Summer School Meal Program, July 27th—29th, Sibley High School. 10 volunteers are needed to serve breakfast and lunch. Contact the church office if you can help. 651-452-5683
Rummage and Bake Sales are held at the church twice yearly, on a Saturday in April and September. The next one is Saturday, September 18. Plan your spring and fall cleaning around the sale, and bring your good rummage to the church during the week preceding the sale; call the office with questions. Always a favorite neighborhood event, the proceeds benefit mission work of the United Methodist Women.
In 2009, the United Methodist Men (UMM) started doing projects to assist the Lewis House, a shelter for women and men in Eagan. This local mission project provides the opportunity to perform "work" to support a local agency meeting the needs of a serious social problem while demonstrating positive male role models to the children at the shelter. Since making this connection, we are "first on the list" to provide assistance on projects. We've helped at the Lewis House with projects including:
-- moving, organizing, and cleaning during a renovation at the Lewis House
-- assembling cribs at a time when the house was experiencing great need,
--demolishing a structure in the backyard that was becoming a safety issue for residents
-- moving donated furniture from an apartment in downtown Minneapolis to a home in Hastings for a mother and children starting over.
We have found our efforts to be much appreciated at the Lewis House and personally rewarding for those of us providing the help.
Men’s Group gathers quarterly for dinner meetings from 6:00—8:00 pm and will meet on September 17th (location to be determined) and November 19th (at church). Projects at Lewis House are in August, October and December.
United Methodist Women (UMW) is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to participate in creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand mission through the global ministries of the church.
Membership in the UMW is open to any woman with a desire to belong to and participate in the global mission of the church. No matter who you are or where in your life you are at this moment - plant, bloom, and grow with other women who have been responding to this purpose for over 135 years.
General gatherings are open to all women and may feature activities, a speaker and refreshments. A yearly highlight is the June picnic. Call the church office for the current schedule. Information on individual circles is also available.
Turkey Dinner has been held annually for over 80 years, usually on the last Wednesday of October. Get your tickets early for this sellout event! And plan to arrive a bit early to enjoy St. Paul's Holiday Boutique, where you may browse and purchase unique handmade items and gifts from our kitchens. Proceeds benefit local missions.
Fair Trade Peace Coffee and Equal Exchange tea, cocoa, and chocolate bars are available for purchase at St. Paul's on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month and during the week by contacting the office. Fair trade products link our congregation with small-scale farmers and their families. All profits go to St. Paul's mission outreach. Prices are:
1 lb. Coffee, light or dark roast, whole beans or ground, regular or decaf: $10.00
1 box of 25 tea bags: $3.00
1 box cocoa mix: $3.00
1 bar light or dark chocolate: $3.00
At Feed My Starving Children we volunteer monthly to pack nutritious meals made up of rice, soy, vitamins, and dehydrated vegetables, distributed to starving children worldwide. www.fmsc.org
Food Shelf - Neighbors, Inc. is our local food shelf, serving families in need in Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul. St. Paul's supports this effort through Minnesota Foodshare, an interfaith collaboration. Our food and funds drives are held in March and November. www.neighborsmn.org
Emma Norton Services, a National Mission of the United Methodist Church located in St. Paul, provides both permanent and temporary affordable housing and services to homeless women and their families. St. Paul's United Methodist Women provide ongoing support for this mission through direct contributions and participation in the Emma Norton Annual Dinner. We are proud to say that two members of St. Paul's and the UMW have served on the Emma Norton Board of Directors. www.emmanorton.org
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responds to emergencies and disasters around the world, helping people with their immediate needs and in getting back on their feet. Every dollar donated goes directly to the work of UMCOR. St. Paul's has participated in relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina, the south Asian tsunami, and the Pakistani earthquake. We have assembled layette kits for expectant mothers, sewing kits, and school bag kits, and even responded to a last-minute appeal for toothpaste to restock UMCOR warehouse supplies. new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor