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Mission Opportunities
The word “mission” often implies traveling to another country to teach and work. The work done in foreign
missions is important, of course, but we can’t all make the trip. What we can do, however, is be faithful
servants where we live. Mission is about putting the face and name of Jesus in front of those who don’t know
him. We can do that in many ways — any place and any day. At Avondale, we strive "to love and serve God
and others, through worship, learning, fellowship and outreach." You are invited to join us in mission by
participating in ministry to our community. Opportunities for service include the following.
 S.T.A.I.R
Start the Adventure In Reading
Tutors for the 2010-11 School Year needed.
Tutor training will be
Sunday, September 26th
3:00 - 5:00 pm Cayley Conference Room - Avondale UMC
Start the Adventure In Reading (STAIR) is a program designed to improve the reading skills and self-esteen of 2nd graders. STAIR was founded in New Orleans in 1985. Independent Presbyterian Church began it own STAIR site in 2000. Since that time IPC's Birmingham STAIR program has grown with sites across the city including our STAIR program at Avondale UMC.
Research shows that the optimum time for a child to master reading skills is during the second grade. Students who do not read at grade level by 3rd grade are most likely to fall behind academically, beginning a negative cycle that follows them throughout school. It has been said that in Kindergarten through 2nd grade, children "learn to read" and in grades 3 through 12, children "read to learn."
We are now seeking volunteer tutors to serve 2nd graders recommended by their teachers at Avondale Grammar School. The students will be transported by bus to the church at 3:00 pm each Monday and Wednesday afternoon from October through April. The bus returns the children to the school at 4:45 pm. When the children arrive at the church they are warmly greeted by the STAIR tutors and are given a healthy, nutritious snack. There is time for socializing, fun, and laughter followed by one-on-one tutoring. Students work with the same two tutors each week. Tutors are volunteers who come once a week because they care about the future of these children and know that educaton is key. Some have a background in teaching but most do not. They are of all ages and walks of life ... high school students, businessmen, housewives, retirees, doctors, lawyers. They are trained to use a professionally designed program that enhances the curriculum of the public school. All learning materials and supplies are provided and the children participate at no charge to their families. The tutors work closely with the children at an individual pace that accomodates the needs of the child. They read together, play word games, practice phonics, and work on increasing reading comprehension.
If you can help, please contact Alison Jenkins, Director of STAIR. avonumcpdo@aol.com or call the church office for information.
Make a difference in the life of a child!
For more information go to:
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Meals on Wheels is facing daunting financial challenges due to the City of Birmingham's decision to change the tax structure for non-profit organizations. The additional change setting the cost of non-profit organizations business licenses at the same rate as for-profit businesses may force many non-profit organizations to close and/or relocate at a time when they are needed most. Click the link to read how these changes will inpact the Meals on Wheels organzation in Jefferson County.
MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERY
Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals to home-bound elderly throughout the Jefferson County area. Meals on Wheels was implemented in December 1976 in Jefferson County. Beginning with a delivery of 5 meals, the program grew very quickly. Today, many routes throughout Jefferson County, staffed by over 1300 volunteers, provide meals daily to homebound elderly people. To qualify to receive Meals on Wheels, the person must be 60 years of age, or older, homebound, and unable to prepare a nutritious meal for themselves. A typical recipient is a single or widowed woman in her 80's who lives alone and has an income bordering on poverty level. She may have an illness that limits her ability to prepare nourishing meals. Receiving a hot meal allows clients to remain independent in their own homes, eliminating or postponing the need for long-term nursing care.
Volunteers provide a vital check on the client's safety and well-being, many times being the only person the client sees during the day. They provide a warm smile, a listening ear and the comfort of knowing someone cares. Volunteers pick up meals at a location near their route and deliver them between 11:00am and 1:00 pm Monday through Friday. A volunteer may choose to deliver as often as they like... once or twice per month or per week. Each route takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to complete.
For more information or to volunteer, contact:
Elma Moore - Volunteer Coordinator -
205-592-0413 ext. 4
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5th Fridays at the
Church of the Reconciler
Can you join us on October 29th?
We, at Avondale UMC, are committed to feeding the homeless at the Church of the Reconciler each 5th Friday during 2010. You can help by providing food and/or helping to serve. The food should be delivered to the church during the preceding week. Volunteers who will prepare and serve the meal, meet at Avondale UMC, 8:15am, to prepare the food, travel to the Church of the Reconciler, serve the meal, and return to Avondale UMC. The whole process usually takes about 2 hours. Volunteers are needed to serve the meal and to provide the food. You can volunteer by E-mail, by signing the list on the church bulletin board, or contacting Tim Smith.
Hot dog weiners
Hot dog buns
Pork & Beans
Individual serving bags of chips
Dessert
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East Lake Market Basket
 Plan to join us on August 28 th as we prepare and deliver market baskets to the elderly homebound in the East Lake area.
Everyone is invited .... children through age 99 ... to come to the parking lot behind East Lake United Methodist Church
(7753 1st Avenue South, 35206) at 8:00 am to pack fresh vegtables and other items in market baskets and deliver the baskets to the elderly and homebound living in the East Lake area.
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WOODLAWN CHRISTIAN MISSION
 Avondale UMC, along with several other area churches, has supported the Woodlawn Christian Center financially since 1991. The Center is located in an out-building behind Woodlawn United Methodist Church which provides water, gas, and electricity at no cost to the Center. Services of the Center are concentrated solely in the distribution of food to eligible persons who live in zip codes 35212 and 35222. Clients may receive a distribution once every two months and the amount issued is based on the number of people in the household and the quantity of food products in the Center's "pantry." Proof of residency and documentation of dependents must be provided.
Since all financial contributions go exclusively for the purchase of food, no household cleaning, personal hygiene, baby /adult diapers, paper products, nor other non-food items are purchased. All of the participating churches (and other organizations) collect non-food items for distribution.The first Sunday of each month is designated as "Mission Sunday" at Avondale UMC. Money left at the communion rail is used to meet our monthly pledge. Church members and friends are encouraged to bring non-food items. Items placed in boxes located around the church are delivered to the Mission by Bill Copeland, a long-time volunteer at the Center.
Blessings of Bread
We have added a new dimension to our support of the Woodlawn Christian Center. Thanks to the generosity of Panera Bread in Vestavia, we are able to provide bread each week to those who are served by the Center. Church members pick up unsold bread products from Panera Bread in Vestavia each Saturday night. The bread is brought to the church on Sunday morning for delivery to the Woodlawn Christian Center on Monday morning. A pick-up schedule for 2010 has been created and a few pick-up dates are still available. If you would like to help, please contact Rachel Estes rachel.estes@gmail.com
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