Church and Society Work Area
What is the task of Church & Society in our church and community?

The primary mission of the Church & Society Work Area is to provide spiritual, financial and hands-on service to organizations and programs in our service area that are selected by the members of the committee/work area.

It is the intent that each organization and program supported will have a representative as an active participant in the work area.

The committee will review the financial support provided to organizations and programs on an annual basis based on recommendations made by the representative serving on the work area. The representative may be asked to obtain a written report relating how Church & Society financial support was spent. The Committee will provide funding recommendations to the Administrative Board as part of the annual budget process of the Church.

This web page describes some of the community programs we support by our financial gifts and our volunteer services. You are invited and encouraged to get involved in this work, remembering the words of Jesus, “...inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40.

Our United Methodist Social Creed

We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.

We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.

We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage and the family.

We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.

We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.

We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.

Work Areas

Adopt A School

Our church has adopted N.B. Cook Elementary and Brownsville Middle, both inner-city schools. Members of the church support the school children with cash donations, help with school projects and special events, recognition of teachers, and volunteer work.

N.B. Cook and Brownsville are special places where we seek to show love for God’s children.

Angel Tree

Each Christmas season, members of First Church become “angels” and provide gifts for pupils at N.B. Cook Elementary, an inner-city school. Each year gifts are provided for approximately 100 children.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida is affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the premier mentoring organization in the United States, with more than 500 agencies in all fifty states. Millions of children have been served since 1904, primarily through one-to-one, professionally supported relationships with caring adult volunteers.

A BBBS match is carefully administered and supported by rigorous standards and trained personnel. BBBS staff strive for matches that are not only safe and suited to the child’s needs, but also harmonious and built to last. BBBS staff provide ongoing support and supervision to the Big, Little and Little’s family. In many cases the Big receives training which helps all parties get through any rough spots in the relationship.

Staff throughout the federation of 514 BBBS agencies draw guidance from a uniform set of standards and procedures. These standards, as well as training and consultation, are provided by the BBBS national office. This web of support helps maximize the chance that a Big Brother-Big Sister-relationship will “take root” and flourish. These children and adults consistently spend more time together, and continue as a match for longer periods, than do their peers in non-BBBSA programs.

Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Inc., at 850.433.5437.

Council on Aging

The mission of the Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc., is, “To provide advocacy, support and services for the aging and for those involved in their lives in ways that will improve the quality of life for all.” Some of the programs offered to the community by the Council on Aging are as follows:

• Case Management — Linking people with resources
• Congregate Meals — Food, fun and fellowship
• Foster Grandparents — Special seniors helping special children
• Transportation
• The Oaks Adult Daycare
• RSVP — Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
• Meals on Wheels
• Rise and Stride — Walk the mall for health, fitness and fun
• Senior centers
• Chore — The “handyman special”

To contact the Council of Aging of West Florida, call 850.432.1475.

Esca-Rosa Coalition on the Homeless

The EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless provide the following statistics on homelessness in our community:

Escambia County has an estimated 2085 homeless daily
42% are families
20% are under 18 years old, including runaways and throwaways
45% are homeless for the first time

The EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless offer the following services:

• Coat Off Your Back — Year-round drive to collect and disseminate usable coats, hats, gloves and socks to the homeless.
• Street Survival Guide — Providing information to the homeless on services in our community.
• Homeless Message Service
• Limited assistance with transportation to seek employment, purchase of identification cards and/or birth certificates.
• Project REACH — Help for homeless families with school-age children and funded by the Escambia County School District

To reach the EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless, call 850.439.3009.

Favor House of Northwest Florida, Inc.

Every 60 seconds a case of spouse abuse is reported to police. Many cases go unreported. Over 3 million women are beaten in their homes, and the children are also abused. No segment of the population is exempt. Family violence is in all economic, racial, and social classes.

FavorHouse of Northwest Florida is a temporary shelter for victims in both Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. The agency is committed to addressing the causes of domestic violence and aiding in its prevention. FavorHouse also helps domestic violence victims through crisis lines, information and referral, and advocacy programs, as well as educational programs and support groups for both victims and perpetrators. The crisis intervention and shelter hot line is staffed year round, twenty-four hours a day, and accepts collect calls. The location of the shelter is not publicized to insure the safety of the clients.

