Thursday, December 3, 2009
Our wreath program is winding down. We have a few wreaths available at Salem, call 207-678-2611. We are getting ready for the Christmas Shop. We need items for 11-16 yr olds. CDs, movies, gift cards, hair dryers, curling irons, games, etc. Crystal tells me that we have over 100 children for this program this year. Warming center will start in Jan at the Salem site. More info will be coming, but plan to stop in for soup, conversation, crafts, games, puzzles, and fun as well as a warm spot by the wood furnace. We will also be working on no sew draft dodgers to help you keep your home draft free this winter. Come and join us!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Week of Aug 16 to 22, 2009
Wow how did it get to be this late in August already?! Phillips Old Home Days are this weekend with the parade last Friday night. UMEM closed early so staff could have the team closing and they all could go to the parade and festivities in Phillips.
Crawford Memorial and Carter Memorial churches were with us this week and they were sure busy. We finally had some better weather so they did a roof in Coplin Plantation. We partnered on some of the work with Western Maine Community Action. Their contractor Anthony was great to work with.
The team did some painting on the Salem site --- the main building and the cottage. They sealed two porches in Kingfield that were constructed earlier this summer. They also painted some trim on another house in Kingfield. The elderly homeowner was so happy and such a joy to work with.
Part of the team worked on the Back to School program sorting school supplies and packing the backpacks, underwear, sneakers, etc. This group helps each year and we could not do this program without their hard work. Also MANY THANKS to all the churches and individuals who provided funds and items for this program. (Rev. Walter Brown delivered school supplies from the Bolster's Mills UMC to my van here in East Poland tonight.)
While the mission team was out working at their projects, the NOMADS were working at the Salem site. They made an insulated wall for closing off part of what was the furniture shop this winter. They also made a covering for the overhead door so we would be warmer this winter. They installed a new side entrance door that will help keep the cold wind out as well.
It has been a busy week and we look forward to Saratoga UMC who will arrive on Sunday. This is our last week-long group of the season, so we will be pushing to finish all projects. Stay tuned and see what God has in store for us this week.
Blessings,
Kay
Crawford Memorial and Carter Memorial churches were with us this week and they were sure busy. We finally had some better weather so they did a roof in Coplin Plantation. We partnered on some of the work with Western Maine Community Action. Their contractor Anthony was great to work with.
The team did some painting on the Salem site --- the main building and the cottage. They sealed two porches in Kingfield that were constructed earlier this summer. They also painted some trim on another house in Kingfield. The elderly homeowner was so happy and such a joy to work with.
Part of the team worked on the Back to School program sorting school supplies and packing the backpacks, underwear, sneakers, etc. This group helps each year and we could not do this program without their hard work. Also MANY THANKS to all the churches and individuals who provided funds and items for this program. (Rev. Walter Brown delivered school supplies from the Bolster's Mills UMC to my van here in East Poland tonight.)
While the mission team was out working at their projects, the NOMADS were working at the Salem site. They made an insulated wall for closing off part of what was the furniture shop this winter. They also made a covering for the overhead door so we would be warmer this winter. They installed a new side entrance door that will help keep the cold wind out as well.
It has been a busy week and we look forward to Saratoga UMC who will arrive on Sunday. This is our last week-long group of the season, so we will be pushing to finish all projects. Stay tuned and see what God has in store for us this week.
Blessings,
Kay
Friday, August 14, 2009
NOMADS UNDER HOUSE ARREST!
We sure do love our NOMAD friends. They are such a great group and we love having them come. In fact, we love this group so much, we put them under house arrest! We are keeping them close to our site so we can enjoy their company and they are doing wonderful things for our site. Of course we have to put up with their humor, but I guess we can handle that.
Yesterday Henry, Diane and Jake moved a set of steps and made then safer for us. Meanwhile, Claudia is in the bathroom. No, she is not avoiding work. She has been painting our bathrooms so that they will cheer us up this winter. Claudia is a very talented muralist and the admin bathroom now has a critter living there as well as beautiful flowers. We can hardly wait to see what she does to the Thrift Shop bathroom!
