Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! I just moved to my new appointment on June 25. Just one week later, my charge completed 100 cleaning buckets. They have been doing this type of project frequently, so I want to give a shout out to my new congregants! For the last several work days, I have intentionally wanted smaller than normal numbers of volunteers so that a tedious but necessary process of doing an inventory could be done. It was essential that we know where we stand. Plus we were able to place pallets of materials on and under the shelves in such a way that we can easily pull whatever is needed. And, experience tells us that the kits that we make will be asked for and used. I take hundreds of kits to local health departments. Also, I keep several boxes of health kits in my truck. When I pass by a field where I see farm laborers–many of whom pass through our area after picking blueberries, pulling sweet corn, and picking cucumbers–only to return in the fall to dig sweet potatoes–, I’ll ask if I can leave some health kits with them. They are always appreciated. And, of course some of those kits will go to shelters if and when they are opened after storms. And, finally, we will ship quite a few of the health kits to West Africa.Which brings us to Thursday, July 18–our regular Third Thursday work day. We’ll open at 9 am. I’ll have as my guest Bishop Samuel Quire from the Liberia Annual Conference. He wants to meet as many volunteers as possible, so that he can thank you personally.And, we’ll be making health kits, school kits, etc. These are the things that we need in order to make the kits: lots of hand towels; lots of combs; lots of fingernail clippers.For School kits, we always need rulers, paper, and scissors. Even though they are not on the UMCOR list anymore, we still have partners who appreciate these kits: layette kits; sewing kits: and, birthing kits. To see what goes into those kits, just Google those words and the old UMCOR websites will come up–along with videos that show you what to do.If you do come on Thursday, please dress for the heat. We have fans, but they can do but so much.
Thanks. Rev. Bill Haddock (Bunn UMC)
