Welcome! As Christians, we are constantly striving to live more Christ-like lives. One of the ways we can do this is by reaching out, as Jesus did, to those who are poorer, weaker, or disenfranchised. Here at Perry UMC, there are many opportunities to enrich your Christian experience by reaching out to others.

With joy in Christ,
Billy Kimbrel, Associate Pastor for Evangelism

Mission Programs:

PUMC Relay for Life
The Missions Committe organized our first Relay for Life team in 2009, raising almost $3000 for the American Cancer Society. Our 2010 fundraising season is underway now, with Flamingo Flocking is our main fundraising activity. <more>

Operation Christmas Child
Perry UMC is proud to participate in Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan's Purse program which sends shoeboxes of essentials and gifts to underpriviledged children around the world. Gifts are delivered along with special Bibles and discipleship materials, sharing the love of Christ in a meaningful way. <more about OCC at PUMC>

UMCOR
HAITI:
Support for emergency relief to can be made to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325 and sent to:
Conference Administrative Services Office
PO Box 52101
Macon, GA 31208

You can make donations to UMCOR Advances at any time by noting it on the memo line of a check to Perry UMC. Past campaigns included a month long fundraiser for world hunger through UMCOR. We also highlighted one of UMCOR's many programs that educates farmers in impoverished countries about sustainable agriculture.

Loaves and Fishes
A completely volunteer-run local emergency foodbank for individuals and families in need. Consider contributing time, food, or a financial offering to this worthy effort. <more info>

Snax Sax
The PUMC Missions Committee has started a "Snax Sax" food program at a local elementary school for children that are in need of food. The bags of pre-packaged food will be given to the children on Fridays so they will have food to eat over the weekend. <more info>

Mission News: Habitat for Humanity and Restore
Houston County Habitat for Humanity
is another project the Missions Committee supports. A house is currently being built in Warner Robins. If you would like to volunteer to work one Saturday, contact John Williams in our church office at 987-1852.

Last year, HoCo Habitat opened a “Restore” where they sell used and refurbished building materials such as cabinets, doors and furniture. They also take donations of these items. The store is located at 515 Myrtle St., Warner Robins and is open Wednesday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Thanks from the Mission Committee
Those of us on the Missions Committee would like to thank you for the funds you provide for the mission work of the Perry United Methodist Church. Many lives all over the world have been blessed though your generosity.

The members of the committee include:

• Brian Bowen
• Jean Bennett
• Alvalyn Pope
• Kim Cassell
• Rev. Roland Fall
• Rev. Billy Kimbrel
• Linda Mason
• Susan Barfield
• Suzanne Powell
• Daryl Bowling
  

Mission News:

Haiti: Loss of UMCOR Leaders
The Rev. Dr. Sam Dixon, head of the humanitarian relief agency of The United Methodist Church, died before he could be rescued from the rubble of a hotel destroyed by the earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12.  The executive officer of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) was part of a group of mission and relief specialists trapped by the collapse of the Hotel Montana.

The Rev. Clinton Rabb, 60, a leader in The United Methodist Church's extensive mission volunteer program, died on January 17 in a Florida hospital of injuries sustained when he was trapped for 55 hours in the ruins of Hotel Montana.

Please keep all of those affected by the earthquake in Haiti in your prayers.

Operation Christmas Child 2009: Thank You Letters from India
We have received letters from two families in India that received boxes from our church. Both of the responses were from pastors of churches.

Pastor Elias Mathew said, “Our children are very glad to see the gift items. We are blessed by 2 children, the elder son, 8 and the older daughter, 2. My son received the gift and he’s overwhelmed and very excited to have it. We as a family are working for the Lord since the last 15 years in North India. My wife’s from Tamil Nadu. She was an orphan and a nonbeliever coming from a Hindu background. She was in a Christian orphanage and that’s how she came to know about Jesus and now she’s helping in GODEST’S ministry.

We’ve come across a lot of orphaned children who are not treated well and are going in the wrong path. GODEST gave us a vision of opening an orphanage many years ago. We always remember you and your family in our prayers and will continue forever.”

He also gave an e-mail address. Contact him if you wish at elias.mathew77@gmail.com

Here is the letter from the second pastor in India.
”I am pastor K. Vijaychandra, who’s called by God to lead more than 100 children of God. We are the people who have seen and experienced the true love of the Lord through your generosity and care for the people you have never seen. One of our orphan girls has received your shoebox. Our Sunday School children had a great joy and real happiness of Christmas and their parents have known the love of the Lord in their hearts because of the boxes you have sent out with love. You’ve not only reached their needs but their hearts through your love.” His e-mail address is shalomkv@yahoo.com I’m sure he would like to hear from you.

Operation Christmas Child 2010
In the next few weeks, you will see OCC collection boxes around the church. We will collect a certain item each month. During the month of January we will collect soap and wash cloths. The next time you shop, buy a few extra bars of soap and some wash clothes. Bring them to church on Sunday. February is Dental Health month, so we will collect toothbrushes and toothpaste in February.

I also need someone to take on the project of packing boxes during the year. If you would like to help out in that area, please contact me: Linda Mason – 997-1582.

Snax Sax
On December 17th, we delivered holiday bags along with our regular Snax Sax. The holiday bags contained 4 pieces of fresh fruit and some special treats. The fruit was donated by a local produce market.

The Snax Sax program has been very blessed recently with generous donations. These donations keep our project afloat. Without them, we would be unable to feed the 185 students at Perry Primary each week.

Those of us on the Missions Committee would like to thank you for the funds you provide for the mission work of the Perry United Methodist Church. Many lives all over the world have been blessed though your generosity. May each of you have a blessed and healthy New Year.

Linda Mason