Community of Hope's eNewsletter

There's no place like Hope

May 14, 2008

Playground Installation PHASE II

This Saturday, May 17, 8:30 AM

The fall-zone materials will arrive this week and be ready for us to install Saturday, May 17. We could use an army of volunteers to help -- along with wheelbarrows and shovels. We'll be moving the fill materials...so the more the better...and the quicker it'll be completed. Can you help? Please email Betsy Spencer to get on the volunteer list. WE NEED YOU.

100 of COH's finest attended this past Wednesday's Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Angela and Jason Meyer, Tammy Pikey, Mark Scroggins and a host of others helped make it a great night! During the event, Mark Scroggins shared some interesting facts that are worth repeating.

The estimated dollar value of volunteer time is $20 per hour.
On that basis, the work that the COH Grounds Team provides would cost COH $12,000 to $15,000 annually. This does not include additional services such as planting flowers, tree care, etc.
The work that the COH Clean Team provides would cost COH $15,000 annually.
All of the COH volunteer force provide services in time equal to a cost of at least $250,000 per year.

Mark's concluding words reminded us, "All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own." Well said Mark!

On behalf of all COHers, thank you, vounteers, for the difference you make.

This Sunday

May's Top Secret (Not So Secret) Mission

Attention: Mission Possible Agents
Mission: Collect can goods for the Mansfield Food Pantries When: Sunday, May 18th (3pm - 5pm) Where: Meet at the COH campus - We will be sent on our missions from there! Special Instructions: Bring a wagon, wear your walking shoes, and get ready to make a big difference for God!!! Attention Parent Agent Handlers: I am looking for volunteers to help guide Agents through our local neighborhoods. Please contact Amy Roberts or 817-983-3780.

Community of Hope is partnering with Mansfield Food Pantries to help "Feed the Kids for Summer."

A list of suggested foods are:

Macaroni & Cheese Packets; Soup Cups; Canned Pasta Meals; Single Servings; Tuna Lunch Packets; Snack Crackers; Cereal Bars/Granola Bars; Fruit Cups; Non-Refrigerated Pudding Cups; Dried Fruit Or Trail Mix; Pop-Corn; Powdered Drink Mix; Bottled Water; Juice Boxes. During the summer months, bring any of the items to the campus and deposit them in our lobby grocery cart.

The pictures and news of the past days are hard for me to comprehend. Last week, the cyclonic tidal surge that hit Myanmar left thousands dead in its wake. While the rotting stench of death fills the air, a government refuses to allow aid workers to help bring relief. In the meantime its citizens struggle to survive.

Today the headlines scream of the earthquake in China. The latest count of dead numbers almost 13,000 with 20,000 unaccounted for. Tonight's news showed hordes of people standing in a driving rain anxiously awaiting news of missing family members. Another scene showed a mourning mother draped over her dead child. My heart breaks to see such devastation and human suffering. It's too much for me to wrap my brain around. It's still soaking in.

Let me ask you to pray for the people of Myanmar and China. If you wish to help in a tangible way, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is mobilizing to work with churches in the devastated countries in supplying and distributing aid. Your gift will join with millions of others in making a difference.

31 DAYS AWAY!!!
Vacation Bible School 2008 is just 31 days away! Kids 4 years old - to 5th grade will be "Surfin' Through the Scriptures." The Beach Party begins Sunday, June 15.You can register your child by clicking here, or register on Sunday at the Hope Kids check-in area.

Volunteers are needed to pull off this week of fun. Volunteer forms can be found at the Hope Kids check-in area and in the lobby. Just fill one out and drop it in one of the giving baskets, or better yet, contact Betsy Spencer to find out how you can help.

	Feed the Kids for Summer "Kick Off Event" Family Fun Day Saturday, May 17, 2008, 12 noon - 6pm Katherine Rose Park $5.00 will admit each person to: Bounce Houses; Slide; Velcro Wall; Bungee Run; Party Train...an afternoon of music and fun stuff!! *All proceeds go to Feed the Kids*