What in the World Are We Doing?

Mission Offering

CALL Primrose Center

1443 Howard Ave

Burlingame, CA 94010

650-344-6321 - phone

650-344-0185 - fax

info@burlumc.org

What in the World Are We Doing?

"Mission" means being sent by God into a world which needs us. Jesus set the examples of reaching out when he healed the blind, infirm, and ill; when he showed kindness to those of other races, the poor, and those shunned by society.

The Great Commission given by Jesus to his disciples at Galilee is claimed by the church in every age as our basis for mission:
"...Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..."

We go to a world in need with the Good News about Jesus Christ.

Who is the Missions / Social Outreach Team?

The Missions Area of our congregational life is one of the vital links in this chain of God's mission which extends around the world.

Throughout United Methodism are thousands of persons just like us who have accepted the challenge to inspire and educate their congregations in an awareness of the outreach of our church and to support it enthusiastically with their prayers, their concern, their time, their financial gifts and their service.

The Missions/Social Outreach Team at Burlingame United Methodist Church meets quarterly throughout the year to plan for and check on progress in developing our congregational mission.

How Do We Provide Mission Opportunities For Our Congregation?

As suggested by the United Methodist Church, we try to:

1. Develop a continuous, year-round program of mission education so that the congregation will be better informed, more knowledgeable, and strongly motivated to be supportive of the mission outreach of the church.
2. Identify the needs of our community, country, and world, and engage the congregation in mission opportunities and service projects which seek to address these needs.
3. Engage our congregation in hands-on Mission projects locally and around the world.
4. Enlist and train volunteers for Hands-on Mission projects.
5. Seek to expand the mission and benevolence budget of our local church and ensure that the congregation is provided every opportunity to participate financially in Gods mission through the church.

How Can I Help?

"The world is my parish." —John Wesley

Short-term and one-time hands-on projects include:

The Humanitarian Project: Monthly breakfast served to the homeless and lonely in our social hall on the last Saturday of every month. Cooks and servers (especially those willing to arrive EARLY in the morning!), as well as "support"-type folks who sit, eat and talk with our guests, are needed each month. Coordinator: Loc Nguyen

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Freedom Train: We join with faith communities throughout the Peninsula to make a witness to the legacy of Dr. King by gathering for breakfast at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, then boarding the train to San Francisco and joining the march and rally. A round trip train ticket costs $5. A great activity for families. Help by bringing breakfast items for the breakfast, or join the train!

Blessing Of The Animals: Tentatively scheduled for the last Sunday in September, 2007 in our parking lot, this delightful community event is not only an opportunity to pray for animal companions and lift up the positive role they have in our lives; its also a place to meet, learn about, and appreciate local non-profit organizations such as the Humane Society. Homeless Cat Network, and 4-H Clubs. Volunteers needed for publicity, set up and clean up, and greeting visitors. Coordinator: Liz Thacker-Estrada: thackereli@aol.com

Thanksgiving Meal for the Homeless and Lonely: Every year more than 100 people come to BUMC for Thanksgiving dinner. Some are from homeless shelters; others are transported from convalescent homes; all who would otherwise be alone on the holiday are welcome. Help by cooking a turkey or pie at home and bringing it to the church, or cook, serve, set up or clean up on Thanksgiving Day at the church. Coordinator: Ruth Ann Poulos: ciamesecat@comcast.net

Alternative Christmas Faire: In November 2002 we held our first annual Alternative Christmas Faire, an opportunity to give gifts that make a difference at the holidays. Vendors included SERRV and Bolivian Handicrafts, international non-profit organizations which provide artisans in developing nations a living wage for their handiwork, along with other local and national non-profit organizations. Come and shop, give a gift in honor of a relative to help others, or even come and help at a booth. This year's Faire will be held on the third Saturday in November. Coordinator: Pastor Laurie McHugh.

Holiday AIDS Dinner: We support the efforts of our community to minister to persons with AIDS and HIV and their families by providing food and toys for an annual holiday celebration, usually held on a weekday in December at noon. Help by bringing a hot dish (in non-metal container) or bringing new, unwrapped toys to the church for transport to the site.

Volunteers in Mission: International mission projects, doing construction and educational work. Several VIM trips are planned by our Annual Conference churches every year. BUMC sent a team to Jamaica in 1999, and Senior Pastor David Schlager, along with spouse Rev. Jane Schlager, led a VIM team to Spain in 2003. For more information contact the church office or the California Nevada Annual Conference Website, www.cnumc.org.

BACKPACKPALOOZA: Our summertime outreach to families in need in our surrounding community.  We partner with the CALL Primrose Center, the King Center, and San Mateo Medical Center to identify children who would benefit from the gift of a new backpack and school supplies for the fall.  We collect donations of backpacks and supplies, assemble the works, and conduct a huge giveaway in a festive party atmosphere on a Saturday in August, with free food, face painting, and the music of our fabulous band! In the first two years we gave away over 1,000 backpacks! This year's event will be held in our church parking lot.

Look for more volunteer opportunities in our monthly newsletter, The Messenger.