During the month of February, the Outreach offering will support the Ridgewood United Community Ministries and Humboldt Park Social Services

Ridgewood United Community Services is an extension of the outreach program of our sister church in Joliet, Trinity, UMC.  Services provided include Spanish-language worship, ESL classes, and a year round food pantry.

Humboldt Park Social Services is a longtime community agency partner of Humboldt Park UMC.  It has been ministering to the homeless since 1989.Its mission is to serve, empower, and advocate for the homeless and disadvantaged by providing housing and supportive services.  Over 100 people a day are served at their service center, Center for Changing Lives.

Support UMC missions and ministries through prayer

• Rev. Karen Vo-To (karenvoto@hotmail.com) and Rev. Ut To (utvanto@yahoo.com),UMC missionaries to Vietnam
• Trinity UMC, Joliet

1. If you pay by check, simply write "[month] Outreach" on the notes line at the bottom of the check. Put your cash or check in the pink envelopes marked “Outreach Offering” in the pews and write your information on the envelope.
2. If you have automatic withdrawal for your church commitment, you can have your monthly Outreach donation added to this process. Click here to sign-up.
3. If you are interested in automatic withdrawal, please contact Walt Read, Financial Secretary, finsec@woodridgeumc.org

November Outreach - Missionary Support, Larry and Jane Kies – Zimbabwe

Larry and Jane Kies are missionaries of the General Board of Global Ministries assigned to Africa University in Zimbabwe. He serves as a technical adviser at the university, assisting in the development of the university’s farm and working to train a new generation of agriculturalists from countries across the continent. She teaches English to students coming from countries where English is not spoken. Larry was born in Jesup, Iowa. Born in Ndola, Zambia, Jane grew up in Southern Africa and England.

Africa University is a United Methodist Church-related project and is being nurtured and funded by church members from all over the world. It is a consequence of the growth of United Methodism on the African continent and has its foundations in the history and legacy of the church. Africa University opened in March 1992 as the first private, international university in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s agricultural struggles began in its drive for independence.  Zimbabwe’s leader, Robert Mugabe, in his fight to free his country from British rule, expelled all of the white farmers from their vast farmlands.  As a result there are very few people now available with the knowledge to work the few farms that survived the purging.  The country that used to be the breadbasket of the region now receives food aid for a significant share of the population.  Part of Africa University’s mission is to train a new generation of agriculturalists from countries across the African continent.

Please place your gifts in the pink Outreach envelope or in a regular Offering envelope and mark it for Outreach.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.