Missions
 HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
The Morristown UMC supports Heifer International as one of its ADVENTure choices. A financial contribution, given to the MUMC and earmarked for Heifer International, is an alternative gift that can be given to a loved one or in honor of or in memory of a loved one. A gift of $10 will buy a flock of chicks, $30 will buy a hive of bees, or $120 will buy a goat or a pig that will provide food and income for a poor family in the United States or around the world.
Heifer International works with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer has helped 8.5 million families in 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance, through livestock, training, and “Passing on the Gift.” By providing animals and training, Heifer enables families to overcome poverty and make lasting improvements in their quality of life.
 MORRIS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide, ecumenical ministry that builds homes for, and in partnership with, low income families. Founded in 1946 by the Fullers, there are now 1,700 local affiliates. In 1987 former President Jimmy Carter invited the Rev. Dr. Jim White, pastor of MUMC to a conference in NYC. Jim came back and organized Morris Habitat. Today Morris Habitat is building eight units each year. In 2007-8 MUMC joined with 17 other parishes and a synagogue to complete a two family home a few blocks from our church. Some find it strange, but the reality is that even though Morris County is the 7th highest income county in America, 30,000 residents of Morris County live at or below the poverty level…and for them to find affordable, safe housing is extremely difficult. Families who get a Habitat built home must be interviewed and approved as worthy, responsible, and able to carry a modest mortgage. Usually several hundred approved families are waiting to be selected for a home…and unfortunately the only way to make the selection is to have a lottery. Selected families must put in “sweat” equity during the building process. This allows volunteers to get to know families on a one-on-one basis…and the joy on their faces when their home is dedicated gives great satisfaction. For the remainder of 2008, and in 2009, MUMC will field a Habitat crew one Saturday each month.
CAPE MAY NATURAL HISTORY WEEKEND
Spend the weekend with our own world-class birder, Rick Radis, at Cape May during the peak season of hawk migration. Cape May is the “Hawk Migration Capitol of North America.” Rick will take us on guided walks for herons, shorebirds, hawks, warblers and other small migrant birds, botany and wildflowers, Monarch butterflies, and other aspects of natural history. Cape May is filled with beautiful Victorian architecture and wonderful restaurants.
SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 17th THROUGH THE 18th.
Visit our Slide Show of this event
 HOMELESS SOLUTIONS, INC.
Homeless Solutions, Inc. (HSI) has been the largest provider of services to the homeless and working poor in the Morris County area since 1983. Our shelter facility currently houses 75 people—families, single women and men, and homeless mentally ill adults—per night. In 2004, HSI opened the Jean Street Apartments, NJ’s first permanent supportive family housing. The Apartments, fifteen units of low-income rentals are all energy efficient. In 2006, HSI moved forward on an additional five low-income housing developments throughout the Morris County area. These sites will add fifty new units of workforce housing by 2009.
 NURSING HOME WORSHIP MINISTRY
Since 1961, due to the efforts of the Open Bible Class, our church along with the Morristown Presbyterian and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church have provided an ecumenical worship service to residents of what was originally the Morristown Rehabilitation Center and is now the Spring Hills at Morristown, an Assisted Living Residence. Beginning in 2000, the Calvary Baptist Church and the United Methodist Church agreed to hold additional worship services at the Morris Hills Center the first two Sundays of the month. Currently we hold services at the Spring Hills at Morristown Assisted Living Residence in the months of January, May, and September which are followed by services at the Morris Hills Center on the first two Sundays in February, June, and October.
 INTERFAITH COUNCIL FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES (ICHF)
The Interfaith network consists of 60 congregations that provide shelter, meals, and overnight supervision for 1 to 2 weeks at each location. MUMC has been involved in this network for more than 15 years. Our church provides shelter, meals, and overnight supervision. At the Interfaith office clients receive a variety of services which include a social worker, county worker, and workforce counseling. The office also helps with car insurance, realtors’ fees, rental assistance, prescriptions, and clothing.
A/V MINISTRY GROUP
The A/V ministry group provides audio and/or video services for church activities. Its main function is putting our Sunday worship services on Morris Cablevision. This involves at least 4 people each Sunday: a camera operator to do the actual recording on DVD; an audio engineer to operate the sound console, a logger to record, via computer, the length of each segment of the worship service, and a second camera operator to record reverse-angle shots used in editing. The DVD is then hand-carried to PHOKUS, a professional editor in Madison, where it is tailored to fit the 58-minute time slot allocated by Cablevision. On Monday the edited DVD is hand-carried to the Cablevision studio in Randolph for airing the following Sunday afternoon.
MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS
DATES: JANUARY 24—31, 2009
This year our church will again be teaming up with the Clinton UMC to travel to the LAMB Institute in Honduras to continue building residence-schools for approximately 100 Pre-K to 6th grade children. We will also be working to develop a working farm on LAMB’s property to grow vegetables to help feed the children and staff. You do not have to have previous construction or farming experience and all are welcome to join our team.
COST: $1,000 INCLUDES TRAVEL AND LIVING EXPENSES FOR THE WEEK
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE MINISTRY
Our church believes our youth are the future of the church. Our College Care Ministry, which sends care packages and greetings to our college students, is a wonderful ministry maintaining contact with our college students by letting them know that our church loves and cares for them. Four times a year we mail care packages and cards of encouragement from our church members. All are invited to participate in this ministry.
SOUTH AFRICA MINISTRY
Our preschool Sunday School class has been in mission with preschool children in South Africa since 1999. We support the Phakamisa Educare and Granny Projects. Phakamisa educates and cares for young children in the poorest townships and squatters camps in and around Pinetown South Africa through their "Wandering Teacher" program. The Granny project supports women who take in and care for AIDS orphans. Our annual candle sale during Advent, which has become a tradition here at the MUMC, provides desperately needed financial support.
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