St. Paul's Well Of Generosity

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church believes that we have been called to lives of extravagant generosity.  This is true for each of as individuals as well as a community of faithful people.  One of the ways St. Paul’s UMC practices generosity is through “The Well of Generosity.”  The Well is one of the ways we express our partnerships with a number of friends in Tucson and the world.  We give to the well in hopes that the overflow will create a stream of blessing far beyond our imaginations!

 These are the partnerships funded by “The Well of Generosity.”

Schumaker Elementary School

Did you know that 28% of the kids in our zip code live in single parent households and that over half the kids at Schumaker receive free or subsidized meals?  That’s right and many of them cannot afford school supplies. This year we have provided over 30 weekly tutors, 100 backpacks, a truckload of boxes of school supplies and have paid the salary for a part time music teacher.  St. Paul’s is on a mission to be sure the kids in our neighborhood do not do with out the basics of a good education.

TMM Children's Village

TMM Children's ministers to children of all ages in this group home setting.  This agency is home to many children who have known no other home.  We minister to the children living in Children's Village through monetary and product donations, but also by offering our loving presence as volunteers several times a year. A task force at St. Paul's creatively designs these activities. 

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and TMM Family Services have had a very long relationship together. Much of our efforts and support has been focused on the Children’s Village Ministry of TMM Family Services. The Children’s Village provides a needed temporary place to live for children while they await adoption, return to home of origin or placement in extended foster care. St. Paul’s provides volunteers who visit the Children’s Village and spend time with these kids reading, or playing games. We also provide a Sunday school class on campus for these kids and have special Game Days in the Life Center for all of the children of TMM Family Services. Finally we accept clothing donations for TMM Family Services in the yellow bins outside the church office.
 

At the Advent – Alternative Gift Shop gifts of monetary donations were made in the name of loved ones. The money raised during the Advent – Alternative Gift Shop will be used to help offset the cost of the Game Days activities and Camp scholarships. For more information about TMM Family Services please visit their website at tmmfs.org. If you would like more information about how to volunteer, make donations, or help with the Game Days contact the church office at 296 – 6149.

International Ministries

The community at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church cannot and will not be restrained by the physical boundries of our campus. As a community we are committed to reaching out into the world and sharing our love and generosity. The St. Paul’s United Methodist Church International Ministries Program provides the members of our community with opportunities to live out the St. Paul’s mission statement.
 

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has had a long-standing relationship with John Dean’s Town in Liberia Africa. The love and generosity of our community has contributed to the construction of a school, a medical center, and water well. Continuing contributions help to pay the salaries of teachers and are helping to put nursing students through school so that they can one day work in the medical center. A trip is being planned for 2009 when medical professionals and medical supplies will be taken to John Dean’s Town.
 

Lynn and Larry Young introduced our community to Copacabana, Bolivia and in June of 2007 took a 9-member team of missionaries to South America. While in Copacabana the team helped the local United Methodist Church build hostel style housing. This housing, when finished, will provide a place for visitors who have traveled many miles to worship or attend a meeting to sleep. This housing will also provide a source of income to the church. Another trip is being planned for 2009.

A Spanish language Bible (adult or child) in support of Team Bolivia or an English language children’s Bible in support of John Dean’s Town was purchased at the Advent – Alternative Gift Shop in support of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church International Ministries Program. These Bibles will be inscribed with, “This gift was made in the name of (the recipient of the Alternative Gift Card) in support of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church International Ministries Program.” The Bibles will then be packed up and sent to the appropriate community where they will be distributed. The proceeds from the Bible sales will go to the Missionary Scholarship Fund. Traveling abroad is expensive and may seem out of reach for some would be missionaries. The Missionary Scholarship Fund was established to help offset part of the travel expenses of those who have been called, but cannot afford the full cost.  We would like to thank you for your support. If you have any questions about the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church International Ministries Program please contact church office at during regular office hours.

Operation Hospitality

Even in the beautiful, warm Sonoran Desert, it gets cold in the winter.  Perhaps it’s not cold in our houses, but it sure is if you have to sleep in a wash or on a bus bench.  St. Paul’s co-operates with the Salvation Army by housing homeless men, women and families several weekends a month.  We can always use volunteers as well as financial gifts. 

Community Food Bank

Open Monday through Friday our branch of the Community Food Band provided over 45,000 meals last year.  This ministry is growing all the time!  The food bank is open Monday through Friday from 9-11:30 and can be reached by calling 296-1927.

If you would like to volunteer in one of these areas of ministry, please email Angie McCarty.