OUTREACH

MARCH MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT :

SAFE HARBOR AT SALVATION ARMY

Safe Harbor works with clients to identify barriers and move toward self-sufficiency. Safe Harbor provides a safe, warm environment to sleep, storage of some personal belongings, breakfast and dinner (some people have meals that are not residents), shower and laundry facilities, and case management services, including access and referral to local resources. Safe Harbor also provides clients with clothes and personal hygiene products when available.

Wesley partners with Safe Harbor on the third Thursday of each month to provide the evening meal for clients. Several groups from the church take turns providing meals throughout the year. Much of the funding for these meals comes from a unique offering taken by our youth group, Surge, called the Souperbowl of Caring Sunday. The Surge ‘Souper Bowl Sunday’ collection this year was $689!

Serve with Safe Harbor! This is an opportunity to share your commitment with our community safely and directly.

Email Steve Brown at: [email protected]

or call 309-826-6803.

Habitat for Humanity

The Bill McConnell Memorial Build will change the lives of two local families by providing duplex housing and will be partly funded by our congregation’s generosity. This duplex will require approximately $125,000 in sponsorships per unit through various sources of donations. Wesley Church is extending our support by collecting for our 2023 Lenten offering.

We will have other fundraisers specifically targeted to fund the Bill McConnell housing project throughout the season. Donors are already contributing, including friends and colleagues of Bill's and the McConnell estate, which has plans for a donation. Money raised this build season by Wesley Church will be utilized for the Bill McConnell Memorial Build, as we would likely not still have this wonderful ministry without Bill and his leadership. Learn more about Bill McConnell and this memorial build at WesleyUMCBloomington.org/BeLikeBill

The Distribution Ministry needs us!

With the large numbers of families we have served over the past several months, our supplies for paper distribution could be much higher. We appreciate all donations which can be dropped off across from Garden Room. Remember that we are also accepting winter coats this month for those in need. To make a monetary donation, simply hit the button below.

Our greatest needs are as follows:

Diaper Wipes

Kleenex

Paper towels

Feminine Hygiene items (pads and liners)

Diapers:

Size Newborn

Size 4, Size 6, Size , Size 3T-4T, Size 4T-5T

Goodnites Sizes X/S, S/M, L

Depends: men and Women

DONATE HERE

Collecting Now for March!

Throughout March, Wesley will collect dental hygiene items for those in need. This will help add to the need for Wesley's Distribution. Please drop items off at the Just One bin across the Wesley Library and Garden Room. To donate funds, please click here.

Loads of Love Laundry Help

Laundry Coin Donations

QUARTERS NEEDED!

Loads of Love meets at The Wash House, 609 N Clinton St. in Bloomington. We collect quarters and assist with payment to those in need every fourth Tuesday. To volunteer, please get in touch with Gary Thompson at (309) 838-1792.

Creation Care Team at Wesley

We encourage you to engage and promote activities that foster an understanding and appreciation of our natural world and encourage others to join this cause.

The Midwest Food Bank is taking detergent bottles to recycle and reuse. Please take yours to 2031 Warehouse Rd, Normal, IL 61761, and help us care for our beautiful world!

You’re invited to join the Prayer Shawl Ministry in March in the Garden Room!

Prayer Shawl Ministry last met on Monday, February 27th. We had several prayer shawls, pocket crosses, and scarves to bless. Thank you!

We have a nice assortment of prayer shawls, so if you know someone who would be blessed with a prayer shawl, please reach out to Phyllis Clay.

Our next meeting will be Monday, March 13th, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Garden Room.