Brecksville United Methodist Church

When we join the United Methodist Church, we vow to support it with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.  But sometimes, our good intentions get lost in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life.  As a church, how are we doing with our promises?  Can you help fill in the blanks?  Here are some ways that you could be of service to others:  serve as an usher, become a church closer, teach or assist with a Sunday School Class or volunteer for the mowing team.  Contact the church office to volunteer! 440-526-8938 or office@brecksvilleumc.com

UMW continues to collect Box Tops for Education!  Clip and save the symbol from participating products and bring them to the bin in the first floor coat room.  These labels are sent to Henderson Settlement Mission in Frakes, KY and the proceeds are used to support their work.

Brookside Food Center disperses meals to local families in need. The success of their program depends on the kindness and generosity of people like you!

On the third Friday of each month, our United Methodist Women deliver our donations to Brookside.  Please help us fill the bin in the coat room with food like:

Canned fruits
Canned vegetables
Apple sauce
Dried Fruit
Grains
Peanut Butter
Bisquick
Pasta and pasta sauce
Canned soups
Tuna and other canned fish
Other healthy non-perishable foods!

Paper products, such as napkins and paper towels, are also greatly appreciated. 

Your contributions make a world of difference to families in need.

Spring cleaning? Don’t send your unwanted items to the dump! These organizations all offer FREE PICK UP! 

AMVETS 
866-388-0046
Clothing, household, toys,
books, etc.

City Mission (donatestuff.com)
216-662-4483
Clothing, household items

Cleveland Furniture Bank
216-459-2265 x 101
Furniture, household items

Gathering Place Warehouse
216-595-9546 (will pack up, too)
Furniture, household, antiques, china, crystal, silverware, art, rugs, lamps, mirrors, costume jewelry

Habitat for Humanity
216-429-3631
Furniture, appliances, building materials, household.

Salvation Army, 800-728-7825
Furniture, clothing, household

Have an old bike you've outgrown or no longer use? 
Donate it to Brecksville UMC's Bike Ministry!

"The education and spiritual formation of children, youth and adults is why the church exists. We're here to make and mature disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world." said Gary Jones, Director Spiritual Formation, East Ohio Conference United Methodist Church. "If we're not teaching, if we're not keeping those people we're charged to teach safe, there's really not a reason for us to be here."

At Brecksville UMC, we conduct background checks on all volunteers who work with children. Parents want to know that their children are safe in the care of others. Background checks protect children, protect volunteers, and protect the assets of the church!

Read our church's child protection policy    here.
   

If you are interested in working with children, please contact Jenny Gee, Director of Christian Education, to learn more about background checks.

Sometimes it’s hard to get to church.  Maybe your car’s in the shop, you’re not comfortable driving, or you just don’t want to go to church alone.  Sign up for BUMC Rideshare! If you need a ride or can give a ride sign up in the lobby!

Drivers, we have some super cool car magnets to help identify you as a person who's offering rides.  Pick one up in the office!

Leslie Miller says "It's the easiest way to serve. And it makes a real difference right away!"

On Saturday mornings, we take unneeded food from a local restaurant and deliver it to local food pantries to feed those who are hungry.  Want to help? 

We try to have about 8 teams taking turns on Saturday mornings picking up day old Panera goodies from the Panera at the Broadview Heights and Brecksville rest areas on the turnpike.  (You do not need to go on the turnpike to access the rest areas.) Pick-up is between 7:30 am – 9:30 am or so. 

Currently, we have been getting 8-10 garbage bags/boxes of leftovers that we take to area agencies such as Parma Heights Food Pantry, St. Augustine’s Kitchen, Guidestone, or another agency of your choice who can accept the donation on a Saturday. 

It’s a great activity for an individual, a team of two or a family.  Generally, 2-3 months are opened-up at a time for scheduling and you pick the Saturday or Saturdays that work for you – no set rotation. 

Sound like a great way to help a lot of folks?  Please contact Mary Kotnik (330) 256-3262 or send an email for more information or to join the Bread Ministry!

- Submitted by Mary Kotnik, Missions & Outreach Committee

2020 was an amazing year. Our church family was able to reach out and help others in so many ways.  Here are some of them:

Food Pantry Support—Monetary, Non-Perishables and Volunteers

Rise Against Hunger—Packaging meals for the developing world

Salvation Army Bell Ringing—Raising funds for neighbors in need

Backpack and School Supply Drive—250 Backpacks and well over $1500 in School supplies delivered to Corner 65 of Nehemiah Mission, Parma Heights Food Pantry and The Emergency Assistance Center
Nordonia Hills Meals and Wheels—Drivers delivering meals to seniors

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity—$5K to help fund a home, and hands to help build it.

Thanksgiving Offering—$2,400 for UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery

Drive In Nativity Pageant—Financial support for this special outreach ministry.

Christmas Offering—$2,606 for Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the Teach*Reach*Bless Initiative for Africa University.

Hat & Mitten Tree— 30 pairs of socks, 170 face masks, 76 scarves, 80 hats, 77 mittens/gloves, 91 hat & mitten sets for Centers for Families & Children (formerly WESEM), LGBTQ Connection of Cleveland and LeBron James Foundation (Akron City Schools).  Each place received 2 trash bags full of items!

Housing Assistance—With extra money we had, we saved 4 families from eviction at the end of 2020 through a donation to The Nazareth Housing Development Corporation. 

Do you have ideas where we can make a difference in the year ahead?  Please forward to Pastor Heidi or Mary Kotnik.  What’s planned in the near future?   Reach the March issue of our newsletter to learn more!