Membership

Jace and David Athow

Germantown United Methodist Church welcomed Jace and David Athow into membership on Sunday, April 2, at our 11:00 traditional worship service. David joined by transfer of his membership from Hawkins United Methodist Church, Vicksburg Mississippi. Jace joined by Reaffirmation of Faith. They have joined Wesley 2.0 Sunday School Class. Their Welcome Friends are Kelly and Brian Athow (David’s brother).

When asked what about Germantown UMC made them want to become a part of our church community, they replied, “The same people were present in the nursery every week. People dropping off their own children seemed happy and content to not only part with their children, but then invite us to Wesley 2.0 Sunday School Class.”

Chloe Granberry

Germantown United Methodist Church welcomed Chloe Granberry into membership on Sunday, April 2, during the Confirmation worship service at our outdoor worship center in McVay Gardens. Chloe is Director of Youth Ministry at GUMC. She joined by transfer of her membership from Colonial Park United Methodist Church.

Missions

Anne Fritz, Chairperson | clarissafritz@att.net

Hosting Room in the Inn this Summer

The last day of the Winter 2022-2023 schedule for hosting Room in the Inn at the Cottage was March 31. The Room in the Inn Congregate Sheltering Program offered hospitality to 440 individuals, 129 of which were children. But the needs of unsheltered children and vulnerable women does not end on March 31. New families seek shelter from Room in the Inn almost every day.

Room in the Inn is looking for host groups who will continue serving these vulnerable people on a limited basis during the summer months. The Summer Season would only shelter families with children and, when space allows after families are served, single women. In the past, GUMC has hosted one night a month during the summer, and we can do that again this summer.We have selected the second Friday of each month (June 9, July 14, August 11.) We have already received requests from three other RITI host churches to use the Cottage on different days of each month.

We want GUMC groups (Sunday School classes, Circles, Men's Groups, Youth Groups, or others) to host one of the three dates. We also want individuals to be volunteers to assist the host groups.

Please consider helping with this mission on some Friday this summer.

Contact Ron Wiggins (630-862-9149) or Roger Woelke (901-277-5094) to become a volunteer or if you have questions. Thank you!

Missions

Anne Fritz, Chairperson | clarissafritz@att.net

Golden Cross Senior Ministries

A Little History for an Organization with a Big Impact

In the late 1960’s Rev. Jerry Corlew saw a problem with housing conditions for the elderly. He called together a group of concerned United Methodists to explore the needs and envision the possibilities of a housing program. The purpose of this group was to create a ministry to provide quality affordable housing for senior citizens with limited housing options. Rev. Corlew and his supporters found the vision for this venture in Matthew 25:40, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. The program was successful. From its start in 1969, with $1500 and an old dormitory building, it has grown into Wesley Living (previously known as Wesley Housing Corporation of Memphis.) Wesley Living currently serves 33 communities and approximately 2,200 senior residents throughout West TN, Western KY, and Eastern AR.

So where is Golden Cross in all this success? As incomebased housing (supported by HUD-Housing and Urban Development) none of the funds from rent sources at the Wesley Living communities can be used for any extras for the residents. That’s where the Golden Cross foundation comes into play. In 1997 Rev Corlew, and others involved in starting Wesley Living, saw that “just living” wasn’t enough for the senior residents of these communities. Can you imagine a senior living community with no activities? The residents needed something to help enrich their lives and give them a purpose. Golden Cross was established to help enrich the lives of these residents in the Wesley Living system by providing some of those extras. As one of the Wesley Living staff member says, “It’s amazing that when you are having fun you forget about your aches and pains.”

Golden Cross stands in the gap to give residents fun and purpose. GC funds provide field trips for the residents: visits to museums and movie matinees. Social activities, provided by GC funding, include birthday parties, bingo, arts and craft activities, and holiday meals. Golden Cross funds also pay for educational programming, such as exercise classes, lectures, music experiences, and connection to a chaplain.

The average age for the typical resident is 74. Most of these residents live at or below the national poverty line and after paying rent – not much is left over That brings us to the second way that Golden Cross stands in the gap for these Seniors. GC accepts in-kind and monetary donations to provide daily use needed items such as paper products, cleaning supplies, incontinence wear, anything used daily. Some of the daily use items are used as bingo prizes. The idea behind this is that residents are out socializing, winning things that they need, and getting items they need without having to always ask for them.

Missions

Anne Fritz, Chairperson | clarissafritz@att.net

Finally, Golden Cross stands in the gap for those residents that qualify as homeless. These seniors may have been removed from their home due to uninhabitable conditions. Perhaps they live with family, but the family has decided that they can no longer support the senior person. When they qualify as homeless, they usually have nothing. For these residents, Golden Cross will supply a complete Move-In Kit, everything one would need to restart life. This kit includes furniture (purchased from Vaughn Furniture in Memphis) and gives the basics. The kit supplies the following: a twin bed, dresser, sofa, dining table and chairs; plus $325 worth of household items including towels, linens, cookware, plates, utensils, and cleaning supplies. The total cost of a move-in kit is $1,890, a cost borne completely by Golden Cross.

