Items needed for food pantry:
 

Pancake Syrup (in plastic containers)

Apple Sauce (in plastic jars)

Spaghetti Sauce (in plastic jars or cans)

Pancake Mix

Boxed  stuffing

Canned Chili

Chunky Soups (like sirloin burger)

Chicken noodle soup

Elbow macaroni (no whole wheat or multi grain please)

Canned Ravioli

1 lb bags of white rice

Chunky soups (like chicken pot pie)

Chunky soups (like chicken pot pie)

Cream of chicken soup

Boxed mashed potatoes

Canned Beef Stew

Jelly (in plastic jars)

Tuna fish in cans or pouches

Mac and Cheese

Diced Tomatoes

Canned soups

Canned vegetables

Cream of mushroom soup

Canned meals (like spaghetti-o’s, beefaroni)

Pasta Sauces (Canned)

Peanut Butter

Rice Sides

Canned fruit

Canned chicken

 

 

 
December Mission Project – Reverse Advent!
 
December 1 – We will have Karin Cockram sharing with us about her mission trips to Kenya during our Coffee Fellowship time.  We will be taking a free will offering for her next trip. Donations can be sent directly to the church with Karin’s name in the memo field.
 
November Mission project – We are providing the Office of the Aging with Laundry Soap for the Santa for Seniors project. We have already provided the laundry soap and are looking for cash donations to help defray the costs.
 
 
From the Chautauqua Gazette – Volume 36 page 6 & 7
 

We have the unique opportunity to have the only FREE Respite / Social program for individuals (whom we call our “friends”) with Dementia and early stages of Alzheimer’s and their Caregivers in Chautauqua County. This faith-based program was started in Westfield in 2018 with the help of the Western NY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (who also provides our training). The Westfield Alzheimer Social Program, held at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield, is intended to provide individuals suffering with Dementia and early stages of Alzheimer’s an opportunity to partake in a social, supportive, and secure environment while giving Caregivers the temporary relief they need.

 

It is vital for Caregivers to maintain an adequate level of self-care and our respite program allows them to take a break from their daily care giving roles. Caregiving can be physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting. Prioritizing your own well-being is crucial for both your own health and your effectiveness as a caregiver.    We offer the opportunity for Caregivers to take time for themselves.  Take a walk, have coffee with a friend, a round of golf, stop at the library, appointment for some pampering or window shop along our main street. We offer a secure and safe environment for their loved ones. Caregivers are welcome to stay and join in to see our program if there is an anxiety of separation.

 

The volunteers provide physical, emotional, and social support for our “friends” and caregivers during the time that they are at the program. While at our program, our “friends” (and caregivers) are able to participate in a stress-free environment that has all types of activities. They do arts and crafts, games, music (even get to enjoy our preschool students joining them for songs!). Every month, they are provided with a wonderful hot meal that is provided free of charge by members of the community.  

 

This program is housed at the First United Method Church of Westfield, but is staffed by trained and vetted volunteers from many of our local churches all around the community. These volunteers receive training and commit to helping with our Community One-on-One care program. 

 

This program is held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield (101 E Main St, Westfield). We are handicap accessible and all of our activities are on one floor.  For more information on volunteering, proving a meal or for respite services, please contact Gail Boardway at (716)867-2319 or westfieldrespite@gmail.com.

 

 
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Editor’s note: The following letter was emailed to United Methodists of Upper New York on Wednesday, October 2 about disaster response following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene on behalf of Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, Disaster Response Coordinator.

Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,

We are heartbroken to witness the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene to communities across our United Methodist Connection.

We’re closely monitoring updates from UMCOR and the affected conferences, and we want to reassure you that The United Methodist Church is actively responding with UMCOR’s support. Churches in the impacted conferences are assembling UMCOR Relief Kits, providing meals, sheltering, and showering services, and preparing their Early Response Teams for deployment. God’s love is evident in the quick actions, prayers, and generosity of many.

Already, many of you have reached out wondering what we can do as United Methodists of Upper New York to assist in the relief efforts. Here are four ways you can help during this challenging time:

PRAY: Please pray for those impacted by the hurricane and for the first responders who are involved in search and rescue efforts.

DONATE: The most effective way we can make a difference is through a generous financial contribution. Consider donating to UMCOR US Disaster Response or visit the website of one of the impacted conferences to donate directly to a specific response.

PAUSE: Please do not self-deploy or send product donations directly to the disaster area. We are connected to the affected communities through our United Methodist Connection, and we will be notified if there are specific needs that we can help with. Unsolicited product donations and help can overwhelm an already chaotic situation. The Early Response Teams in Upper New York will be invited to assist through UMCOR when additional help is needed.

