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- Hear from Greg Jarrell of QC Family Tree- the beneficiaries of this year's Easter Offering
- Opportunities to serve here in Charlotte and around the world
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The work of our ministry partners is supported by your above and beyond giving through
Jubilee Plus!
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Your Easter Offering: QC Family Tree
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Greg and Helms Jarrell are the founders of QC Family Tree, the beneficiaries of this year's Easter Offering. Greg began a recent talk about the cost of ongoing transition in his West Charlotte neighborhood by presenting the concept of "
root shock"- where a transplanted tree cannot thrive after its vital root system has been damaged. Our neighbors whose families have been repeatedly displaced over generations often struggle in a similar way.
QC Family Tree calls itself "kinfolk rooted in discipleship in West Charlotte." They envision a future where "on Earth as it is in Heaven" are more than just words spoken Sunday mornings, but instead an image of the community they build. In a city as segregated as Charlotte, they are radically welcoming- and believe everyone is family and has something to contribute, especially those who have historically been marginalized or left out.
QC Family Tree works to address the legacy of the "root shock" experienced by the neighbors in their community of Enderly Park. They are building a stable, flourishing community through developing strong, creative children and youth... through social entrepreneurship... and through maintaining and creating affordable housing (a significant challenge in a rapidly-gentrifying part of town). Best of all, they do these things by living and working within the community with whom they are serving- because they are family.
The radical welcome extended to neighbors in Enderly Park carries on to neighbors from further afield... and we would all be blessed to become family, whether for a few hours or longer. Lead games at a youth devotional, join for a family meal, participate in an art workshop or work in the garden- but don't miss the opportunity to see the vision of what Charlotte can be.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for giving us such a beautiful family with whom we share this world. Help us to follow in your Son's footsteps and build relationships with our brothers and sisters here in Charlotte and around the world, that we might build a community here on Earth like we will one day see in Heaven.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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A team from MPUMC and Providence UMC served last month in Lumberton, NC, helping people there rebuild after the recent floods.
If you'd like to join the next trip to Lumberton, scroll down to read more about National and International opportunities!
We're always thrilled to hear your stories about who you meet during the 100k Dream! Send your stories and hours served to 100kDream@mpumc.org.
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Local Opportunities to Serve
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Prepare Our Garden Beds -
The MPUMC Garden Ministry needs help preparing and tilling garden beds for spring planting. Join us on Earth Day- April 22nd, from 9am-noon. With questions, contact Mike Farrell:
mikefarrell1950@gmail.com
. RSVP by clicking here!
April Collection - This month we are collecting items to be distributed by the commissary at Men's Shelter of Charlotte. Donate socks, t-shirts, boxer shorts, belts and toiletry items (razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.) through April 23rd in the marked bin in the Parish Life Building lobby. Questions? Contact Cindylu Brubaker at cindylubrubaker@twc.com or 770-655-5993.
Donate Items to the Salvation Army - Just in time for spring cleaning, MPUMC will host a Salvation Army collection truck on Saturday, April 29th, from 9am till noon. Volunteers will be on hand to provide receipts for donated items.
Second Harvest Food Bank - Please come join us to serve at the Second Harvest Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry on Monday, April 17th from 4 to 6 PM at Druid Hills Academy, 2801 Lucena Street Charlotte 28206. There will be another Mobile Food Pantry at Walter G. Byers Elementary School on Tuesday, May 9th. If interested contact David Dulin at ddulin@uwcentralcarolinas.org and 704-650-3217.
Support QC Family Tree While Shopping for Mother's Day - Buy a perfect Mother's day gift at the Pottery Sale on April 22nd from 10am-2pm at 2910 Parkway Ave.
Augustine Literacy Project Info Session -
Have a cup of coffee and learn about Augustine Literacy Project, which provides free, one-on-one instruction in reading, writing, and spelling to low-income students. The info session will take place on Thursday, April 27th, from 10am-11am at Sterling Elementary School, 9601 China Grove Rd. in Pineville. RSVP to jheath@alpcharlotte.org.
Make Jewelry With Refugee Support Services - Now that spring and summer have arrived, our friends at Refugee Support Services have put away their knitting needles and started making jewelry. Join them Thursdays from 10am-noon at the Galilee Center, 3601 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, or donate beads and jewelry-making tools. Questions, contact Rachel Humphries: rachelhumphries@refugeesupportservices.org
Sort Donations at Loaves & Fishes - We meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 9-11:30 a.m. at Loaves and Fishes warehouse located at 648 Griffith Road, Charlotte, NC, to sort donated food. For more info please contact Laura Weller at lauraoweller@yahoo.com. Hope to see you there!
Provide Snacks for Sedgefield Soccer - Sedgefield Middle School's sports teams need snacks before an after their games throughout the spring. Sign up now to bring a snack- and stay to cheer on the athletes!
Local Ministry Partner Appreciation - Each month, MPUMC plans to celebrate one of our local ministry partners by hosting a small "staff appreciation" event- generally something such as cookies, pizza and a thank-you card. If you would be interested in helping to thank our ministry partners, contact Megan Jones at
mjones@mpumc.org.
Save the Dates for Freedom School -
our Freedom School partnership celebrates its 11th year, June 19th-July 27th. We have a variety of opportunities for lay servants, including serving on the leadership team, as well as readers, field trip chaperones, snack providers and more! Be the difference for our scholars who want to continue learning throughout the summer. Contact Freedom School Chair, Ellen Underwood at ecunderw@bellsouth.net for more information.
Test Proctors - Our partner schools, Sedgefield Elementary and Sedgefield Middle, need proctors to help students succeed with end-of-year testing. Register
here
for Sedgefield Elementary, and email Lisa Howell at
lisaruns@icloud.com
for Sedgefield Middle
.
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National and International Opportunities
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Learn from ZOE Staff - Reegan Kaberia, ZOE Chief Program Officer and Kenya Country Director, and Gaston Warner, ZOE CEO, will be presenting a program at 7PM on April 19th, at Providence UMC. More details can be found
here.
Emergency Response Team Trip to Lumberton, NC -
Travel May 15th - 18th, housing provided by the Western North Carolina Conference. Help the community rebuild after recent floods. With questions or to sign up, reach Thom Sumner: thomsum@bellsouth.net.
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Be a VBS Super Hero - Vacation Bible School is set for June 19-22, with the theme of Hero Central. Won't you join our team of super heroes planning this cherished church tradition? We need 100 adult and youth volunteers to make this program a success. E-mail VBS planning team leader Jennifer Ross at
vbsjennross@gmail.com or Sarah Sumner in Children's Ministries at
sarah@mpumc.org. Signups for children start in March.
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