End the Growling 2019

END THE GROWLING,  2019

On the morning of Saturday, April 27, 2019 this year’s edition of End the Growling food packing extravaganza  was held at Peoples United Methodist Church’s Ellis Hall. Taking part this year were teams from Peoples, Thornton Heights United Methodist and the local chapter of the Oddfellows. Packing is the culmination of weeks of collecting donations that all would go to the purchase of the dry ingredients. This was the 6^th year of this event in South Portland and the fourth that was held at Peoples.

Ready for packing

Thornton Heights

At 9 AM on the morning of the packing many of Peoples people were present to set up tables and prepare for the packing apparatus. Matt Martin, from Outreach Inc., a former pastor, arrived with the Outreach truck shortly after setting up tables and a number of men and women helped unpack and set-up the team tables and by 10 AM everything was ready to go. Pastor Ami led us all in prayer and all the tables personnel were ready to each take a scoop or bags, or sealers and go to work. Rosemary was in the kitchen getting out cookies and coffee most of which were not indulged in until the packing was over just before 12 Noon. 


 We thank Pastor Ami, Art and Cori for getting this year’s packing and donation going and carrying it out. We have missed Cori’s direction and presence in the packing. We also thank the folks at Outreach Inc. for their dedication to the Lord and to those in need. Thank you Matt in finding a bit of time for us in your all too busy schedule.

Thornton Heights

Oddfellows and Thornton Heights

Thornton Heights with Pastor Ami

Placing stickers on packets

Preparation for each packing event begins long before the event takes place with donations and offerings held throughout the Lenten season at each of the churches in the Casco Bay Cluster. In addition to Thornton Heights and Peoples contributions and offerings are also collected at Cape Elizabeth and West Scarborough. No packing teams from Cape Elizabeth and West Scarborough were available this year.

Tuesday Morning

Oddfellows with Bonnie Farrand

Each of the team members is asked to be responsible for $45 in donations and each team of 10 would then be responsible for at least $450 in contributions. While the numbers of teams was down this year the overall collection and financial donations was very good. The amount donated from Peoples was $1681.00 and while it doesn’t count toward a church amount the collection on the Lenten service at Peoples was $122.00. The amount of donations was $400.00 more than Peoples was able to gather last year.

Peoples Packers

Hunger Stoppers

Peoples Packers

The packages of dry food this year included a packet of seasoning, a packet of cheese, rice, vegetables and soy. Each packet mixed with water would make a family meal. In total 15, 556 packets were boxed in 75 cases and prepared to be picked up or taken to area food cupboards or pantries in the area.

Reloading for the next packing

Matt Martin from Outreach /Happy Trails

After the packing

Are you who have served this year, packed and donated time and money ready to do it again next year? If you missed some of the fun of serving others this year I hope you will be ready next year. If you are willing to serve on a team to prepare for next year let anyone who has been on it this year or before no of you interest.

United Methodist Men

United Methodist Men

On the second Saturday of each month from September through June the Peoples United Methodist Men meet for breakfast and a meeting. Presently the leadership includes Merrill as the President, Dan as the Vice President, Art as the Secretary and Keith as the Treasurer. Others that hold significant positions include Lin in Missions, Andy in social plans and Dick S and Dan in the area of work projects. One of the projects that we just helped support with manpower and money was the Trustees update of electrical lighting in Ellis Hall and the vestry. Members of the UMM have helped and been part of, many other projects sometimes in the name of another organization within the church. In the coming month a number of the men will be serving as a member of a team to pack meals for the “End the Growling Project” and again another mission project that the men have had an association with was the filling of clean-up buckets that are to be donated to UMCOR. The men will also be involved in the church clean-up inside and outside the church on the first weekend in May.

Wes, Chuck, and Keith in the kitchen

Ravi and Dick M wait and Dan joins others in the kitchen.

As we pray and enjoy and meal together

Our most recent meeting only had nine members present because so many others were taking advantage of vacation time, but gathering together and making plans over food and activity is a long standing ritual of United Methodist organizations. Usually the food is prepared and cooked by our resident chef, Brad. He did prepare it but a number of the men were employed in the kitchen to warm the food, make the coffee and serve it to the gathering men.

Those in attendance included: Jim M, Merrill, Dan, Art, Keith, Dick M, Wes,  Ravi and Chuck.

Merrill and Wes on this end

A call list and e-mail is used to get in touch with members before a meeting and to send minutes and agendas and other messages to the membership. Again I like to remind folks that we do meet on the second Saturday of each month minus July and August at 7:30 AM in the vestry.

April Community Luncheon

April Community Luncheon April 11, 2019

April Community Luncheon April 11, 2019

Marlene

Pam

Dan

Decorations

One of many successful community services that Peoples UMC has developed is the Senior Community Luncheon. At one time the Meals on Wheels Program served a congregate meal at Peoples. When they left Brad had the idea that we could pick up the void that had been left. Brad contacted Marlene and from there many other Peoples’ folks jumped on the bandwagon. A call list was created and several of the women volunteered to make calls reminding and asking people on the list if they would like to come. Others arrive early on the second Thursday of a month to set up and even more regularly assist Brad in the kitchen. It is not unusual for 20-28 people from the church to show up to work on this monthly event. The callers include Joanne, Betty, Barbara, Carol, and Janice. Several others engage themselves in listening and serving at the luncheon.

This month 97 people were present. Preceding the meal, entertainment began at 11:30 AM and most of the people coming were there by then. The hall is set up beginning around 9:30 AM and the coffee is on by 10:00AM. Many of the guests come filtering in the doors shortly thereafter, giving them ample time to find seats for themselves and friends who are yet to come. The guests are usually greeted at the check-in table by Joanne, Susan and Sharie.

Ruth

Doc's Banjo Band

Doc's Banjo Band

Doc’s Banjo Band were set up and ready to entertain at 11:30 AM. This was the second time that the band graced our presence and as before they were a treat to the ears when they brought many of their numbers from yesteryear. We do thank them for their charity and hope to see them all again.

Peter belts it out

Eric and his Tuba

The meal on this day  prepared by Chef Brad was ham steak, potatoes augratin and carrots. For dessert Rosemary provided a white cake with coconut frosting.  Mini biscuits were also part of the meal.

Brad, Rosemary and Keith

Len, Merrill, Pat, Jody, Pam and Nancy

Jody, Len Merrill, Pam, Pat, Nancy and Pastor Tom

Next month, May, the luncheon will be held on the 9^th and the entertainment is scheduled to be the Port City Sound a barbershop quartet. Think about helping or just come and enjoy!

Kitchen Crew expanded

Spurwink and more

Ruth and the band

Familiar faces

More familiar folks