PREPARE: To respond safely and effectively, when needed, consider attending one of our upcoming disaster-response trainings. We are welcoming UMCOR Consultant, Pam Garrison, to our Conference on November 2 and January 25 to lead a Connecting Neighbors Training. Sign up for one of the sessions here.

May we continue to be instruments of God’s peace, sharing compassion and kindness to our neighbors near and far.

Together in community,

Kristina Clark
Associate Director of Missional Excellence
Disaster Response Coordinator  

 
 
 
 
 
 
Rebuilding Hope in Rome, NY https://vimeo.com/992968930
 
 
Gail Boardway presenting a check to Lyle Holland for the Fire Department
 
The First United Methodist Church of Westfield did something a little different this year for Father’s Day (June 2024). As a way of remembering and honoring or fathers (and others in the community), we offered “Fire Hydrant’s” for people to give in honor of or in memory of anyone they choose. We were able to raise $200 for the Westfield Fire Department. Many thanks to all that participated.!
 
 
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Blessed that the United Methodist Church of Westfield NY was able to receive a grant from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation to help with the Blue Bag/Pink Envelope funds. What are the blue bag & Pink Envelope funds?
The Pink Envelope fund was started as a mission project of the church to Menstrual Hygiene Products, diapers and formula to women in the community.
The Blue Bag fund was another mission project of the church to help food pantry clients with basics not covered by SNAP. They include: soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, laundry soap, cleaning solutions and so much more.
Both of these programs rely heavily on donations from individuals and the community.
Many thanks to those that have made these projects possible. If you are interested in helping out with either of the projects, please contact the church.
 
 
 
 
Article from the April 15, 2024 Jamestown Gazette
Written by LeAnn Childs
I knew nothing about the commitment of the Westfield community to helping those less fortunate when I started working as the Administrative Assistant at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield (FUMC Westfield) in 2011. Part of my job was checking in food pantry clients. Even though I had been in many churches and lived in different communities (my husband is a pastor), I had heard about needs and made donations, but I had never actually gotten to know those that that needed the help. Through my work, I have gotten to know these individuals and families. I have worked with them to get as much help as possible, been there to support and cheer them on as they/their families changed, grew and shifted.
The FUMC Westfield has hosted the Westfield Community Food Pantry for over 25 years. This has been an area wide endeavor and relies on help from the community and Feed More of Western New York. The community has stepped up to help this be a thriving and much needed (and appreciated) program in the Westfield area.
In 2023, the Food Pantry logged in well over 700 hours in volunteer time. (from food ordering; to food deliveries; to packing food; to check ins; to food distribution; to paperwork) These volunteers come from all over the village and surrounding areas. We served over 650 families (averaging about 56 families a month). We served 1525 individuals (averaging 127 per month). We provided 13,725 meals (averaging 1144 meals per month). We have received donations from every church in Westfield at least 2 times a year. We received food donations from individuals and organizations (including some special treats from local Girl Scouts). We received monetary donations as memorials, in honor of someone’s birthday and “just because” donations. Our Reverse Advent (sponsored by the FUMC Westfield) brought in over 750 items! The nice part of the reverse advent is that people will gift the food pantry an item every day of the advent season that are needed to help fill the food pantry shelves. We have added a bonus day for December 25 – and encourage people to bring items for Mary and/or baby Jesus.
Over time, we discovered there were needs that were not being met with the Food Pantry including cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products. These are items most of us take granted. With the help of the Westfield Ministerium (made up of clergy from the village of Westfield), we were able to gift families with a cleaning bucket filled with items like dish soap, laundry soap, dish cloth, household cleaner, bar soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, toothpaste and much more. This started as a one-time thing but was very well received (and needed) and we began to explore options that would allow us to give these items out more frequently. We have been fortunate that many individuals, churches, and organizations have helped us be able to offer these items multiple times a year! This project has turned into our “Blue Bag Fund”.
About 6 years ago, we discovered that many households did not have the funds for menstrual products and baby care items. We started what is known as our “Pink Envelope Fund”. This fund is used to provide diapers, wipes, formula, menstrual pads, tampons, menstrual cups and incontinence products. With of the generosity of the Westfield Community, we are able to offer these products for free to those that are in need in the Westfield area year round.
So if you ask me about Westfield, I would tell you that there are many individuals, organizations and churches that truly care about all individuals in the Westfield Community. There are many opportunities to help others and many organizations that do help out – just ask anyone in town about Union Relief and the Women of Westfield to name a few. I know that each community has opportunities out there to help others if you take the time to look for it. I know that when you take the opportunity to reach out to give, you get back so much more than you ever give. Your opportunities can be something small that others won’t notice but if it comes from your heart, you will be blessed. I know I have been blessed when receiving something as small as a heartfelt smile.
If you feel led to contribute or would like more information, please feel free to contact the church at 716-326-3243, email us at westmeth@fairpoint.net, check out our church website https://www.westfieldnyumc.org or visit our wish lists on Amazon: (Westfield Food Pantry) Blue bag/pink envelope and Food Pantry. You can also look into donating in your local area. Take time today to be a blessing.
 
