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| Each Sunday we sing, "praise God from whom all blessings flow" as a way of acknowledging that all that we have is a gift from God, which inspires us to give generously to the work of God's kingdom on earth. To date, Benson Memorial UMC has given hundreds of thousands of dollars towards Outreach Ministries. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. |
Hurricane & Flood Relief Project |
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| Decide to make a difference. Thousands have been devastated by hurricanes and flooding. For many of these people, simple tools of hope arrive in 5-gallon buckets and ziplock bags. Your small contribution of helpful items will go a long way toward rebuilding efforts. |
| Collecting needed supplies. Below, you will find a link to a list of the most needed supplies. These simple items will make a big difference! |
| Give what you can. Let someone from Benson Memorial UMC pick up your donations, or if you'd like to help out with the relief effort and be a part of the celebration, you can visit us for special "Live the Light" services Oct. 5-7 at 7PM, or Sunday mornings between Oct. 5 and Nov. 9 at the 8:45 or 11AM services. Childcare is provided! Click HERE to send an e-mail to our staff if you're interested in helping out or if you have any questions. You may also call the church office at 919-787-0789. |
| Items Needed |
| Directions to Benson Memorial |
| Visit UMCOR website |
| GLOBAL MISSIONS(2007) | |||||||||
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Jamaica Jamaica is Jammin’, Mon! (English Translation: Jamaica is a great place to be a part of what God is doing, my friend!) The Jamaica mission team traveled to the north coast of the beautiful island last June, full of exciting stories of God’s love in action. They presented the results of their trip to various groups within the congregation. If you missed it, here is a short summary: The team’s primary mission was to connect Benson Memorial UMC with Methodist churches and Christian mission projects on the island, and the effort was a big success. The big projects included the exterior repainting of Wesley Methodist Church in Lethe, Hanover district, and an after-school VBS at the all ages school there. Along the way, the team worshiped at the Methodist church in Hopewell, visited children in the Montego Bay SOS Children’s Village, dropped off much needed donations at the Blossom Gardens Infant and Toddler’s Orphanage, led devotions at Mt. Ward and Copse All Ages public Schools, and even found time to have some fun at Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios The gospel was proclaimed, relationships were formed and strengthened, local wisdom was shared, and the beauty of God’s creation abounded. Many thanks to the team and to all who supported us with your gifts and your prayers, and many thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for uniting us as one in ministry to each other! View photos of the Jamaica Mission Team Read Journal Entries of the Jamaica Team |
| ABOUT THE MINISTRY MISSIONS |
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| WIHN Benson Memorial United Methodist Church supports the activities of Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network as they assist families in temporary disadvantaged situations by providing housing, meals, and transportation if required to enable the families to get back on their feet from unfortunate setbacks such as the loss of their job or housing. Families are screened and admitted into the program by the staff of Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network at their day Center, located on Method Road in Raleigh, NC. Benson Memorial United Methodist Church provides four weeks of housing support each calendar year. We also provide financial support to the operating budget of WIHN to helpcover the cost of staff salaries, annual operating expenses such as electricity and office equipment. We provide housing for up to five families with up to 16 total family members during each of the four assigned weeks during the calendar year. We host WIHN families one week during each quarter. CONTACT: John and Diane Rees(787-5510) or Carla Bernstein(788-8438) |
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The Good Neighbor Ministry This ministry reclaims the spirit of a time when neighbors worked together to survive. Since the ice storm in December 2002 the Good Neighbors Ministry has responded to twenty one requests for help and logged 2344 hours of volunteer’s time. Based on the parable of the Good Samaritan, the ministry provides a way for brothers and sisters at Benson to demonstrate love and compassion to those in need as a result of disaster, accident, or personal misfortune. This ministry provides a framework for organization and preparedness. Requests for help are received through the pastor, membership care committee, outreach committee, or the church office. Each request is reviewed by the steering committee for appropriateness and feasibility. The Good Neighbor data base, which is a listing of member’s skills and interests, is searched for persons having the skills to respond to the immediate need for help. A phone tree is used to call members to action by providing basic information about the crisis and determine if the member is available and willing to volunteer. In addition to providing rest, comfort, and relief to those who are hurting, this ministry allows Benson Memorial to be recognized as a caring and involved church in our community. Some of those whom we help may see God working through our action and choose to know him better. The Good Neighbor Ministry provides for each of us:
Is it worth the effort to become involved? Read Matthew 25:40. We are reminded that whatever you do for the least of your brothers and sisters, you do for Christ. If you'd like more information on the Good Neighbor Ministry, contact the Coordinator, Jack Robinson at 9l9-78l-5251. |
| Information on Disaster Preparedness In the event of an emergency or major disaster, the Benson Memorial Good Neighbor Ministry is prepared to provide assistance and coordinate with other faith based organizations and the Wake County Emergency Management. However, whether at work or home, there are measures which you can take in advance to increase your preparedness. If you would like to volunteer for the Good Neighbor Ministry, please click on the link, "The Good Neighbor Neighbor Ministry Survey" (posted above), or contact Jack Robinson at 919-78l-5251. The following links will take you to websites that provide more information on preparing for disasters: Ready North Carolina American Red Cross - Disaster Preparedness Info FEMA Emergency Planning |
| Urban Ministry Center As a congregation who sponsors the Urban Ministry Center, we make a covenant with the people of Raleigh who lack basic necessities of life to respond to their needs with tangible help. We are also committed to offer services that enable those who are disadvantaged to provide for themselves, when possible. It is also a responsibility of the Urban Ministry Center to present the problems of poverty to the community. Some of the ministries offered by the Urban Ministry Center of Raleigh include: The Open Door Clinic: Free of charge clinic operated by volunteer health professionals to low-income persons within Wake County (832-0820). The Crisis Intervention Center: Helps individuals in crisis with financial help, counseling, food distribution, employment services, and referral services (834-4707). The Ark Shelter: Emergency shelter for men and women every night of the year. include literacy programs, AA meetings, (833-1478). Benson Memorial does the 5th Sunday meal for the shelter. |
| Food Bank We are supportive of the Food Bank when the occasion arises such as the Winn-Dixie Food Bank day at the Fair which started October 1993. We recruit members of our church to collect and load canned goods on the day that people can get free tickets to the fair by bringing canned goods. Others do some volunteer work with them during the year. CONTACT: Robert Payne (488-0310). |
| The Women's Prison Ministry Benson Memorial, in conjunction with Cokesbury UMC, visits the Women's Correctional Facility in Raleigh four times per year. The ministry primarily deals with the pregnant women of the prison. The visit susually include devotions, a time of singing, and special help groups to deal with topics such as parenting and budgeting of finances. Visits usually conclude with a time of fellowship. Special programs are held during June and Christmas. CONTACT: Billie Carson (870-8729). |
| The 1 Can Challenge When we consider the alarming statistics regarding world hunger it is easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to respond in a meaningful way.Right here in North Raleigh there are people who do not have enough to eat. What can we, as a local congregation, do to help? Will you consider adding a little something to your offering each Sunday? The youth would like to challenge you to bring one can of food each week to be donated to the North Hills Crisis Center. When you do your grocery shopping, why not pick up something extra for the less fortunate? Just one can of food per week will make a significant difference, especially if the entire congregation participates. |
| North HillsCrisis Center Established to meet the needs of families and individuals with emergency situations who live in the North Hills community. Services include providing Christian encouragement, food and emergency financial aid. CONTACT: North Hills Crisis Center |