“Mustard Seed Work Days”

Mustard Seed serves a disadvantaged area of Oklahoma City that is often overlooked by City planners and community organizations. The 73114 zip code of Oklahoma City is Ranked as the second highest poverty area in Oklahoma City by the Department of Human Services, has schools that are consistently ranked low performance, and has a significantly high crime rate. Mustard Seed is the only community development organization working in this impoverished neighborhood.

New Covenant has several Mustard Seed Workdays throughout the year to work on home repair projects. The work varies each workday and is a great experience for teens, families or small groups of all ages.  So watch the e-newsletter for the next Mustard Seed Workday and bring your work gloves and tools.

 

Faith Promise Dollars and Mission Team At Work

Back in April several folks from New Covenant attended the house dedication for Ms. Velma Dennis at 417 N.W. 90th in Oklahoma City. This 83-year-old lady's house was badly damaged by fire a few years ago and she did not have the insurance funds to rebuild. Thanks to volunteers like those from New Covenant, Mustard Seed Development Corporation, and a little government assistance, she is now back in her home.
The "before" picture shows a team of folks from New Covenant who were the first to work on the demolition back in August 2006. By the time we finished the first day's work, the house was completely gutted down to the rafters. The entire front yard and one container was filled with debris. In one day, New Covenant volunteers had successfully "demo-ed" Velma's house. Thank you, New Covenant, for your faithfulness and seeing the job through to completion.

 

“Edmond Community Thanksgiving Dinner”

New Covenant is one of several Edmond churches that have joined together to produce the Edmond Community Thanksgiving Dinner which is now an Edmond tradition.  New Covenant Church served as the host church in 2007.  The dinner was held in the Grand Ball Room of the Nigh Center on the University of Central Oklahoma campus.  Over 2,000 people were served Thanksgiving dinner for free.  Call the church office to volunteer for next year's dinner.  Serving in this way is a rewarding experience.

 

“Alive In Christ On Saturday Night”

This is a dinner and worship service attended by primarily homeless individuals. New Covenant provides and serves dinner following the worship service that we have attended at Skyline United Methodist Church. (Near St. Anthony’s Hospital) Volunteers needed to help with providing and serving the meal. Visit http://www.skylineurbanministry.org/ for more information.

 

The Giving Tree

This is New Covenant’s annual Christmas outreach program. We will typically provide gifts and food baskets for families in need. We sometimes host a party for the recipients. Volunteers are needed for various tasks between November 1st and Christmas.

 

UCO Wesley Center Loaves & Fishes Program

A weekly lunch offered to any UCO student. Volunteers are needed to: prepare part of a meal served to about 20 kids; set up meal at the Wesley Center and if possible stay and interact with the kids.

 

Project Transformation

This is a ministry to connect young energy and leadership, the Oklahoma conference churches and institutions, and urban congregations in a meaningful program by providing dedicated summer interns to urban churches. The mission is: “To meet the evolving urban needs of ministry in the United Methodist Church by utilizing the energy, leadership, and support of our college students, United Methodist institutions, and United Methodist churches. Volunteers are needed to volunteer with children at various times throughout the summer.”Visit http://www.okumc.org/ and click on conference ministries/missions.

 

Shiloh Camp Says Thank You!

Shiloh Summer Camp, a day camp specifically for at- risk, inner-city children, is one of the local missions supported by our Faith Promise dollars. The following note was received after approximately 15 New Covenant volunteers donated their time on a Saturday in April to work at Shiloh to help get it ready for the campers.
"New Covenant Volunteers, Thank you so much for all your hard work during our work day! The garden is beautiful, the basketball court is safer and we are grateful for your dedication to Shiloh!! You've blessed us more than you realize and you deserve more thanks than I can express!

Grace & Peace, Amanda Shaleen."