Almsgiving Opportunities

Along with Fasting and Prayer, Almsgiving is one of the three pillars of Lent, which started with Ash Wednesday—February 18th this year.

Almsgiving is the practice of giving to those in need, whether through donations or acts of service. During this season of Lent, be open to the ways in which God may be calling you to help others and to be a presence of love and compassion in the world. Here are some opportunities to donate or serve with Monaca UMC this Lent:

Support Your Local Food Pantry

Monaca UMC is conducting a Spring Food Drive to help replenish the food supply available for our monthly distributions. This is an important ministry to the community, helping dozens of local families each month. Please consider donating nonperishable food items or monetary gifts. Any support would be greatly appreciated! Items of most urgent need are:

• Jello
• Pudding
• Cereal
• Dry or canned pasta/noodles
• Pasta sauce
• Canned fruit
• Sides
• Applesauce
• Cake mixes
• Crackers
• Potatoes (boxed or canned)
• Tuna
• Canned meats
• Baked beans
• Gravy
• Individually Wrapped Snacks

If you have any questions, please see our Food Pantry page or contact us. Thank you in advance for your support of this ministry!

Sponsor Clayton’s Army

Spring is coming, and Clayton’s Army is on the march again!

Monaca UMC’s dear friends Dave and Nancy Wilson are participating in the Pittsburgh Region Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s annual Great Strides 5K walk on Saturday, May 16th in support of their nephew, Clayton Himmler. Clayton is 8½ years old and dealing with cystic fibrosis—a rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe. If you are willing to sponsor Dave and Nancy with a monetary donation, talk with them at church one Sunday or mail a donation to their home address (or in care of MUMC if you do not have a church directory). Checks should be made payable to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with “Clayton’s Army” in the memo. Online donations can be made here.

Help Stuff and/or Place Easter Eggs

Aliquippa First and Monaca UMCs are once again holding a joint Easter egg hunt for children up through the 6th grade level! The event is planned for 10am on Saturday, April 4th at Aliquippa First. Volunteers are needed at 8:30am that day to put out the eggs. Also needed are bags of individually-wrapped candies and small non-food Easter egg stuffers. An egg-stuffing party will be held on Wednesday, March 25th at 6pm in room A-9 of Aliquippa First. Please contact us with any questions.

Volunteer for VBS

With the blessing of more kids attending Vacation Bible School each year comes the need for more adult volunteers! There are plenty of ways you can put your gifts and talents to good use before and during VBS week (June 15-19). Email Jennifer at kids@monacachurch.org to learn more, or attend a VBS planning meeting the 1st Sunday of the month immediately following worship (at approx. Noon).