event usually occurs for one week, early in the
month of August. It is offered during the morning hours. The theme changes
every year but there are always games, food and a Christian message of God's
love for everyone. Please contact the church office during the later part of
the month of June to get information on the schedule for the next VBS event.
All Church
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Visitors and New Members
The Outreach Committee welcomes visitors and invites neighbors to join
us at CUMC-HB. They maintain the Welcome Center on the patio on
Sunday morning. Last year they mailed out over 1,500 postcards
inviting new arrivals in Huntington Beach to join us at Easter services.
Outreach Committee
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Well Baby through Young Adult Clinic
This clinic provides physical examinations to all children up to the age
of 19 years. It is held the first Friday of every month from 9:00 am to 1:00
pm at the Oak View Community Center. Please see the description above, under
the title of Immunization Clinic, for a description of the agencies
involved in this service.
Parish Nurses
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Women Infant Children Program
Write-up in preparation.
Parish Nurses
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World Missions (Missionary Support)
Write-up in preparation.
Missions Commission
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