Kids and youth at Piedmont UMC finished a mat to donate to people who don’t have a place to sleep. They learned lessons on giving, working hard, and - bonus - weaving.
BOTTOM LEFT: In the winter months St. Paul’s UMC in Tulsa places hats and scarves - and sometimes gloves! - on its playground fence for anyone to take if they have need of some extra warmth.
Grace UMC's Grillin' in Grace food truck and pantry.
Grace UMC in Claremore introduced its food truck called “Grilling with Grace.” Thanks to a Woodworth grant from the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation the vision of bringing church to the people has become a reality. Volunteers served burgers and hot dogs to hungry people as they came to watch RSU Hillcats basketball. Worship music played and Pastor Tim prayed with several people for various life struggles. Eventually Grilling with Grace will visit communities like hotels and trailer parks to prepare and serve food to hungry people and then provide a devotional or short message as everyone gathers around to fellowship together.
Thanks to the Petree grant, also provided through The OMF, the food truck will also serve as a mobile food pantry called “Giving with Grace,” beginning in March. A few test runs are scheduled at Inola FUMC on March 3 and 23 to work out any logistical kinks before it goes into service. The vision is to allow community members to walk in one door to select groceries and walk out the other door. As they select their items, volunteers will begin forming relationships with them and invite them to church or find out why they stopped going, pray with them and love them with dignity and respect. The Food truck/mobile pantry will allow Grace UMC to carry on and reignite the longtime Wesleyan tradition of field preaching. Submitted photos.