Later,
Kay
Yesterday Henry, Diane and Jake moved a set of steps and made then safer for us. Meanwhile, Claudia is in the bathroom. No, she is not avoiding work. She has been painting our bathrooms so that they will cheer us up this winter. Claudia is a very talented muralist and the admin bathroom now has a critter living there as well as beautiful flowers. We can hardly wait to see what she does to the Thrift Shop bathroom!
Later,
Kay
Urgent Need
Help! Here at UMEM we have about 150 children who will need our Back To School Program this year! See earlier post for information on what we need.
We certainly need to assist these young folks to have a successful school experience, but this year we have had a lag in donations for this program. This is the first time this has happened in our years of operating this program. In an effort to bring this need to everyone's attention, we are putting the information on the conference email network. School in this area starts on Aug.24 or 25th so the time is short. If you prefer to send a monetary donation, we will use it to purchase items at local retailers. This has the added benefit of supporting local jobs for the very families we are trying to assist. Your contribution will be acknowledged for tax purposes.
Plattsburg, NY team has been here this week and we have gotten a lot work done in spite of the rain. They have been doing some painting, roofing, bathroom renovation, and carpentry projects. Of course, this group also helps sort clothing, they do odd jobs to improve our site as well. Bless all our hard working, dedicated volunteers, we could not survive without them.
Later,
Kay
We certainly need to assist these young folks to have a successful school experience, but this year we have had a lag in donations for this program. This is the first time this has happened in our years of operating this program. In an effort to bring this need to everyone's attention, we are putting the information on the conference email network. School in this area starts on Aug.24 or 25th so the time is short. If you prefer to send a monetary donation, we will use it to purchase items at local retailers. This has the added benefit of supporting local jobs for the very families we are trying to assist. Your contribution will be acknowledged for tax purposes.
Plattsburg, NY team has been here this week and we have gotten a lot work done in spite of the rain. They have been doing some painting, roofing, bathroom renovation, and carpentry projects. Of course, this group also helps sort clothing, they do odd jobs to improve our site as well. Bless all our hard working, dedicated volunteers, we could not survive without them.
Later,
Kay
Sunday, August 9, 2009
NOMADS
Yes!!! On Saturday I heard the sound of a motor home driving into the field behind the bunkhouse at UMEM in Salem. It was Jake and Claudia arriving for their stay with us. It was so great to see these wonderful friends again. Another couple will be arriving on Sunday and we look forward to getting to know them. This will be a fun time with our NOMAD friends with us. They come and stay for 2-3 weeks and get to know us and the area. They work in the community or on our site for four days each week and then they have three days off. (Retired folks have earned this schedule!)
If you are not familiar with NOMADS, go to their website at NOMADS.com and check them out. We think this is one of the best things that the United Methodist Church has going for it. With NOMADS and the Volunteer in Mission groups that come to work in the community, we are truly blessed. Greg Forrester, the Northeast Jurisdictional Coordinator for Volunteers in Mission says that this is the fastest growing group in the United Methodist Church. Churches who participate in this program say that their congregations are transformed by their experience. Check it out and see what your church might do in mission.
If you are not familiar with NOMADS, go to their website at NOMADS.com and check them out. We think this is one of the best things that the United Methodist Church has going for it. With NOMADS and the Volunteer in Mission groups that come to work in the community, we are truly blessed. Greg Forrester, the Northeast Jurisdictional Coordinator for Volunteers in Mission says that this is the fastest growing group in the United Methodist Church. Churches who participate in this program say that their congregations are transformed by their experience. Check it out and see what your church might do in mission.
Week of Aug 9 - 15, 2009
What will this week bring? We have many roofs that need attention in the area. We hope to work on one in Rangeley this week. The elderly gentleman who owns the home will be much warmer and DRYER if we can get this work done. Please pray for sunshine this week, we do not need more rain right now. If we are to complete all the roofing that is needed, we will need the rest of the season to be warm and dry.