The shelter is a non-profit organization which is funded through the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services, with remaining funding from community donations. FavorHouse is always in need of cash donations and other wish-list items such as toiletries and sanitary items. If you would like to help this agency, please contact the Church & Society liaison.

Volunteers can answer the phone at the administration office, serve as companions to women in the shelter, help in cleaning at the shelter, baby-sit children at the shelter, etc. Volunteer tasks are dependent on the amount of time a person can volunteer. Prospective volunteers need to go to the administration office (2001 W. Blount Street) and complete a volunteer application. Anyone answering the phone at this office can provide information on volunteering. Call 850.434.1177.

Florida Impact

Florida Impact is a church-based organization which lobbies the Florida Legislature on justice, economic and social issues, and educates the churches regarding these issues. Current issues are welfare reform, child hunger (Florida is first in the U.S. in child hunger!), and homelessness.

The Mission Statement of Florida Impact is —In keeping with the Biblical prophetic tradition, the mission of Florida Impact is to inspire and enlist the people of Florida to do justice. Florida Impact will work with communities of faith, with people of conscience, and with those whose economic, social and political rights have not been realized to advocate for justice and compassion before the Florida Legislature.

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

To become involved with Florida Impact, contact Mrs. Fran Jones at 850.469.1216.

The Great Family Network

The primary purpose of this organization is to assist families in need by offering faith-based institutions the opportunity to provide care items to interact with families in holistic ways.

The Great Family Network is a non-profit organization conceived and developed through the education committee of the Chief Judge’s Task Force. Their collective concern to provide healing for families in pain led to the extension of this program to area faith-based teams who are trained and currently working with these families.

Program requirements: Families involved in the program are required to set and reach goals leaning to positive relationships, healthy functioning, and stable employment. The faith-based organizations are required to encourage and support care teams and families. And the care teams must commit to meet with their “adopted” family for a minimum of six to twelve months.

There is a tremendous need for care teams to work with families. If you would like to get involved, please call 595-5934 for more information. You may also visit The Great Family Network, Inc., at 1800 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, 32501.

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel using words only when necessary. — St. Francis of Assisi

Habitat for Humanity
Building houses in partnership with God’s people in need.

Pensacola Habitat is an ecumenical organization that builds and sells houses to families who would not otherwise be able to afford a decent home.

Selected families do provide a small down payment and a certain number of “sweat equity” labor hours, in addition to paying off a 20-year, no-interest loan.

Worldwide, Habitat has built nearly 50,000 homes. Pensacola’s Habitat has built or renovated 94 homes since 1983 and had the distinction of building the 50,000th house in 1996. Volunteer labor, monetary contributions and donation of building supplies are the cornerstones of the Habitat program. First United Methodist Church continues to support this worthwhile organization through these service areas and prayer.

In 1993 members of First United Methodist Church built a Habitat Home. Our members raised the funds, organized the workers and completed the home for a Pensacola family. In 1997 another home was funded and built. More Habitat for Humanity homes have followed in the ensuing years. We welcome your help and involvement. Some of the ways church members may serve are: donate time to build homes, provide new building materials if you have access to them, or “money” is always welcome. If you are an electrician or plumber, we can put you to work. Or, if you want to help as a volunteer to provide meals to the workers, there’s great need for your services.

If you want to become involved with “building houses in partnership with God’s people in need,” call the church office at 850.432.1434. Richard Doelker is our liaison with the Habitat office.

Jail Ministries, Inc.

Interfaith Jail Ministries, Inc., was founded in 1969 to provide moral and spiritual support in local jails and the road camp. Services provided by the Interfaith Jail Ministries include Sunday services, an exchange library, spiritual counseling, special activities classes, and women’s arts and crafts programs. The Re-entry Program assists inmates in their transition from prison life back to a home, their families and employment.

