Second Mile Giving

                                                                                                                          February 2013

Dear Members and Friends,

            Second Mile Giving is a Lenten tradition at St. Paul's. Each year the Missions Team chooses one or two ministries to lift before the congregation as a focus for worthwhile giving beyond our regular contributions.  Every dollar contributed is forwarded to the specifically selected ministries.  This year our theme is “Helping Our Neighbors”. We have selected two ministries for Second Mile Giving –  Mt. Joy Kitchen Project and Disaster Relief in Crisfield and Somerset County.

           

            Mt. Joy United Methodist Church has been ministering in the Southbridge community in South  Wilmington for more than 135 years.  Presently Mt. Joy's kitchen's roof has a leak and five of the stove burners do not work, and help is needed. Since St. Paul's has had a “Sister Church Relationship” with Mt. Joy for more than twenty years, the mission team would like to offer the members of St. Paul's an opportunity help with this situation through Second Mile Giving.

           

            Also, in desperate need are our neighbors in our conference in Crisfield and Somerset County, Maryland. When disaster strikes, it changes lives.  Last fall as Hurricane Sandy bore down on millions of people, the United Methodist Church responded immediately and continues to respond today. In the relief phase of the disaster response, the immediate focus was meeting the basic human needs – food, shelter, clothing, safety. Now in the recovery phase of the response,  communities have begun to try to rebuild and restore their lives. Planning and action in this phase includes rebuilding and restoration of homes, and the re-establishment of routines in daily life.

            After the storm, our Conference Disaster Response Team went to Crisfield and has been working with town emergency management officials to organize the relief stage of the disaster. FEMA  assessed the damage to be about $3 million. So far, $1.4 million has been paid out. No trailers may be used there because the land is below sea level, so temporary housing has had to be found elsewhere. Due to the mold potential in all of the homes in Crisfield and unincorporated areas of Somerset County, it was determined all (about 125 homes) will require some form of mold eradication. The Long Term Recovery Committee in the conference has determined at least $50,000 will be needed to help repair and rebuild homes in Crisfield and the unincorporated parts of Somerset County. VIM (Volunteers in Mission) groups are scheduled for the next few months. Building materials and supplies are needed. Part of the Second Mile Giving will be used for this purpose.

            The 2013 Second Mile Giving campaign will extend from February 17 (the first Sunday of Lent) to April 7 (the Sunday after Easter).  Please put the enclosed envelope in the Sunday offering or send your check to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, clearly marked "For Second Mile Giving." The Missions Team asks that you remember all those in need, including our neighbors, in your prayers, as well as your financial support.

                                                                                                        St. Paul's Mission Team