We are also working on the Back to School program. So far we have about 100 applications and more are coming in each day. We expect to have between 140-150 applications in all. That means that we will really need a lot of churches and individuals to step forward with donations. We will need funds to purchase new sneakers, also we need new underwear for all the students. Remember, the boys prefer boxers. We also need a three ring binder for each student. Some schools are requesting one for each subject. I was able to purchase a 1 inch binder at Wal-mart for $1.27 last week. Some of the office supply stores are having sales right now as well. As always, we need backpacks, crayons, markers, notebook paper, pens, pencils, erasers, school scissors, glue sticks, boxes of tissues (for the classroom), rulers, etc. etc.
Every time I shop for school supplies the smell of crayons takes me back to being 6 years old and getting my box of 48 crayons for first grade. Just the smell of crayons makes all of us little children again ..... Jesus said, "Let the children come to me....." I think Jesus knew that in each of us there is still a child. When we come to Jesus as a child, we come with a special trust that He will love us --- just as we are --- and then lead us to where He wants us to be. So smell the crayons and be a child again, it is good for the soul.
Later --- gator, after while --- crockodile, toodle loo --- kangaroo,
(the morning good-bye for our daughter for all her school years, and sometimes even now)
Kay
We are also working on the Back to School program. So far we have about 100 applications and more are coming in each day. We expect to have between 140-150 applications in all. That means that we will really need a lot of churches and individuals to step forward with donations. We will need funds to purchase new sneakers, also we need new underwear for all the students. Remember, the boys prefer boxers. We also need a three ring binder for each student. Some schools are requesting one for each subject. I was able to purchase a 1 inch binder at Wal-mart for $1.27 last week. Some of the office supply stores are having sales right now as well. As always, we need backpacks, crayons, markers, notebook paper, pens, pencils, erasers, school scissors, glue sticks, boxes of tissues (for the classroom), rulers, etc. etc.
Every time I shop for school supplies the smell of crayons takes me back to being 6 years old and getting my box of 48 crayons for first grade. Just the smell of crayons makes all of us little children again ..... Jesus said, "Let the children come to me....." I think Jesus knew that in each of us there is still a child. When we come to Jesus as a child, we come with a special trust that He will love us --- just as we are --- and then lead us to where He wants us to be. So smell the crayons and be a child again, it is good for the soul.
Later --- gator, after while --- crockodile, toodle loo --- kangaroo,
(the morning good-bye for our daughter for all her school years, and sometimes even now)
Kay
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Back to school program
It is that time of year again --- thoughts of school clothes, sneakers, backpacks and school supplies are on all parents minds. For parents who are already struggling with unemployment or underemployment, these additional needs are overwhelming. For many years, UMEM has assisted between 100 and 145 children with their back to school needs. In Luke 10:14 Jesus said, "...let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Children who do not have the necessary basics for school ARE hindered; they cannot do their best work without the basic supplies.
Individuals and churches have always been very generous with gifts to this program. We appreciate the many hours that are spent in collecting, sorting and distributing items. We are especially thankful to the mission teams who take part in this program in a variety of ways. Without all of you this program would not be able to meet the needs of the students and schools.
In the past few years, the lists we obtain from each school seem to be longer and more specific. While we are grateful for all donations to this program, there are some things that are in great demand. The list below is in no way complete, but is meant as suggestions of our most needed items.
Funds to purchase new sneakers --- while we do accept new sneakers, it is usually more efficient if we purchase the sneakers locally with donations. Once we have the applications, we have a group that will do the purchasing and assist with packing. So, if you would like to donate the price of sneakers, that would be very welcome.
New backpacks or funds to purchase them. Needed for all ages K-teens.
3 ring binders --- schools are requiring students to have 1,2, and 3" binders. (The spiral notebooks are not on most school lists, but if you already have them, send them along.)
new socks and underwear --- for kids K-12, also adult sizes --- for the boys, we request boxers rather than briefs --- almost none of the boys are wearing briefs now.
Scientific calculators --- freshmen in our schools are expected to have one. The $10 Walmart scientific calculator is fine.
