“Back to School Event”: Bethany Christian Services Foster Care Program in Holland will be hosting a “Back to School Event” for foster and adoptive children in care during August. At this event they will be having food, activities, haircuts, entertainment, and also distributing school supplies to at-risk children.

 They have asked to partner with our church (and others as well) to collect items such as backpacks, pencils, pencil boxes, pens, crayons, scissors, paper, folders and various other school supplies.

During the month of July we will be collecting these items (instead of food) and a white drop box is available in back of the sanctuary. Thanks in advance for helping a child prepare for school this fall.

BREAD PAN OFFERING FOR JULY: HENDERSON SETTLEMENT

On September 7, a group of people will be leaving for Henderson Settlement and all will stay for two weeks. While there they will be replacing a porch, building steps, applying vinyl soffit to overhangs and a ceiling on the porch; installing insulation and an underskirt to a room addition; replacing a bathroom window; installing basement windows; and applying vinyl siding and soffit to a storage building. WOW!

The group also consider themselves as God’s witnesses and pray that they may lead others to God in some way. Keep the following in prayer: Al & Bev Kindig (trip organizers), Barb Appledorn, Phyllis Boal, Dave Diehl, Jake & Lorelle Eberly, Steve Hightower, Dick Roe, Kathy Smith, Lee & Dianna Strebel and Mark Talsma.

An offering will be taken on July 20 to offset material costs. Please remember those less fortunate and give generously.

MIGRANT READING PROGRAM This year our migrant story hour begins on Wednesday, June 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. and meets throughout the summer thru July 30. Our church is assigned to bring snacks to the Pine Acres Camp on June 11, July 9 and July 23. If you could supply one of those nights (enough for around 25) please call Mary De Ridder at 396-5205, ext. 18.

The Pine Acres Camp is located on New Holland St. between 136th and 144th Ave. across from the new Macatawa Legends Development, and a camp is also located on Quincy, which you may go to as well. (Pick up a map from Mary De Ridder.) You are welcome to bring books to donate to the program if you wish. The children get to take a book home with them each week.

Take a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. You do not have to come every week—come when you can. Adult and youth are welcome to participate. If it rains, the event will be cancelled

BREAD PAN OFFERING FOR JUNE: JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

JFON is a faith-driven ministry, welcoming immigrants into our church and community by providing free, high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. Our church uses Susan Reed, an immigration attorney as well as a church-community minister through the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Half of Susan's salary comes from that Board and half comes through grants, church monies, and individuals. We have a clinic once a month and Grand Rapids has a clinic once a month and usually have between 8 to 10 persons at each clinic. We share Susan's services at each of these clinics.

Otherwise this is a volunteer run ministry and our church has about 35 trained volunteers including a few from the community and interpreters if needed. We provide hospitality, including food and child care. Our church provides in-kind donations of lights, water, kitchen facilities, and rooms in which to do intakes. Several churches in the area also send money to this important ministry. We hope you will help support this important ministry of our church.

PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY On June 29, United Methodist churches will celebrate “Peace with Justice Sunday” by receiving a special offering. The offering enables the denomination’s voice in advocating for peace and justice at home and around the world. Peace with Justice Sunday gifts empower compassionate people to advocate for human rights, buy fair-trade products, care for the environment, demonstrate for important causes, eradicate poverty, feed the hungry, mediate conflict provide health care, seek affordable housing and model nonviolence. The Special Sunday offering funds global outreach through the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) and annual conference-related peace with justice ministries that transform lives.