In the Community

 

Winter Patrol - Taking it to the Streets
The CUMC Winter Patrol Team consists of people who share the love of Christ with the homeless.  This mission is accomplished by delivering much needed items to the people living on the street.

In addition to walking the streets and handing out food, blankets, coats, hats, and other necessities, we spend time sharing Christ with people who may not have another means to hear the Good News. This ministry, founded by Jim and Cheryl Shoffstall, is lead by the Shoffstalls and Steve Barrett.

Contact: Cheryl Shoffstall, angelmom137@aol.com

Birthday Wishes for Homeless Children

"Our group celebrates the important event of a birthday in a child's life," said Brenda O'Connor. "We provide all the bells and whistles, right down to candles on the cake!"

Parties are held on the first Sunday of each month at New Life Evangelistic Center and Belleville Crisis Center. The team uses these opportunities to minister to the children's spiritual, physical, and mental needs.

If you would like to help make children feel special, regardless of their living situation, please contact Brenda O'Connor at 233-7552 or at brendacoconnor@yahoo.com. She and Jill Lequatte invite others to join them as they reach out to recognize the children of God.

Nursing Home Visitation
This program, started in November 2000, now involves more than 30 volunteers who are matched with a specific nursing home resident for regular visits. Additional volunteers are needed.

Two related components of this ministry – “Project Christmas Cheer” providing gifts for nearly 150 residents at ten local nursing homes and collecting toiletry items for Christmas carolers to distribute to nursing homes and shut-ins. Contacts:
Rev. Jeff Bealmear, 618.277.4659 or Jean Casey, 618.622.1647

Fairview Heights Food Area Food Pantry
There is always an urgent need for cash donations, as well as canned or non-refrigerated items to assist in feeding the hungry. You may bring your gifts to the church. There is a Food Pantry Bin in the Soda Machine Room at the Church for the non-refrigerated grocery items. A cash gift for this outreach may be made by writing a check payable to Christ UMC, with a note in the check memo field designating the gift for the food pantry.

Belleville Christian Center
Volunteers donate cash, food and serve lunch at the center the 3rd Friday of every month and 4th Saturday of every month. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information - Contacts:
Friday Lunch - Nancy Fuller, 618.628.0067

Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House
A United Methodist Church Multipurpose Community Center, located in East St. Louis and serving 3,500 children, youth, families and individuals. In-kind and cash welcome. Contact: Rev. Brad Watkins, bradleywatkins@go.com

Ralph and Nancy Fuller
Collect donations of furniture and household supplies to support Lessie Bates clients (including Katrinia refugees), Don Bosco Center, Violence Prevention Center, East St. Louis and Washington Park Elementary schools, Fairview Heights Food Pantry, Belleville Christian Center Food Pantry, Volunteer Interfaith Caregivers transportation program and Foster Parent resource assistant. For information on how you might assist – Contact: Nancy Fuller, 618.628.0067

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Outreach News

'Birthday in a Box'
Christ UMC Volunteers Give Homeless Children Smiles

Read this Belleville News Democrat Feature

St. Olaf's College Students Join Christ Church Winter Patrol

In a three-day mission trip to Fairview Heights in October, 22 students from
St. Olaf's College experienced ministering to the homeless in downtown St. Louis. The students' home base was Christ UMC, and they were here to team with the church members in the Winter Patrol Ministry.

There was a little time for fun - but the students spent most of their time in ministry. They sorted 80,000 pills for the church medical mission team that leaves for Honduras Oct. 21.

Together with CUMC's Winter Patrol they distributed heavy coats, gloves and food to St. Louis homeless and served a roast beef dinner to more than 200 in the New Life Evangelistic Center, a residential center for homeless.

A nationally recognized liberal arts college in Northfield, MN., St. Olaf's is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

An Email One of the St. Olaf Students

I was with the St. Olaf FCA group who came to stay with you to do a mission trip. I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you. The weekend was amazing.

Seeing you and your church outstretch their arms in such a warm way was just so exciting to me. We so much appreciated every thing you did for us. I could just see God living through you, and that made me excited and made me want to strive for more.

Getting to help with the homeless was also a very eye-opening experience. Before we got out of the cars, I got very nervous, not knowing what to expect. The minute I stepped out of the van, I felt God working through me and the nerves quickly left. I just want you to know how much of an impact you have had on me. The weekend helped to strengthen my faith in God, knowing that God has given me a purpose, to spread his love. Thank you for sharing God's love with our FCA group.

God Bless,
Hannah

St. Olaf students at CUMC and Winter Patrol Photo Album