YOUTH NEWS!

I am so very proud of the youth group for the excellent service they ran on Mother's Day!  Thank you Ofa, Mele, Nick, Stevie, Taylor, Lela, Tommy and Lala.  Thanks also to Oliva and Oki for the wonderful dance and everyone who participated.
 
Thanks again to the praise band that played for the youth Sunday.  They call themselves Steady Mile.  They are already booked for First Night and next year's Good Old Days!
 
The next youth fundraiser will be on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day).  Be looking for a flyer which when used at the California Pizza Kitchen at the Del Monte Shopping Center will earn us 20% on the amount of the bill.  This is an easy and fun way to help us out. 

Donna Brandt, Director of Youth Ministries

Praise for the Youth!!! 

What a heartfelt service for Mothers and All this past Sunday!  The music, the messages, the commitment were such a blessing!  Thank you to Donna and all who work so hard with the children and youth of our congregation.  Well done!  We are proud of you!    

The Worship Team

Mission to Swaziland: Please Care and Share
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16

The love and generous donations from our church given for the 2009 Volunteers in Mission (VIM) trip to Swaziland brought hope to many who have little and helped many important ministries at work there. In preparation for this year's trip in August, the VIM team asked Chris McLain (the VIM volunteer in Swaziland) how we can help the children at the new rural Lomngeletjane Methodist school we helped fund. The new school has 150 children in grades 1-4 with a new classroom block for grades 5-7 nearly complete.

Chris replied "Most of the children in this area are orphaned and/or vulnerable and are attending school for the first time. Many children don't have uniforms and, if they do, they are usually too small or have been torn and patched many, many times.  In addition, many children don't have sweaters or track suits to wear during the cold winter months or decent shoes and socks. 

Three students at Lomngeletjane school. Their uniforms are well worn!

While uniforms are required by the government, luckily children are still allowed to come to school if they don't have one.  However, the lack of a uniform, especially a decent one, highlights their poverty and/or circumstances and leads to decreased self-esteem.  A child without a decent uniform is often more quiet and withdrawn."

The average cost of a school uniform is $65 which includes a shirt and dress/pants, track suit, shoes, underwear and socks. We are asking everyone to "care and share" for these children and make a donation toward a child's uniform by July 15 in support of our ongoing mission and ministry in Swaziland. Every donation will make a significant difference in a child's future. Please make your check payable to First United Methodist Church with a note "Swaziland Ministry" on the check or envelope. All donations are fully tax deductible.

Outreach Committee and VIM team members

Jane Cross and Vickie Zufelt

Mark Your Calendars!!

• JUNE 12 - Clear your calendar and spend the day with family and friends at FUMC PG...Make a day of it!
   
• Sundy morning worship service will include

  a Commissioning Service to send Mark to his new role as a chaplain at CHOMP.
   

• Family Circle will sponsor an ALL CHURCH FAREWELL POTLUCK LUNCHEON following worship in Grantham Hall.  Bring a dish to share and join the fun!
   

• The FUMC PG Music Ministry Team will present
  "Make A Joyful Noise" - A free concert featuring the music ministries of our church on Sunday June 12 - 3:00pm. Inpart celebrating Barbara Vella's 50th anniversary as a church organist.
   

• "Children of the Bible, Part 2" is coming to the FUMC PG
  Vacation Bible School - June 13-17 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm