wfn.org | Mission fund focuses on children helping children

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Feb. 14, 2003  News media contact: Linda Green7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
    10-31-71BI{076} 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodist teachers and children's leaders
are receiving a packet of information designed to get kids more involved in
supporting missions around the world.

The packet from the United Methodist Children's Fund for Christian Mission is
about children helping children, said Mary Alice Gran, director of mission
education with children at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. The
agency is cosponsoring the effort with the denomination's Board of Global
Ministries.

The packet is a tool for mission education, and it includes information on
how children can raise money to support mission projects that help other
kids.

"When a congregation uses the packet consistently, year after year, the
children of that congregation learn about children in other parts of the
United States and the world as well as develop a habit of being
mission-minded," Gran said. "When giving to others is fun as well as
educational, the impact on the giving children can last a lifetime."

The Children's Fund for Christian Mission enables children to learn about and
contribute to a select group of mission projects. The projects are chosen for
their value in helping the children understand what it means to be in
mission.

"The packet is a very important tool for congregations and the children,"
Gran said. "The exposure children can have to a wide variety of projects and
places helps them to understand the needs of children everywhere. Children
learn that children in other places may lead different lives but they have
many things in common, too."

The fund raises about $200,000 for missions with children. The 2003 packet
offers teachers and leaders of children examples of activities to raise money
for the fund.

The Board of Global Ministries chooses six projects - three in the United
States and three abroad - annually for support and study, and the Board of
Discipleship prepares the teaching packet.   The projects for 2003 are
Ministry With Children in Namibia, South Africa; Wesley House Community
Center in Knoxville, Tenn.; KIDTOWN! Grace United Methodist Church in Gary,
Ind.; Community Outreach Program with Street Children in Mumbai, India; Wi'am
Center: Trauma Healing Project in Bethlehem, West Bank, Israel; and Character
Ministries: Culmore United Methodist Church in Falls Church, Va.

Each project receives an equal share of the money the fund receives,
according to Gran.
 
Since there is no reporting number similar to those of the denomination's
Advance Special projects, donors may send contributions directly to the
United Methodist Children's Fund for Christian Mission, P.O. Box 340013,
Nashville, TN 37203-0013. Include the name of the local church and address.

More information on the United Methodist Children's Fund for Christian
Mission is available by visiting www.gbod.org/children; contacting Gran at
(877) 899-2780, Ext. 7143, or mgran@gbod.org; or contacting Shirley Wu at the
United Methodist Board of Global Ministries at (212) 870-3615 or
swu@gbgm-umc.org. 

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United Methodist News Service
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