UPDATE: – We did it! Thank you for a successful year of Mission Opportunities!
 
 
We are trying something new starting in September 2023. We are doing a “Mission” oriented project each month from September through June. Here is our list. Watch for details!
 
September – No Shoe Sunday (September 24) Collecting Shoes
October – Senior Santa Project (Laundry Soap)
November – Our normal Food Pantry Month
December – Reverse Advent Calendar and angel ornament sale
January – “Bee A Blessing”
February – Souper Bowl Soup Sale, soup collection for Food Pantry
March – Focus on UMCOR
April – “Showers” Items and funds for our “Blue Bag Fund”
May – Our normal Food Pantry Month
June – Father Day – donations to the Fire Department
 
 
 
 
 
Many thanks to everyone that did this. We were able to collect over 700 items for the Food Pantry!
 
Also, our angel ornaments raised $180 for the Food Pantry!
 
This year (2023) we were able to raise over $200 for the Patterson Library in honor of Father’s day!
 
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We have started up a new fund/project. We are calling it the “Blue Bag Fund“. The idea is to collect items and funds that will allow us to distribute personal hygiene items (tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, etc.) and cleaning supplies (dish soap, laundry soap, cleanser and more) to individuals in need in our community. Our first distribution was 48 bags of items that we were able to purchase using a generous donation from the Westfield Ministerial Association.  We have created a wish list of items that we are seeing the need for as more and more displaced individuals are moving into our community.  You may purchase items from the wish list https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/DVDH67AJZ15Y,  or may drop off items/funds directly to the church. We appreciate your ongoing support to the community and those in need. 
 
We are still collecting both donations and funds for our “Pink Envelope Fund”. This fund is used to provide individuals in our community with feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes and formula. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rev. Dr. Nicholas Perry & Fire Chief Christopher Reese

 
 

The First United Methodist Church of Westfield did something a little different this year for Father’s Day (June 2022). As a way of remembering and honoring or fathers (and others in the community), we offered “Fire Hydrant’s” for people to give in honor of or in memory of anyone they choose. We were able to raise $330 for the Westfield Fire Department. Many thanks to all that participated.

2020 brings Illini 4000  Bike riders in May
and Bike & Build Riders in June!!!
 
postponed due to Covid-19
 
We really enjoy hosting both groups and look forward to seeing them again next year!
 
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Reverse Advent Calendar!

The First United Methodist Church of Westfield’s Mission and Outreach team started a project on December 1, 2019. It was the Reverse Advent Calendar project. The idea behind the project was to give an item every day of Advent that would go to the Westfield Community Food Pantry. It encouraged people to put the item listed for that day in a box or bag and at the end of advent, you had 24 plus items for the food pantry.  After getting a list of items needed from the Food Pantry (many items not available from the Food Bank), they had 3 styles of calendars printed: one that was like a calendar, one that was like a Bingo card and one that was a list. The church not only challenged their congregation, but the Westfield community and all Methodist Churches in the Cornerstone District.

 

On January 5, the First United Methodist Church of Westfield blessed the items that had been donated and following the service, many volunteers from the church and community came to help move, sort and shelve the donations (from not only the Methodist Church but also items from other area churches) to the food pantry. More than 1,500 items were donated from the Methodist Church but a total of well over 2,000 were donated to the Westfield Community Food Pantry through this project.  

 

We would like to thank everyone involved in this project from beginning to end – those that coordinated the project, those that donated to the project and those that helped carry, sort and shelve all of those donations.

