The MUMMs Report
Charge Conference Report Macedonia United Methodist Men’s Group
The Men’s Group has continued to grow in numbers, from 18 to 23, including 5 Honorary Members. Our meetings are pretty well attended (12 to 15) with good participation during meetings. The volume of volunteer events has consistently increased, as defined in the following paragraphs. Change comes to our congregation and community at a greater and at times, more frightening pace, as we help friends and neighbors impacted by the economy, hurricanes and earthquake tremors. A segment of Louisa was identified as the epicenter for a significant earthquake that impacted the whole East Coast. Insurance covers little in this relatively low income, working class community and a Christian spirit of helping is essential motivation during our upcoming recovery effort.
Our Mission Statement (1) To encourage and support Christian and Spiritual development among the men of the church. Given the complexity of activities/projects and events at Church, an attempt is being made to establish an additional/separate Spiritual Leadership role within the Men’s Group. This spiritual leader would focus on assuring appropriate emphasis on ongoing Christian and Spiritual Development.
(2) Assist the youth leaders of the church with youth activities consistent with Spiritual growth and youth serving ministries. Men’s Group members are now participating directly in both planning and delivery of youth events. We hope to mentor our youth and foster meaningful growth in our relationships. We are supportive (funding and hands–on assistance) of efforts to physically alter the Youth Meeting area to increase its appeal as a center for social activity; a destination for them and their peers. We are participating in planning to assure growth in Youth Ministries and to be able to provide them opportunities to deliver hands-on support within the community. The senior male youth are being invited to join the Men’s Group as part of a transition to adult hood.
(3) Support the church and local community with our time and financial assistance in order to promote ministry and good will. Invitations were extended to our local non-profit Housing Authority, JABA, Social Services, and multiple (local) volunteer organizations to work with us to identify appropriate hands-on projects for our Men’s Group. Simultaneously, we extended invitations to the leadership of the Men’s Groups in local (8 square miles) Christian churches to join us in working on projects that benefit the local community. Our intention is to meet with other groups so we can work together on a social, Spiritual and hands-on (community development) level. An offspring of our action was to also extend invitations to the leadership of women’s and Youth groups in the local community to contact our respective group leaders. As of this date, Sept. 10th, introductory meetings are being scheduled with each Church that responds. We hope to work out mutual objectives. It is anticipated that Men’s Group members from multiple churches might work together on projects to benefit the local community. A separate chapter of Building Goodness may need to be established to provide members protection from frivolous suits in this litigious society.
(4) Support and work with the county chapter of Habitat for Humanity. During 2010 the Men’s Group was recognized for contributing over 250 hours of volunteer labor for Habitat for Humanity. Our church continues to support Habitat for Humanity on a regular financial basis. Currently, there isn’t any Habitat for Humanity work available. In place of this, the men have lent a hand regularly on a variety of projects to assist others in the local community. When we respond to requests for assistance, we consistently supplement our core team of volunteers with the company of neighbors and friends who enjoy working with us. We consider their involvement a great blessing! The community wide effort mentioned above should result in the generation of a list of ongoing projects that benefit the community while building and reinforcing Christian values.
(5) Reach out to county and state organizations to assist with mission support and to promote awareness of our organizations, our church and the doctrines and beliefs of the United Methodist Church. If our invitations are received gracefully, we will enter a phase of community relations in which local charitable organizations, men of multiple churches, our youth and women’s groups will regularly work to help the less fortunate in our community.
We are attempting to increase our influence and impact on each of the five areas identified within our Mission Statement. Within the Church we are working more closely with the Women’s Group and Youth Leaders. Outside the Church, we are attempting to expand our influence and impact with emphasis on the local (circumference of 8 miles) community of Louisa.
We are continuing several activities, including our quarterly Men’s Breakfast and quarterly road clean-ups on East Jack Jouett and 2 ½ miles of Byrd Mill road. This last year we also arranged a well attended road clean-up, drawing neighbors from Reedy Creek, for an additional 4 miles of Rte 208. We continue to host the ladies of the Women’s Group for breakfast on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. We do the Mother’s Day church service with each lady receiving a beautiful carnation. We take the youth fishing twice a year and offer to take smaller groups fishing any time they desire. We prepare and serve a Hunters/Community breakfast the second Saturday of deer season as a fund raiser. We are actively involved in the annual Chicken Barbeque as well as a major annual Homecoming event. We’ll also be conducting our annual Chili/Soup/stew cook-off fund raiser in the beginning of January. During July, VDOT completed the re-routing of Byrd Mill road (in front of the church) and a Men’s Group Sub-Committee designed and then worked closely with the contractor to establish new access and parking for our congregation. This same committee will be responsible for landscape design and lighting for the parking lot. We were actively involved with supporting roles in Vacation Bible School last year. This year we were disappointed that Vacation Bible School didn’t occur, due to issues beyond our control. We assumed responsibility for maintenance of our Chapel and Social Hall.
Our efforts enabled us to share our blessings within our church, local and global community. Our Sr. Youth Group, attempting to make their social area more welcoming, received $433.00 from our Chili Cook-off. An additional $200.00 was provided the Jr. Youth group. UMCOR received $840.00 from a combination of Men’s Group and individual member contributions. A local nursing home received a gift of $200.00 and the United Methodist Foundation received $100.00 for the Boy Scouts. A donation of $600.00 is earmarked for local earthquake relief efforts. Due to the earthquake, fund raising activities will occur at a relatively feverish level as part of recovery efforts. We have requested local churches notify us of their recovery related fund raising efforts, which we will broadcast to our congregation to attend and support. We continue to care for the needy in our community, not on Holidays but as a way of life. As incoming President of the Men’s Group I was proud to find, a week after the earthquake, that most of the men I was seeking for a community project weren’t available because they were already out helping others.
We received recognition again this year from Habitat for Humanity and the Volunteers of Louisa organization. At times the belief is voiced that “If people in the community knew half of what the members of the Macedonia United Methodist congregation do, they would flock to our church.” If we continue on our current path, it may become difficult to avoid community recognition and this dream may be realized.
