OutreachMinistries

The Epworth Center is pleased to keep you updated on its endeavors for new Outreach Ministries! The following are some of our ideas, plans, and things we have been working on during the past year.

Parish Nurse Ministry: The Epworth Center would like to work with pastors and laity to establish parish nurse programs in local churches and communities. The first parish nurse program was started in the Neffs community and has been a success. God is good!

Medical Ministry: Another area aside from parish nurse ministry is the Epworth Center's medical ministry outreach. In the past we have held health fairs, health screenings, and CPR / AED training. In the fall we are going to have another health fair and flu shots with the help of Ohio Hills in Barnesville.

Hunger Outreach Ministry: The Epworth Center is beginning a hunger outreach for former SOWER clients and local communities. Baskets are passed out for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and at the end of each SOWER work week. We have also began Easter dinners and basket deliveries.

Prison Ministry: The Epworth Center has been developing its prison ministry outreach program over the past few years. We have dinners for inmates and staff at Christmas, and this year at Easter.

Make a Donation

For more information about these ministries or if you would like to get involved, please contact the Epworth Center. By viewing photographs and information under "Newsworthy" below, or by viewing our "Archived Articles" page you can learn more about outreach events the Epworth Center has had in the past. You can also visit our Mission Opportunities page for more ideas on how you can make a difference!

Epworth Center's ministries really do make a difference!

Many lives have been touched through the Epworth Center's SOWER Work Mission and outreach ministries. At the time of year where donation requests increase, it's important to take a moment to praise God for the good that has been accomplished! The Epworth Center's hunger ministry has been fruitful and helped a number of people.

One story in particular is that of Shirley and her family. We delivered a basket of food to them at Thanksgiving. They were SOWER clients in the past, and we try to help SOWER clients in tangible ways. When we were visiting with Shirley and her family, her eyes filled with tears as she brought out her Bible. She began telling us that earlier that morning she wrote a shopping list of things she would like to have to be able to prepare a nice Thanksgiving meal. Shirley said she knew they couldn't afford these items, so she put the list in her Bible and prayed. She prayed, knowing God would provide; that they would be okay. A few hours later... we showed up with a box of food - most of which was on her shopping list.

God has blessed the ministries of the Epworth Center. We encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can get involved and make a difference!

Prayer Cloth Ministry

Outreach ministries at Epworth Center come in many different forms, and sometimes even a little unexpectedly. One of our newest endeavors is a prayer cloth ministry. We began handing out prayer cloths as a promotional tool for the SOWER Work Mission and Epworth Center. God had other plans! Recently we received the following email:

Hello, My name is SPC Jennifer. I am a member of Otterbein United
Methodist Church in East Ohio Conference. I recently received a Prayer
Cloth that my father found while at Annual Conference. I am currently
serving in the United States Army in Baghdad, Iraq. When I saw this cloth I
thought it was a great idea, especially for Outreach of Soldiers that may be
seeking a church upon our return to Fort Hood, Texas in January. I carry my
cloth in my pocket every day and find myself rubbing it between my fingers
like a new found child's blankie. It is a comfort because it continues to
remind me that God is always with me and many friends and family are at home
praying for my safe return. I am hoping that maybe you could help me pass
this comfort to other Soldiers here in Iraq. I would also like to thank you
for coming up with such a great idea that is my constant comfort.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the hands that carefully and lovingly made
every prayer cloth that has made a new home. Thank you for every Christian
soul that cares enough to take a few minutes out of their day to do
something for someone else. May this great and beautiful deed be spread to
others. Amen.

God Bless, SPC Jennifer

"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what
you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will
experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can
understand." Phil 4:6-7

What a ministry this has turned out to be... and you are invited to take part! Can you knit or crochet? Why not make prayer cloths for your own church, community, or to send overseas? Here is the basic pattern we use...

POCKET PRAYER CLOTH
Ending width and length: 3 x 5 inches.
Single Crochet Pattern: Hook Size I. Chain 9.
(width before edging should be 2 1/2 inches)
Rows: 14 (length before edging) should be 4 1/2 inches)
After length is reached then single crochet or reverse single crochet around all 4 edges.

Saying We Use

This is your own personal Prayer Cloth,

Carry it with you wherever you go.

Anytime you feel down or have a concern,

Place it in your Prayer Cloth - just so.

At night lay your Prayer Cloth by the bed for God to take,
and it will be fresh and ready to use again when you wake.

Made with love by _____________.

Easter Community Luncheon

Over 60 persons came to our Easter luncheon. We had a great time, and even the Easter bunny made an appearance!

We also were blessed to once again host luncheons for both the inmates and the girls from the local group homes. The girls came and served at our community luncheon as well. The following are from handwritten thank-you notes we received from the group home (we encourage you to read these... they certainly uplifted our spirits!):

Thank you for the time you took out of your busy schedules to do things for us. I also want to thank you for the nice things you gave us along with the makeover... I hope we can do it again, not just the day for us, but also helping serve people. Thanks again for everything.
I wanted to thank you for a wonderful afternoon and having us over and setting up a nice day for us. I also wanted to thank you for the nice gifts. I love mine. I also wanted to say the lunch was very good. You put a lot of time and generosity into our visit and it was very nice and we thank you. I had fun. I hope that we can do it again sometime.
Thank you so much for the wonderful lunch. The food was delicious. Also, thank you for the gifts and taking the time to give us makeovers. It is very much appreciated. It is really hard spending Easter away from my family, but you all made this Easter one I will always remember. I will never forget your generosity. You all are engraved in my heart forever. Thank you again for making this one of the best Easters ever.
I would like to take a few minutes to say thank you so much for all the time and effort you all put into things we did. I really love the perfume. I use it all the time. I also enjoyed the food, it was really good. I had lots of fun coloring eggs and with the makeover. We all looked so pretty. I want to thank you again for everything you did for us.
I would like to take a couple minutes to tell you how much I appreciate the soaps and stuff you guys have given us. It meant a lot. I loved everything. It really made a difference. I feel at home. I appreciate the great meal you guys prepared for us. It was really great.

In preparation for our Easter events we've had the following painted in the lodge (Thanks to Wendy, Stephene, Carla and Kari for their work!!):

Health Fair & Walk - July 10, 2010