January 28, 2021 - What's Happening at Dayspring UMC

January 28, 2021

KID CONNECT

Children's Ministry has launched a new program to keep in touch with children in our congregation. Children who are signed up for this program will hear from one of our Children's Ministry Leaders or Sunday school teachers via a phone call, email, or note in the mail (all of our callers have been background checked through our Safe Sanctuaries program). Additionally, there will be some door drops with a surprise at your doorstep every once in a while. Parents must opt-in on behalf of their children by completing a short form HERE.

GIVING GARDEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Giving Garden Team has 10 types of seeds saved in the garden shed ready for processing. (dill, alyssum, basil, calendula, bachelor buttons, artichoke, luffa, eggplant, chukkakura and moringa.) The team is wondering if any supporters would have time and motivation to help separate the seeds from the chaff, and place them in envelopes. No previous experience is necessary, training will be provided. A masked garden team member would meet interested persons by the shed (at a distance of 6 feet or more) to distribute the seeds, give a demonstration, and answer questions. If you are interested, please email garden@dayspring-umc.org.

OPENING TO GOD

You are invited, through Zoom, to an hour any or every Friday morning at 10:30 to find new ways to listen to God. Each week we will have a time of silence followed by lectio divina or guided meditation or another new or different way to pray to God. We will explore practices from many traditions and times. Please email Pastor Shirley at shirley@dayspringumc.org to register and receive the Zoom link. It is not necessary to participate in every session - come when you are able!

THANKING MEDICAL WORKERS

As tired as we all are of dealing with this global pandemic, imagine how tired medical workers are of it! One Dayspring member who works at a local hospital wrote:

"My colleagues working the inpatient COVID units and ICU are really burning out emotionally with the pandemic, the number of death/poor outcomes and the challenges associated with this. This stress has been placed on them non-stop since April."

Help us remind these essential workers how important they are and how much we STILL appreciate their hard work. Please consider writing notes, drawings, cards, signs that we can distribute to the inpatient COVID staff at our local hospitals. We have set a collection box outside the church gate or you may mail these to the church (please write "COVID Medical Thank You" on the back of the envelope).

VACCINE REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE

If you have had a difficult time registering online for the COVID vaccine, please email the church office or call (480) 838-1446. Currently, vaccination of people over 65 is only available at state-operated locations (State Farm and Phoenix Municipal Stadium); however, as of January 20, appointments at these sites are currently booked through February. We have volunteers available to help you sign up before that wait gets longer. PLEASE NOTE: We do not have access to any earlier appointments, we are simply providing technical support to sign up.

VACCINE POD VOLUNTEERING

If you are healthy and able to stand for long periods of time, consider volunteering (no medical experience needed) at one of the vaccination distribution sites. You'll help others receive this important vaccine and you may even receive a vaccine as a thank you for volunteering if it is available. A background check is required, so the process does take some time.

Step1: register with the county HERE

Step2: fill out the docusign embedded in the application.

Step 3: upload a driver’s license and complete application

Step 4: Wait for email confirmation to sign-up for volunteer opportunities at the vaccine pods.