Missions   

Do all the good you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can.  -John Wesley

To celebrate 150 years of ministry AUMC is holding a DIAPER DRIVE with a goal of collecting 150 packs of diapers to give to our local pantries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A review of last years mission giving follows;

The first quarter of the year began with our church fulfilling its covenant relationship with our chosen missionary, Rev. Paul Webster in Zambia, Africa.  The extra funds that were collected during January were shared with Paul’s important ministry, Mujila Falls Agricultural Centre.  Next, we shared nearly $500 with the Wesley Foundation at Western Michigan University, then collected more funds for UMCOR during One Great Hour of Sharing.  Wings of God, the transitional home for women who were recently incarcerated, received over $600 from our February globe offering. 

Spring giving opportunities included the local CROP Walk for Hunger in Paw Paw, where 15 people from AUMC participated by walking, donating or volunteering, and $850.00 was raised.  A spring clean up day at Crystal Springs Camp occurred and many members worked hard on cleaning, raking, and repairs at the camp.  The state of Michigan and the nation watched as the Flint Water Crisis made the daily news . . . and we were able to give $550 toward efforts by UMCOR to help Flint residents.

Children and teens involved in the foster care system received donations from us in the spring, as Bethany Christian Services and the SEITA Scholars program at WMU were selected as missions.  Two Native American churches that are dear to us were each given $265.00:  Salem & Bradley. Missions committee member, Todd Harmon, continued to be our representative to those churches in 2016.  10 people from AUMC spent time and energy on a variety of projects over a three day period at Spirit Journey Camp in Northport, MI serving the Native American children who attend the camp.

Global giving included $580 toward National Justice for our Neighbors campaign, and over $500 toward the Street Children of Cambodia program. 

Back at home again, local giving this fall included the Van Buren County Domestic Violence Coalition ($450) and the Race Relations programs of ISAAC in Kalamazoo ($700). 

An emergency collection for victims of Haiti’s hurricane was able to bring in $318  for UMCOR’s international relief fund. Finally, our year will round out with helping the needy in our own community through giving toward United Christian Services and Eleanor’s Pantry, the food bank in Paw Paw, and Bethany Christian Services.

Foster Care

We partner with the SW Michigan Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care to support Foster and Adoptive famiies and those who work with them.

See  http://www.faithcommunitiescoalition.org/ for more information.

College Ministry

Almena is a partner church with the Weley Foundation at Western Michigan University.  AUMC also helps foster success for those in WMU's Seita Scholarship  program for students coming out of Foster Care, by donating Welcome Packs of Dorm supplies and meeting other needs of students.

Mens Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Mens Group performs a variety of acts of community service.  Join them on the 4th Sunday of the month at 8AM to get in on a great breakfast, devotions, planning and serving.  Above is the ampitheater seating they built at Spirit Journey Camp in Northport.

 

Almena Quilters

Almena Quilters sew for a variety of causes.  Meeting dates vary, contact almenaumcoffice@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harvest Dinner

We host a community Harvest Dinner the first Saturday in November, serving from 4:30-6:30 pm.  Turkey dinner with all the trimmings is served.  A quilt show is presented in the Sanctuary.  Proceeds from the dinner have supported local missions, camp ministries and others.

Soup Suppers

Our Soup and Salad Suppers are held the 3rd. Saturday of the month in January and February from 4:30-6:30pm.  This warm tradition creates a space for gathering friends from the greater Paw paw area together.  Proceeds go towards a variety of causes.