You are invited to participate in local mission opportunities in 2012. There are two ways to connect your small groups to be in mission right now.

Small groups, churches and individuals are invited to provide dinner at Brightwood Community Center, 2410 North Station Street, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the Kid's Club during the school year. Immediate available dates are: January 10, 17, 18, 25, 31 and February 1. Meals can be prepared at your church/home or in the Center kitchen. The number of children averages 30. The meal should include main course, vegetable, dessert (fruit) and juice or milk. You are asked to provide paper plates, napkins, silverware and cups. The meals are served at 5 p.m. and finished by 5:40 p.m. The Center is open at 3 p.m. in preparation of Kid's Club. Please contact Georganna Irish to sign up today.

There is a unique opportunity at Fletcher Place, 1637 Prospect Street, especially for those who have been wanting to help serve a meal. The second Wednesday of each month is available through the 2012 calendar year beginning Wednesday February 8. This is a wonderful opportunity for families, co-workers, church organizations, etc. The dinner meal is typically served from 3 to 5pm. You could choose one or all of the available Wednesday's. If you are interested please contact Karen at 636-3466, ext 4 or by email karen@fletcherplacecc.org to discuss details and so that she will know that which dates will be taken care of and that Fletcher Place neighbors will have a meal to look forward to.

Thank you for taking time to look at your mission outreach schedule and connect with these two Community Ministries today. Make a difference through mission outreach -- taking our little making it much.

Celebrating Christmas

The Brightwood Community Center celebrated Christmas at their annual family night.  Parents and family are invited to attend with their children.  A great dinner is provided by the Brightwood Board members and other volunteers.  The Kid's Club volunteers provided Christmas gifts, crafts and special Christmas cookies.

More than 100 persons gathered together at the Metro Ministries Annual Celebration November 20, 2011 at Christ UMC, US 31 South, Indianapolis from throughout Central Indiana. Twenty-five displays from our United Methodist Churches, community ministries and United Methodist agencies offered participants to collect stamps for their passport to ministries.

Youth Gabe McDonald, East Tenth UMC, and Benjamin Doliverira, Wesley UMC, led in a devotional litany. Music followed by Mina Keohane, Children’s Music Director of Carmel United Methodist Church. The Missioner of the Year is a long tradition to honor a person, persons or a group that has made a difference in serving within a community or ministry.

Honored as Missioner of the Year was the Bright Kids Literacy Center Team. The team of individuals from many churches was honored for their mentoring and tutoring of youth and children at Brightwood Community Center. Mollette Hall, a member of Barnes UMC, represented the Bright Kids Tutoring Team at the celebration and accepted the plaque to be displayed at the Brightwood Community to share with all of the tutors and children they serve.

The “rest of the story” was shared by Lisa Morris and Jean Casmir-Hill on how Metro Ministries summer youth grant offered East Tenth UM Children & Youth the opportunity to give scholarships to youth that may not have the opportunity to attend their summer youth program. A highlight of the event was the premier of the Metro Ministries 2011 Summer Youth Program video celebrating 18 summer youth programs and now can be viewed on You Tube link.

More than 40 Honor, Service and Memorial Awards were presented. Outgoing Metro Board members Amy Zent and Jim Petrow received plaques in appreciation for their service on the Metro Board of Directors. A special citation was given to Mark Eutsler, the out-going Metro Ministries Board of Director’s President in deep appreciation for his service.

Bob Kizer, Senior Vice President Walker Info and member of Emmanuel UMC, received a Metro Board President Citation award for serving as a catalyst to the board of directors in guiding the organization to reach a fuller potential. The award for Kitty Radcliff, Vice President Walker Info, was accepted on her behalf by Bob Kizer.

David V. W. Owen received the Executive Director Citation as a person of exemplary service to the Executive Director as mentor and encourager furthering the mission of Metro Ministries, Inc.

Recognizing the legacy of Metro Ministries and its transition from a charitable response organization to a strategic philanthropic deployment ministry that is convening communities of shared competent practice throughout Indiana, Governor Mitch Daniels proclaimed November 20--the date of Metro Ministries 2011 Annual Celebration at Christ UMC in Greenwood--as Metro Ministries Celebration Day throughout Indiana.