Of course the usual school supplies of pens, pencils, paper, tape, glue, crayons, markers, erasers, etc. are always needed. Any of these basics that are left after the backpacks are filled are taken to the five elementary schools and the two highschools in the area.
All items would need to be at UMEM by Aug. 14 if possible. School is starting early this year and we need to distribute the backpacks the latter part of Aug., probably by the 20th.
Blessings to all of you who support this program, you truly "heard" Jesus' call to help the children and not to hinder them.
till later,
Kay
Individuals and churches have always been very generous with gifts to this program. We appreciate the many hours that are spent in collecting, sorting and distributing items. We are especially thankful to the mission teams who take part in this program in a variety of ways. Without all of you this program would not be able to meet the needs of the students and schools.
In the past few years, the lists we obtain from each school seem to be longer and more specific. While we are grateful for all donations to this program, there are some things that are in great demand. The list below is in no way complete, but is meant as suggestions of our most needed items.
Funds to purchase new sneakers --- while we do accept new sneakers, it is usually more efficient if we purchase the sneakers locally with donations. Once we have the applications, we have a group that will do the purchasing and assist with packing. So, if you would like to donate the price of sneakers, that would be very welcome.
New backpacks or funds to purchase them. Needed for all ages K-teens.
3 ring binders --- schools are requiring students to have 1,2, and 3" binders. (The spiral notebooks are not on most school lists, but if you already have them, send them along.)
new socks and underwear --- for kids K-12, also adult sizes --- for the boys, we request boxers rather than briefs --- almost none of the boys are wearing briefs now.
Scientific calculators --- freshmen in our schools are expected to have one. The $10 Walmart scientific calculator is fine.
Of course the usual school supplies of pens, pencils, paper, tape, glue, crayons, markers, erasers, etc. are always needed. Any of these basics that are left after the backpacks are filled are taken to the five elementary schools and the two highschools in the area.
All items would need to be at UMEM by Aug. 14 if possible. School is starting early this year and we need to distribute the backpacks the latter part of Aug., probably by the 20th.
Blessings to all of you who support this program, you truly "heard" Jesus' call to help the children and not to hinder them.
till later,
Kay
Monday, July 27, 2009
July 27, 2009
Last week's dental team saw a total of 50 patients in a day and a half. Patients told us that they were so happy with the work done and that the dentists were just wonderful. One patient who had two extractions, two fillings and a cleaning told us that he was standing in front of his mirror practicing his smile! A woman who had a filling in a front tooth said that she was so glad that she could smile again without feeling self conscious about her teeth. A young man who had been in pain from an impacted wisdom tooth had a difficult extraction, but was so glad to have that tooth gone. His mom called to thank us for hosting the dental clinic.
For those who needed a boost of their self esteem, the dentists were ready to do their special magic of dentistry and showing God's love for each person. This was no cold, impersonal dental clinic --- hugs and smiles were shared by all as each dentist explained what they were doing and what to expect. The gentleness was truly a blessing for those who do not often get treated with the care and compassion that they found here. God bless the patients and the dentists!
For those who needed a boost of their self esteem, the dentists were ready to do their special magic of dentistry and showing God's love for each person. This was no cold, impersonal dental clinic --- hugs and smiles were shared by all as each dentist explained what they were doing and what to expect. The gentleness was truly a blessing for those who do not often get treated with the care and compassion that they found here. God bless the patients and the dentists!
Friday, July 24, 2009
- July 24,2009 Rain, rain, rain! Housing work is difficult this year with all of the rain. We have six roofs waiting for attention and several painting jobs waiting as well. Pray for sun! This week we have the group from North Boston Korean UMC here at the ministry. Yesterday they were able to do some outside painting at a home in Phillips as well as some painting on the front of our thrift shop here in Salem. This group also brings a dental team who work for a day and a half here at Salem. Dr. Shin has a practice in Boston and teaches at Tufts Dental School. Dr. Kim is his associate. During their time here they will treat more than fifty area residents for cleanings, fillings and some extractions. For most of these residents this is the only dental care they will be able to have this year. We are very appreciative of the faithfulness of this church and these wonderful people.
Till next time,
Kay
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