Tag Archive for Missions

Heifer Farm Visit

November 12, 2015 Activtiy, Education, Missions, Travel, Youth Comments Off on Heifer Farm Visit

Saturday October 3rd turned out to be a cold and drizzly day but a hardy group bundled up and grabbed their umbrellas and headed off to Rutland to visit the Heifer Farm to attend the Global Harvest Festival.  We spent the morning learning more about Heifer International and the way that they help impoverished families.  In their Global village we saw how people from other countries live.

 

Heifer digging potatoes

Justin and Ethan digging potatoes in the rain

Allison, Paige and Lauren making prayer flags

Allison, Paige and Lauren making prayer flags

 

We met llamas and alpacas, goats and rabbits, cows and sheep and yaks!  The children were able to participate in various hands on activities at each country’s site to help them learn about the culture.

Hannah and Ethan help with the apple press

Hannah and Ethan help with the apple press

We were then able to see and help make apple cider with a hand crank press!  For some of us the best part was the delicious warm cider that they had for us to sample; it was a real treat since we were pretty cold by then!

We ate our bag lunches in the community room of the barn and then finished up our visit watching a team of bareback riders who were giving a demonstration and of course a visit to the gift shop.

Abbie and Emily hamming it up!

Abbie and Emily hamming it up!

We are hoping to head back to the farm for another visit in the late winter when they have a pancake breakfast (or lunch).  We will be able to see the maple syrup being made and hopefully there will be lots of newborn sheep and goats.

The gang

The gang

Some updates for the month ahead – April

March 26, 2013 Committees, Worship Comments Off on Some updates for the month ahead – April

Education Opportunity – Basic Lay Servant Ministry Course

A new Basic Lay Servant Ministry Course will be held here at HUMC on Saturday, April 13 and April 27 from 9:00-3:00. Last year nine of our members participated in this study. It provides laity with a learning opportunity to help them through thoughtful reflection in the areas of leading, caring, communicating and spreading the
love of Christ into the world. The course leaders are Pastor Aida and George. You can pick up a registration form from George or from the Connectional Bulletin Board in the Fellowship Hall. Our church will pay the registration fee. So sign up NOW.

Our Annual Plant and Crafters’ Sale will be Sat., May 11, 9am-3pm (Mothers’ Day Weekend)

The annual plant sale is in the works–we’ll have both annual (flowers and veggies) and perennial plants. We also hope to have some shrubs/trees this year! (We’ll publish a list later but plants and crafts make excellent Mothers’ Day gifts!)

Prayer Quilting Bee

There will be an old fashion Quilting Bee on Monday, April 22, 9:30AM to 2:00PM. Looking for volunteers to help make some prayer quilts…Please contact Debby Whidden at the church office to sign up.

Missionary Dr. Belinda Forbes is coming to Hope

This month we will be honored to welcome Belinda Forbes, the GBGM missionary we
support through the Advance. Belinda is a dentist originally from Western MA, now serving in
Managua Nicaragua. Belinda is currently in the states visiting her supporting churches. Please
mark your calendar to come to the church on April 24, 2013 for a pot luck supper at 6:00 PM
and hear the latest news from Belinda’s ministry. Check out more info on Dr. Forbes here.

 Update on the Community Preservation Grant

The Belchertown Community Preservation Committee (CPC) liked the presentation made by Steve Lanphear and Duane Stinchfield. Consistent with the modified plan agreed to by Hope members last Sunday, the CPC voted to recommend a $75,000 grant to fund a new ADA elevator to replace the existing elevette and also to construct a unisex accessible bathroom. Now, we will need your voice of support by an affirmative vote at the Town Meeting on May 13th. Please plan to be there and bring a friend or two.