 

Items collected (and always needed) included: Pancake Syrup (in plastic containers); Pancake Mix; Spaghetti Sauce (in plastic jars or cans); Cream of chicken soup; Elbow macaroni (no whole wheat or multi grain please); Canned Peas; 1 lb bags of white rice; Canned Chili; Canned Corn; Chunky soups; Boxed mashed potatoes; Juice – Any Flavor (64 oz); Mac and Cheese; Jelly (in plastic jars); Toilet Paper; Canned soups; Pasta Sauces (Canned); Apple Sauce (in plastic jars); Shelf Stable Milk; Canned meals (like spaghetti-o’s; beefaroni); Canned Kidney beans; Cream of mushroom soup; Canned Ravioli; Spices (Salt, pepper…); Feminine Hygiene products; diapers; Condiments; baking items (flour, sugar…) and Laundry Soap.

 
Blessing the food
 
Sorting & stocking the shelves
 

Full Shelves

 
 
 
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2019 brings Illini 4000  Bike riders in May
and Bike & Build Riders in June!!!
 
We really enjoy hosting both groups and look forward to seeing them again next year!
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ILLINI 4000 – May 2019

   

Red Bird Mission Shoe box

 
 
The Mission and Outreach Board and the Sunday School classes teamed up for this mission project.
 

Red Bird Mission has provided ministries in the Appalachian Mountains region since 1921. Today, the need remains critical in this isolated, rural, distressed area. These shoe boxes can address the needs of Red Bird’s Health & Wellness and Community Outreach ministries

 

 

 
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Bike & Build came in June 2016!
 
The Bike and Build team for 2016 was here on  June 30 – July 1 . Bike & Build organizes cross-country bicycle trips which benefit affordable housing groups. We were blessed to feed and house these young people as they travel across America.  
 
2016 Photos
P1300104 P1300105
 
 
2015 Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Connected

 
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Haiti: update – Pastor Molly continues to make annual trips to Haiti.
Pastor Molly went to Haiti in February for a sewing small business mission trip. Look for follow up information on this trip.
12806008_10206143601294328_7522192980883152013_n
“Beautiful Women Who Are Sewing” (their new logo)
 
Thank you to the many women who contributed money and well over 250 lbs of supplies – fabric, thread, buttons, rick rack, seam rippers, measuring tapes, etc. etc. etc. to the Haiti sewing mission. Each woman already created enough to receive what is a one week salary in Haiti. They have enough materials and supplies to give them a 2 month salary plus enough to continue to invest in their own business. Your gifts have changed lives!
Feb 2016 Photos

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Illini 4000 were here in  June 2016!
 
June 5/6, we were able to provide food and housings as a group of riders from
Illini 4000
made there way through the area. This was our second year of hosting them and hope they make there way back on future trips.
The Illini 4000 is a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting the American cancer experience through The Portraits Project, raising funds for cancer research and patient support services, as well as spreading awareness for the fight against cancer through annual cross-country bike rides.
 
 

Stay Connected

 
 

We made it to San Francisco!  After 71 days, starting in New York City, the Illini 4000 team biked to San Francisco to raise both awareness and donations for cancer research and patient support services. This summer was an amazing experience that we will never forget.  As a team, we were able to explore new parts of the United States, meet extremely generous individuals, form lasting friendships, and improve our cycling skills.  More meaningful was hearing the stories of individuals affected by cancer.  They were inspiring and always a great reminder of why we ride across the country.  Thank you for supporting us throughout this process.  Without your generosity this ride would not be possible.  Due to your assistance, we were able to safely travel across the USA, raising over $87,000 for cancer research and patient support services and collecting 36 portraits of individuals affected by cancer.

 

Once again, thank you for our support.  We look forward to staying in contact with you in future years.

 

Additionally, if you would like to keep in touch with us more frequently, feel free to follow us on:
 Website: http://illini4000.org/
 Facebook: Illini 4000
 Twitter: Illini 4000

 
or contact us at

contactus@illini4000.org

 

Sincerely,

Alison DeBruyn

Director of Supporter Relations, Illini 4000

 

supporterrelations@illini4000.org

 

 
P.O. Box Illini

4000 2431

Champaign, Illinois 61825

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Africa 360

For the month of April, 2016 we  focused on Africa 360. Each week in the church bulletin, we  highlighted either education, medicine or agriculture.  (Check our blog section [Africa 360] for the weekly insert

The Upper NY Conference has committed to the mission/initiative. As members of the United Methodist Church, we are part of a connectional church. Therefore, we are asked to contribute when we are called and are able.

The church  set a goal of $500.  [update – we reached $1000 – way to go!!!] (not only that – the children collected an additional $25.00+ in change to add to our total!)

 

 
africa 360 back
 
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On Sunday, June 28, 2015 we were blessed to have Christian Perry join us for worship and then talk to us about Little Angels of Honduras. Those that were able to stay were energized!

Stay Connected