Southwood Cares, Southwood Shares!
The following are a few of the mission opportunities at Southwood:
reStart
This is the Homeless Shelter in downtown Kansas City serving homeless individuals and families who need a temporary place to stay. Southwood has been a benefactor of this agency over the years providing meals, back-to-school supplies and uniforms, milk money and food items, such as turkeys and hams during the winter holidays. In the summer of 2007 we collected $500 for uniforms and 539 school supply items including pencils, crayons, backpacks and paper for the children staying at the shelter so they can go “Back-to-School” with the proper clothing and supplies.
REAP
Raytown Emergency Assistance Program helps any family in need that has a child attending a Raytown school. REAP is in the process of building a new facility in the community to assist individuals and families who are experiencing hard times. Southwood members drop off food items at the church to be taken to REAP. Some suggested items are hot cocoa mixes, macaroni and cheese, chicken noodle soup, bars of soap and facial tissues—anything you might need, they need also.
All Church Offerings (5 for 5)
Although Southwood has numerous mission emphases, these five focus on our outreach to all of our neighbors around the world:
- Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM ministries beyond the local church)
- Strengthen the Church (helps local UCC churches and trains leaders/pastors)
- Neighbors in Need (US missions)
- One Great Hour of Sharing (global relief)
- The Christmas Fund (helps retired pastors with little or no pension)
Tools of Hope/Blanket Fund
During February and March, Southwood turns it mission focus to global relief as we have special offerings for Church World Service (CWS). Around the world and here at home, where there is a need for Tools of Hope such as building materials, clothing, workers, training and education, CWS is there providing support and preparing communities to help themselves.
UCC Institutional Support
CUE Seminaries – Chicago, United and Eden Seminaries train UCC leaders/pastors.
Steppingstone, Evangelical Children’s Home, is part of our community. It is a home that helps young adults between the ages of 16 and 21 achieve independence and become productive adults. We budget an annual donation plus look forward every year to participating in their Trivia Night, Antique Fair and Silent Auction as well as meeting individual needs as they arise.
Blue Springs Terrace is a retired pastor’s housing community in Blue Springs we contribute to annually.
Recycle Notes
Southwood recycles as much as possible. We have two large paper bins in the parking lot to collect papers and magazines from church members and members of the community. Also, aluminum cans can be dropped off in the “can” bin which is in the hallway just outside the Fellowship Hall. The money collected from the paper bins goes to our Mission Fund and the aluminum can money is donated to REAP for their food pantry.
Fair Trade Coffee, Tea, Chocolate and Nuts
Southwood has a Fair Trade booth in the Fellowship Hall. We have candy bars and nut products now. All the monies collected for the Fair Trade items go directly to the person that produces the coffee, tea, chocolate or nuts and not to a middle person. In October 2007, Southwood members donated Fair Trade items for two baskets which we gave to Steppingstone for their Silent Auction which is held each fall.
Mission Display Table
Please stop by the Mission Table in the Narthex. You can drop off your Best Choice labels in the basket on the wall and food items in the large baskets. We have a Memory Album where we put all of the wonderful thank you notes and letters of appreciation for our contributions to the various organizations. Also, throughout the year there will be displays about our current mission emphasis.