|
|
Mission Opportunities
The word “mission” often implies traveling to another country to teach and work. The work done in foreign missions is important, of course, but we can’t all make the trip. What we can do, however, is be faithful servants where we live. Mission is about putting the face and name of Jesus in front of those who don’t know him. We can do that in many ways — any place and any day. At Avondale, we strive "to love and serve God and others, through worship, learning, fellowship and outreach." You are invited to join us in mission by participating in ministry to our community. Opportunities for service include the following.
S.T.A.I.R
Start the Adventure In Reading
Start the Adventure In Reading (STAIR) is a program designed to improve the reading skills and self-esteen of 2nd graders. STAIR was founded in New Orleans in 1985. Independent Presbyterian Church began it own STAIR site in 2000. Since that time IPC's Birmingham STAIR program has grown with sites across the city including our STAIR program at Avondale UMC. STAIR targets second graders who are referred by their classroom teachers for help with reading skills. Students who do not read at grade level by 3rd grade are most likely to fall behind academically, beginning a negative cycle that follows them throughout school. It has been said that in Kindergarten through 2nd grade, children "learn to read" and in grades 3 through 12, children "read to learn."
At our STAIR, students from Avondale Elememtary school are transported by bus to the church at 3:00 pm each Monday and Wednesday afternoon from October through April. The bus returns the children to the school at 4:45 pm. When the children arrive at the church they are warmly greeted by the STAIR tutors and are given a healthy, nutritious snack. There is time for socializing, fun, and laughter followed by one-on-one tutoring. Students work with the same two tutors each week. Each year, the number of people volunteering has increased allowing us to reach more children. This year, 16 children have been invited to participate in our STAIR program.
Tutors are volunteers who come to our church to help the children once of twice a week because they care about the future of these children and know that educaton is key. Some have a background in teaching but most do not. They are of all ages and walks of life ... high school students, businessmen, housewives, retirees, doctors, lawyers. They are trained to use a professionally designed program that enhances the curriculum of the public school. All learning materials and supplies are provided and the children participate at no charge to their families. The tutors work closely with the children at an individual pace that accomodates the needs of the child. They read together, play word games, practice phonics, and work on increasing reading comprehension.
If you can help, please contact:
Alison Jenkins, Director of STAIR
avonumcpdo@aol.com
or call the church (205)592-3739 ext: 04 for information.
Make a difference in the life of a child!
For more information go to:
|
MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERY
For more information or to volunteer, contact:
Alma Moore - Volunteer Coordinator
205-592-0413 ext. 4
Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals to home-bound elderly throughout the Jefferson County area. Meals on Wheels was implemented in December 1976 in Jefferson County. Beginning with a delivery of 5 meals, the program grew very quickly. Today, many routes throughout Jefferson County, staffed by over 1300 volunteers, provide meals daily to homebound elderly people. To qualify to receive Meals on Wheels, the person must be 60 years of age, or older, homebound, and unable to prepare a nutritious meal for themselves. A typical recipient is a single or widowed woman in her 80's who lives alone and has an income bordering on poverty level. She may have an illness that limits her ability to prepare nourishing meals. Receiving a hot meal allows clients to remain independent in their own homes, eliminating or postponing the need for long-term nursing care.
Volunteers provide a vital check on the client's safety and well-being, many times being the only person the client sees during the day. They provide a warm smile, a listening ear and the comfort of knowing someone cares. Volunteers pick up meals at a location near their route and deliver them between 11:00am and 1:00 pm Monday through Friday. A volunteer may choose to deliver as often as they like... once or twice per month or per week. Each route takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to complete.
|
 The Power of a Simple Gift
During October, we will accept Christmas Child Shoe Boxes for Samaritan's Purse. Shoe boxes or 'shoe box-sized' small plastic containers should be filled with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.
Each shoe box should be designated for a Boy/Aged 2-4 years, Boy/Aged 5-9 years, Boy/Aged 10-14 years or for a Girl/Aged 2-4 years, Girl/Aged 5-9 years, Girl/Aged 10-14 years. Gift suggestions are available on-line at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. Do not seal your filled shoebox. Simply place a rubber bank around each closed shoe box and bring it the church for delivery during National Collection Week, November 14-21. Please include a $7 donation for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. Checks should be made payable to Avondale United Methodist Church and marked for Operation Christmas Child to allow us to make one combiined donation.
Please do not include:
used or damaged items
war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures
chocolate, food, out-of-date candy
liquids or lotions
medications or vitamins
breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers,
aerosol cans
|
|
4th and 5th Fridays at the
Church of the Reconciler
Can you join us on November 25th?
In addition to our committment to feeding the homeless at the Church of the Reconciler each 5th Friday, we at Avondale UMC, are partnering with Woodlawn UMC and East Lake UMC in providing a meal on each 4th Friday.That means ... we need lots more volunteers!
You can help by preparing the food and/or by helping to serve. The food will be delivered to the church during the preceding week. Each 4th Friday two Avondale volunteers are needed to serve the meal at the Church of the Reconciler. Each 5th Friday, more Avondale volunteers are needed to assist Tim Smith in cooking the hot dogs (7:30 - 8:30am at Avondale UMC), delivering and serving at the Church of the Reconciler. The whole process ... cooking and serving ... usually takes about 2 1/2 hours. You can volunteer by E-mail or by signing the list on the church bulletin board.
Menu:
Hot dog weiners
Hot dog buns
Pork & Beans
Individual serving bags of chips
Dessert
|
WOODLAWN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Avondale UMC, along with several other area churches, has supported the Woodlawn Christian Center financially since 1991. The Center is located in an out-building behind Woodlawn United Methodist Church which provides water, gas, and electricity at no cost to the Center. Services of the Center are concentrated solely in the distribution of food to eligible persons who live in zip codes 35212 and 35222. Clients may receive a distribution once every two months and the amount issued is based on the number of people in the household and the quantity of food products in the Center's "pantry." Proof of residency and documentation of dependents must be provided.
Since all financial contributions go exclusively for the purchase of food, no household cleaning, personal hygiene, baby /adult diapers, paper products, nor other non-food items are purchased. All of the participating churches (and other organizations) collect non-food items for distribution.The first Sunday of each month is designated as "Mission Sunday" at Avondale UMC. Money left at the communion rail is used to meet our monthly pledge. Church members and friends are encouraged to bring non-food items. Items placed in boxes located around the church are delivered to the Mission by church member, Bill Copeland, a long-time volunteer at the Center.
Blessings of Bread
We have added a new dimension to our support of the Woodlawn Christian Center. Thanks to the generosity of Panera Bread in Vestavia, we are able to provide bread and bakery products each week to those who are served by the Center. Church members pick up unsold bread products from Panera Bread in Vestavia each Saturday night. The bread is brought to the church on Sunday morning for delivery to the Woodlawn Christian Center on Monday morning. A pick-up schedule for 2011 has been created but substitutes are often needed. If you would like to help, please contact Rachel Estes: rachel.estes@gmail.com
|
|
|