Volunteers and chaplains serve an ever-growing jail population. Church members can participate by donating magazines and women’s and men’s clothing for newly released inmates. Volunteers are needed to work on the newly acquired Re-entry Transition Home. Volunteers are needed in June of each year when our church is in charge of the Arts and Crafts Program at the Women’s Jail. Contact the church office, 850.432.1434

“Then the righteous asked him, ‘Lord when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers or sisters, you did it for me.’” — Matthew 25:37,40

Learn to Read of Northwest Florida

Founded in 1984, Learn to Read of Northwest Florida, Inc. (LTR), recruits and trains volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring of adults who are poor readers or are unable to read (ages 16 and up, reading levels below grade 7), using phonics-based curriculum materials. LTR is an affiliate of ProLiteracy Worldwide, an international literacy training organization.

LTR receives prospective students through local advertising, referrals from social service agencies and individuals already in the program. Students are asked to make short-term and long-term goals. The tutor and student work together to achieve those individual goals in addition to completing skill books. LTR advertises in local media, and members speak to local civic organizations to recruit tutors for the program. LTR trainers conduct workshops several times a year to train new Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language tutors. Tutors and students meet for classes at the LTR office and at local businesses, churches, schools, social service agencies and other suitable training sites.

The following mission statement has been adopted for the Learn to Read organization: “All people should be able to live fulfilling, enjoyable lives, providing for themselves and their families, and contributing to society. The mission of Learn to Read of Northwest Florida, Inc., is to ensure that no adult members of society be denied these opportunities and privileges because they cannot read and write. We will teach them.”

Contact Learn to Read of Northwest Florida, Inc., at 850.432.4347.

Loaves & Fishes Transitional Housing

First United Methodist Church joins twenty-three other church in Pensacola to help sponsor homes to be used by homeless families with children on a temporary basis. The home we sponsor, along with two others churches (St. Paul’s Catholic and St. Mary’s Catholic), is located at 1017 Trenton Drive.

The program is an outreach of Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen. Families who use the Loaves & Fishes shelter for the homeless are often interviewed and offered these transitional homes after the maximum time has been spent in the shelter. The family can stay in the transitional home for several months, which assists them in becoming self-sufficient. Because of sponsor churches contributing $150 each month, the family is asked to pay only a token rent. If there is no income for the family, they are assisted in finding employment. They are required to save a certain percentage of their income so that when they leave the transitional home, they have something to help start over again. During the time the family is in the home, they are given assistance/training in goal setting, financial planning, employment skills, parenting and educational opportunities. They are given referrals to appropriate community resources and are ministered to spiritually. They are encouraged to find a church if they don’t have one and to become a part of a spiritual community.

Each church provides a representative who makes direct contact with the families, offering encouragement and Christian caring. Each family who lives in the home has unique needs. Often groups in the church help by donating cleaning products and paper products to the family, since those items cannot be purchased with food stamps. Some families have no transportation and need help going to the grocery or to appointments. Anyone interested in assisting these families would need to call the church office at 850.432.1434.

Manna Food Bank
Leave No One Unfed

Manna Food Bank is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. It is nonsectarian, community focused, and volunteer supported.

Manna Food Bank collects, stores and distributes nonperishable food to disadvantaged individuals and families who have legitimate, verifiable needs. Services are provided in the Emergency Food Program, Monthly Service Program, and Infant Services Program.

First United Methodist Church supports Manna Food Bank with monthly financial donations, food collections, and volunteers. Nonperishable foods (canned meats, fish, baby and junior foods, canned vegetables, breakfast cereal, peanut butter, side dishes, soups) may be presented on any date and placed in the collection boxes in the Wright Place and the Library.

Volunteers are needed with client intake, distribution, food box preparation, newsletter mailing, and substitute driver.

First United Methodist members may support the Manna Food Bank with their prayers and donations. For volunteer opportunities, call Manna at 850.432.2053. The administrative offices are located at 116 East Gonzalez Street, Pensacola, Florida 32501.

Milk ‘n Honey Outreach Ministries
“Believing only the best.” — Numbers 14:8

Milk and Honey Outreach Ministries is a program designed to reach out to inner city children and youth with mentoring and counseling activities. Many children and youth in our city are “at risk” due to lack of adult supervision between the time they leave school and the time their parents come home from work.