We here at GUMC have close ties to Golden Cross. Rev. Jerry Corlew, one of the founders of Wesley Living and Golden Cross, chose to make GUMC his church home in 1986, when he was appointed full time director of Wesley Ministries. Rev. Corlew remained a member until his death in 2015. His wife, Martha Ann, is still a member of GUMC. In addition, our women’s group, Germantown United Women in Faith, are strong supporters of Golden Cross. Following is a statement about their commitment to Golden Cross, from Gina Bartz, President:

“Enrichingthelivesofseniorcitizensisacherishedmissionof GermantownUnitedWomeninFaith.GoldenCrossisanimpactful ministrythatprovidestheopportunityforourmemberstohelp throughmonetaryassistanceanddonationsofsupplies.Linda Cunningham(lcunningham2112@comcast.net) ourGolden CrossKeyWoman keepsusapprisedoftheorganization’s needs,withCelebrationCircledirectlysupportingtheministry.”

Gina Bartz, President

Germantown United Women in Faith 2022-2023

Golden Cross relies on our monetary and in-kind donations to do this good work. 100% of the funds received and items donated directly support the needs of the 2200 seniors served. Golden Cross is facing an increasing number of Seniors in need. They need our support to continue their work.

Ways to Donate:

• Go to goldencross.org and click on the donate button on the home page.

• Scan the following QR code

• Mail a check to: Golden Cross,1615 Appling Road, Cordova TN, 38016.

• Or call: (901)213-1930 and speak to Laurie Garrison.

Missions

Anne Fritz, Chairperson | clarissafritz@att.net

The Neighborhood Christian Center says, “THANK YOU GUMC!”

Thanks to all who brought food to donate to the Neighborhood Christian Center on Palm Sunday. Those that attend our two traditional worship services (8:30 and 11:00), those who attend our Prism service (11:00), our Sunday School classes (adult, youth, and children), and our friends that attend GUMP (Germantown United Methodist Preschool), gave generously to our Palm Sunday food drive for the Neighborhood Christian Center. Three enormous bins of food were picked up by NCC.

Did you know that the NCC has SEVEN food pantries in the Shelby County area? Four of these food pantries serve apartment complexes where there are NCC offices housed. Here’s the list of their locations (and where our donations were sent):

Scott Street - Binghampton

North Center - Main office near downtown

Orange Mound

Chickasaw Place - Binghampton

Robinhood - Park/Getwell area

Greenbriar - Frayser

Pershing Park – Frayser

The Neighborhood Christian Center says a big “Thank You” to all of us that are connected to GUMC and donated food!

Missions

Anne Fritz, Chairperson | clarissafritz@att.net

Serve with Project Transformation Memphis!

Support young lives in the community this summer.

Read one-on-one with children! Project Transformation is looking for caring volunteers to read with our summer day camp participants. The literacy component of Project Transformation is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to interact with children in a oneto-one setting. Both individuals and groups are welcome! Germantown UMC reading week is June 19, 2023, Tue-Thurs, 9:30am.-12:15pm.

Provide dinner for the college-age young adults from across the country serving in Project Transformation’s summer program. Churches, Sunday school classes, and circles from across the area will provide dinners for them at their housing location. This is a great opportunity to serve and get to know young people who are really making a difference! (June-July, Sunday through Wednesday, 5:40-7:00 pm.) More information is available for those interested.

Provide a Family Fun Night meal! Once a month, we invite the children and families of our programs to a night of fellowship. This themed night (i.e. a luau, hoe down, sock hop, etc.) is always a highlight for our families, interns, and volunteers! We invite church groups to provide the meals and participate in the fun. (Thursday, June 22 and Wednesday, July 26, 5:30-7:00pm.)

Collect new books, healthy snacks, and supplies for our summer program. Project Transformation relies on support from our partner churches to provide supplies. Visit our Amazon wish list for a list of our most needed items: https://a.co/egyO1kD or scan this QR code.

Pray with Project Transformation Tennessee, whether or not you are able to serve directly with us. We invite you to join us in surrounding our children, young adults, families, churches, and volunteers in prayer. Follow our 4-day Prayer Guide to prepare for your service and/or pray for God's transformative power to move this summer.

Project Transformation will be hosted at Centenary UMC again this summer. Contact

Mental Health Tip 22: Express Your Gratitude

Send a thank you note-not for a material item, but to let someone know why you appreciate him or her. Consider keeping a daily gratitude journal, noting two or three things for which you are grateful each day. Written expressions of gratitude are linked to increased happiness.

Check out our Elder Care brochure in the kiosks!

Adult Education

Monday Monthly Book Group

“Summertime, an’ the living’ is easy” and the perfect time to catch up on your reading! Join us on the 4th Monday of each month at 10:00 am in Room 338 for a lively discussion! There is no need to register, just purchase the book or check-out from the library.

July 24: Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan

For questions, please contact Mary Groh.