Changing the World in NE Tarrant County

4/9/2010

 

By Melissia Mason
Communications Director
First United Methodist Church, Grapevine
 
What if on one weekend all around the world, 11 million United Methodists came together to work in their local communities? Methodist churches in Northeast Tarrant County are gearing up to join United Methodists worldwide to “Change the World” on April 24. First Methodist Church in Grapevine, First Methodist Church in Colleyville and White's Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake are encouraging their members to join together to make a difference in our community. Each church is planning to spend the day on Saturday, April 24, doing projects in the community.
Dr. Ken Diehm, senior pastor at First Grapevine, has encouraged his congregation to reach out to those in need right next door. "Our hope is to spend the day helping our neighbors," Diehm says. "We believe this is the type of work to which Jesus calls us."
First Grapevine will hold a "Spring Into Missions" day on April 24. On this day, volunteers will go out into the community to do yard work, repair homes and help their neighbors in a variety of different ways. Anyone is welcome to come out and help. Both youth and adults who have a willing spirit and can pull weeds, trim a hedge or paint, putty or hammer with supervision are welcome! The church is also taking suggestions for projects that need to be done. Volunteer sign-ups and project suggestions may be submitted on the First UMC Grapevine website at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org or by calling 817-481-2559.
First UMC Colleyville has two different service opportunities available. First, the United Methodist Men will be doing a project at Glen Lake Camp as part of their annual men's retreat, which is Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25, in Glen Rose. All men are invited. Second, a team will be going to Northside Inter-Church Agency (NICA) in Fort Worth to work on landscaping and home repairs for NICA clients. This will take place Saturday morning, April 24. For more information on these opportunities, contact Rev. Kaiya Kershaw at 817-281-5254.
Finally, on April 24, White's Chapel will be sending volunteers out to two local agencies: the Battered Women's Foundation in North Richland Hills and the Community Storehouse, a crisis relief agency serving the Keller and Northwest Independent School Districts. For more information or to participate, contact Rev. Marilyn Zemba at mzemba@whiteschapelumc.com or 817-481-4147.
Volunteers from all of these outreach activities will gather together at the end of the day for food and fellowship. The Change the World BBQ for local volunteers will be at 5 p.m. at White's Chapel United Methodist Church (185 South White Chapel Blvd., Southlake).
The global Change the World event was created as part of The United Methodist Church's “Rethink Church” campaign, which seeks to utilize outreach events that embrace the concept of outward-bound church to make a positive difference in the world beyond the church doors. More information about this initiative is available at www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld.
First United Methodist Church of Grapevine is located on two campuses - 422 Church Street and 4344 Heritage Avenue, both in Grapevine. More information is available at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org or by calling the church office at 817-481-2559.
First United Methodist Church of Colleyville is located at 5601 Pleasant Run Road in Colleyville. More information is available at www.fumccolleyville.org or by calling the church office at 817-281-5254.
White's Chapel United Methodist Church is located at 185 South White Chapel Boulevard in Southlake. More information is available at www.whiteschapelumc.com or by calling the church office 817-481-4147.?