Activities are designed to develop moral, spiritual, social and educational values.

Our church joins other churches in the downtown area to provide support and guidance to the directors. Several members of our church serve on the Board of Directors. Funding is provided by supporting churches, individuals and organizations in the community. The Milk and Honey program also writes requests for grants from foundations and the state.

FUMC member, Bob Turner, is Board Chairman and Larry Mosley serves on the Board of Directors. If you have questions or wish to volunteer time with this program, please contact Sonya Culliver at 850.469.8788.

New Beginnings Group, Inc.

New Beginnings provides assistance, support and fellowship to recovering women who have made a personal pledge to overcome addiction. The organization sponsors transitional living programs to promote individual growth and restoration of meaningful, productive and spiritual lives. New Beginnings offers an intensive, individualized, comprehensive program that addresses the unique needs of the chemically-dependent person in order to facilitate the return to mainstream living and continued spiritual growth. The program provides access to licensed professional counseling and group sessions, which includes the services of Lakeview Center of Baptist Healthcare. Family support sessions are also offered to those who are interested in learning the family dynamics of addiction.

New Beginnings provides housing, nutritional requirements, healthcare awareness, legal support, access to vocational rehabilitation, employment, education, and physical fitness. Following the 12-step model of AA, the program is designed to ensure physical, emotional and spiritual healing by maintaining a safe, quiet, and mutually supportive community of recovering individuals.

For more information about New Beginnings, call 850.439.1522.

Suit Yourself

Entering the workforce can be an exciting time. It also can add undue pressure and stress to be just “perfect” and dress “just right.” Suit Yourself is a free community service project of United Methodist Women that helps provide encouragement, professional imaging tips, as well as quality interview clothing and accessories for women in economic transition who are entering the workforce.

Our staff is fully trained to help in the following areas:

• Answer questions on work etiquette
• Help in assembling a coordinated outfit for interviews or on the job
• Provide imaging tips pertaining to specific careers

By personal appointment, candidates are scheduled for a personal fitting and consultation. Group fittings are also scheduled for women completing courses offered by local agencies and organizations.

Two very important ways you can help Suit Yourself is by donating your quality, nearly new clothing and accessories or by volunteering your time to assist our clients in gaining economic independence.

Donations of clothing and accessories, as well as intimate apparel and cosmetics, are taken at First UMC every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Clothing should be in season, clean and on hangers. All donations are tax deductible.

Suit Yourself is always looking for women who would like to be a part of a volunteer team that cares about other women. Our volunteers play a vital role in assisting our clients achieve economic independence. Volunteers are needed to organize donated items, as well as to conduct group and individual fittings. You also may join our Speakers Bureau for community organizations. A few hours a month could make a difference in someone’s life—maybe even your own.

If you would like to help women succeed in the workforce, please call the church office at 850.432.1434 and ask for the Suit Yourself voice mail.

United Ministries

United Ministries is a non-profit agency which provides emergency financial help to meet the basic needs of people facing crisis situations. It is funded by more than fifty-six participating churches, many civic organizations, and caring and dedicated individuals. It is a ‘clearinghouse of compassion,” as caring and dedicated volunteer counselors carefully screen applicants, conduct private and confidential interviews, and keep computer records of all clients (thus preventing duplication).

A “homeless prevention agency,” United Ministries saves more than 6,000 individual family members from eviction or loss of utilities each year. FUMC Work Area on Church and Society has budgeted support for United Ministries for thirteen years and has provided many volunteers and donors. Volunteers serve as receptionists, and as phone and interview counselors. Volunteers work only four hours a week and attend one staff meeting a month. Choose hours: Monday thru Thursday, 9 AM to 1 M; United Ministries is closed on Friday. For more information, call Harriet Riley at United Ministries, 850.438.6655. United Ministries offices are at 257B East Lee Street.

First United Methodist Church Pensacola FL
E-mail      Phone: 850.432.1434     Fax: 850.432.5749