Missions

ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH

This year we are inviting local Pre-K programs to bring their children to our pumpkin patch for a story time, juice and cookies, a craft and; of course (!), a free pumpkin! The children will hear a bible story and a wonderful tale of how God's grace can turn something rather "icky" into something very terrific! We also have a neat give a way for the older kids who visit and we are intentional about sharing God's grace and love with each of our visitors. Look for our next pumpkin patch in October 2012! Please contact bthimlar@rockledgeumc.com or krousseau@rockledgeumc.com is you can assist with this neighborhood outreach.

SISTER CHURCH IN CUBA

Manuel Garcia returned to his native country with one of the United Methodist caravans in 2001 to visit La Ceiba De Yareyal, the sister church of Rockledge United Methodist in the Holguin-Tunas District of Cuba. Garcia and his wife, Isabel, were married in Cuba in 1957 and have lived in the United States since 1971.

"We received a lot from them in terms of their commitment to Christ and the way they work to expand the gospel of God in Cuba," Garcia said. "They are very active and very committed to the cause of Jesus."

Garcia said he made note of the "tremendous" needs in Cuba. As a result, his church has helped address some of the needs of its sister church, La Ceiba de Yareyal. So far, they've sent money to replace the church's roof and the barrier surrounding its large well.

Garcia praises the commitment to prayer of church members on both sides of the covenant.

"Every Sunday in our church we have been praying for them, and I know they are praying for us," Garcia said.

Rockledge UMC supports La Ceiba de Yareyal through prayer and regular gifts of support and financial blessings. If you are interested in being a part of this effort, contact our Cuba Church coordinator, Jane Reuter, at 321-632-7387.

KING'S KIDS

This is a ministry designed to introduce school age children to God's grace and Jesus' love. We meet each Tuesday afternoon at Andersen Elementary and offer Bible stories and lessons, crafts and music and a generous portion of love and encouragement. You are cordially invited to become a part of a ministry that touches children's lives! Contact Karen Rousseau, krousseau@rockledgeumc.com, for more information.

United Methodist Children's Home

Children's Home ministry is an important part of our church mission. The opportunity to assist with actual life-changing events in young people's lives is fantastic. These young folks have been taken from homes where the care is unhealthy. They have been sometimes abused mentally or physically and need a lot of loving care and counseling. If they can be helped to trust again and to grow into adults who are responsible citizens and able to live decent lives it is a real privilege to be a part of all that.

Our main focus is on giving financially to help provide the house parents a campus and tutoring and counselors to accomplish these goals. For any questions you may have email: office@rockledgeumc.com

Brevard County Sharing Center

The Brevard County Sharing Center provides comprehensive assistance for individuals and families in crisis, i.e. food, clothing, household items, and financial assistance. Every month we receive a list of needs at the shelter and we distribute it to our church family. We then collect these items, take them to the Center, who then distributes those items to needy families throughout Brevard County.

If you, or someone you know are in need of assistance, call 2-1-1 Brevard, @ 211 or if you are on a rotary or cell phone call 632-6688 and they can direct you.

Angel Tree Ministry

(a part of the Prison Fellowship Ministries)

Bringing the love of Christ year-round to prisoners' kids across America

When your parent is in prison, so are you. Your heart is locked behind a wall of loneliness. Your future is bound by shame.

But Jesus came to set the captives free, and through Angel Tree your church can bring the love of Christ year-round to prisoners' kids across America.

In Matthew 18:5 Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Through Angel Tree, you can welcome children into your heart as if you were welcoming Jesus Himself.

Right now in your community there are some children who are among the most at-rist children in the nation. It is so easy to connect with them through Angel Tree. Your church can minister to children of prisoners year-round by participating in one Angel Tree program or all three:


Angel Tree Christmas At Christmastime, volunteers from your church deliver gifts to prisoners' children in their parents' name and share the Gospel. Children feel a parent's love, despite their absence.		Angel Tree Camping In the summertime Angel Tree Camping gives the kids fun and friendship in a Christian camp filled with wide open spaces and overflowing hearts.		Angel Tree Mentoring All year-round Angel Tree Mentoring provides prisoners' kids the role models and caring adults they so need to strengthen their character and deepen their faith.

Would you like to make an investment in these children's lives—not just spiritually, but physically and emotionally for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

By reaching out to the "least of these," you can break the cycle that puts prisoners' children at risk of one day being in prison themselves. You can help young bodies grow stronger. Build confidence. Heal wounds.

You can help set the captives free.

If you are interested in helping out with any of these ministries, contact the church office at 632-7387.