An Outreach Ministry based at Vestal UMC

Transcription

1 An Outreach Ministry based at Vestal UMC

2 Mission Beacon of Hope (BOH) is an outreach ministry at Vestal United Methodist Church serving the spiritual and physical needs of the people of South Knoxville. Programs are offered as Points of Light in the community to help those who desire to help themselves.

3 Goals To offer outreach ministries based on personal worth and service to help individual struggling with issues of poverty. To revitalize the congregation of Vestal UMC by intentionally inviting new people into fellowship with the church.

4 Points of Light

5 History Four years ago, Church Street UMC started offering financial assistance through a new layled benevolence team approach. In meeting the needs of those seeking assistance, we began to dream of better ways to be in ministry with people rather than to people. A further desire was to create a community based ministry that would be holistic for both physical and spiritual needs.

6 Further Development Members of Church Street received training in benevolence through multiple outlets including Compassion Coalition. They also spent a weekend with Church 4 All People in Columbus, Ohio. They began to dream of a new way of outreach that would value those being served rather than demeaning them.

7 Why Beacon of Hope? A desire to show the South Knoxville community that the lights are still on at Vestal UMC. Pastor Tim York led a prayer inspired to ask for Vestal UMC to be a beacon in their community. Beacon of Hope (BOH) is a holistic approach to community based outreach. Something for everyone will be offered through Points of Light. As important as serving the needs of the community will be inviting new people into fellowship with Vestal UMC.

8 Transactional vs. Relational Ministry Most outreach ministry is transactional: You ask for something and I help you. You are powerless and I am powerful. A better model of ministry is relational: You are invited into a relationship and your value is acknowledged. I help you even as you help me. We are both powerful. BUT you must be willing to help yourself!

9 Guiding Principles Individuals being served are not clients but friends. Our friends have value/self-worth and can ultimately help themselves. All services or assistance acknowledges that self-worth. As a sign of that worth, friends are asked to provide volunteer service both within the ministry or in the community. No assistance will be offered without reciprocal service. There are plenty of organizations offering handouts.

10 Beacon of Hope Programs Six Program Areas Offered in 2014 Benevolence Financial Assistance Food Co-op Sharing Shop Bridges Out of Poverty Classes Getting Ahead Investigative Classes Community Worship

11 Benevolence Financial Assistance All friends requesting financial assistance for utilities, rent, or other household expenses will be asked to complete volunteer service. 1 hour of service will be required for every $10 (value) of assistance. Exceptions will be made for handicapped individuals. Friends will complete a volunteer service agreement prior to receiving any assistance. Financial assistance will be advanced to meet immediate needs but service hours must be completed within a specified timeframe. No further assistance will be available until the service commitment is fulfilled. Service hours can be completed within other ministry activities or as community service.

12 Food Co-op In partnership with First Baptist Knoxville, a food co-op will be created. Friends will pay a nominal membership fee and small monthly fees to cover non-food expenses. They will also be expected to participate through service involving unloading and sorting of food, straightening up afterwards and being participants in devotional session. Food will be purchased from Second Harvest for redistribution. The existing South Knoxville FISH Pantry will continue to serve the needs of those individuals who do not wish to participate in the Food Co-op.

13 Sharing Shop A clothing and housewares Sharing Shop based on the Church Street model. Donations will be solicited from area churches. A voucher system will be used to earn credits for purchases. Vouchers may be earned through service to the ministry or community service hours. Friends will be asked to participate in organizing, sorting, and running the Sharing Shop.

14 Bridges Out of Poverty Classes Bridges Out of Poverty Classes will be offered to train individuals wanting to work in compassion ministries. Bridges is a powerful learning model for economic and social change and stability. It explains how the environment in which we grew up impacts the way we interact with others and our ability to get ahead. The work is based on patterns that exist in the economic environments of poverty, middle class and wealth. Understanding these patterns is crucial to relating to people in poverty and fostering change. Bridges offers participants tools and training to better meet the needs of those seeking assistance. Bridges is the primary training introduction to all ministry areas of Beacon of Hope. We will also offer a 1 hour Beacon of Hope introduction. Both weekend intensive and 6-week classes will be offered in cooperation with Compassion Coalition.

15 Getting Ahead Classes Getting Ahead (GA) in a Just-Gettin -By World is an innovative approach to helping individuals in poverty. GA is structured around a 32 hour class for up to 15 investigators working out an individualized plan to address their issues of poverty. GA Investigators are paid a living wage for their time in class as the experts in the area of poverty. Facilitators lead the discussion but do not teach; rather the Investigators learn through their own experiences. Childcare, transportation, and meals are provided during GA classes to remove all barriers to success.

16 Community Worship To meet the spiritual needs of our friends, a Community Worship service will be offered one evening per week. A free community meal will encourage the development of relationships of value. The pastor of Vestal UMC along with guests will lead this service.

17 Current Funding First year funding for BOH is being provided through the following: A grant for administration of the program from Church Street UMC Community and Global Concerns. A grant for community based ministry from the Holston Conference Witness team. A grant for GA classes from the Trinity Foundation through Compassion Coalition. A Partnership Grant for the Food Coop from First Baptist Knoxville. Partnership Grants from other churches. Gifts in kind (facility usage) from Vestal UMC.

18 Church Partnerships Church partnerships within the South Knoxville community are essential to the success of Beacon of Hope. Partners are encouraged to support the ministry: Volunteers for all programs including the Sharing Shop, Benevolence Team, Food Coop, and Community Worship. Financial support in exchange for assistance referrals. Consider a monthly gift equal to your usual financial assistance to the community. All resources will be used under strict stewardship guidelines. Additionally pooling resources helps us to help more. Partner churches will have representation on the BOH Advisory Board and help determine the future direction of the ministry.

19 Service Initiatives Service Initiatives will be developed for friends needing community service both within the BOH ministry and the South Knoxville Community. Service in the Sharing Shop, Bridges/GA Classes, or Community Worship. One service opportunity will be the rejuvenation of the property of Vestal UMC. Cleaning, painting, and building and grounds maintenance Vestal UMC service days that include both BOH Friends and Partners. Please contact our director with other community based service opportunities.

20 Non-Profit Status and Administration Beacon of Hope will be administered under the nonprofit status of Church Street UMC during The Program Director is paid by Church Street and reports through the Associate Pastor for Outreach. An Advisory Board will be comprised of church and community members. Financial accounting will be through the business office of Church Street. During 2014 we will investigate whether the ministry is best suited for a stand-alone non-profit status or other administrative models.

21 How Can You Help? By offering prayers for success By becoming a Partner church: Financial partnership Volunteer partnership By supporting Partner Service Days to revitalize Vestal UMC.

22 Contact Information Physical Address: 115 Ogle Avenue Knoxville, TN Business Address: 900 Henley Street Knoxville, TN Program Director: Dona McConnell Pastor of Vestal UMC: Rev. Kevin Blue