Opportunities Abound !

October 17, 2024

I LOVE THIS PHOTO! I think it accurately depicts the life of a Jesus follower. There are always opportunities! 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During October, we are holding a drive to benefit Emerge. A list of items can be found HERE. Our collection continues through Sunday October 27. This weekend, please pick up an item or two from the list above and bring it to church with you. Let’s stand with these women in need.

We are working on a church directory so you can access contact info for St James people.  Your first step is to go HERE and complete the form. We will have a paper copy you can complete starting October 6.

I received this email from AVIVA about their Holiday Gift Drive for foster children. There are several volunteer opportunities!

Hello it is almost holiday time! We appreciate your ongoing support for the Aviva Children’s Service’s Annual Holiday Gift Collection Drive and Gift Distribution Event (https://www.avivatucson.org/toy-drive/)

The Gift Collection Drive will be November 11, 2024 – December 6, 2024. Collection boxes will be available for pickup at the Aviva office (153 S. Plumer Avenue / 85719) or the boxes can be dropped at your location the 1st week of November. Send me an email if you would like drop-off so I can coordinate with you.

The Gift Distribution Event will occur on the following days, here is the schedule for when shoppers will be coming and selecting the gifts:

• 12/9/2024: setup day 8am – 4pm (need 80 volunteers)
• 12/10/2024: 8am-3pm open for shoppers / 3-5pm restocking / 5-8pm open for shoppers (need 40 volunteers)
• 12/11/2024: 8am-5pm open for shoppers (need 40 volunteers)
• 12/12/2023: 8am-3pm open for shoppers / 3-7pm break-down and cleaning the venue (need 40 volunteers)

*If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering to hand out gifts use this link to sign up and volunteer: https://bit.ly/2024HolidayVolunteer

NEXT SUNDAY October 27, we will celebrate our October birthdays and pray for our October birthday friends! Join us for cake and all the fun!

Parts of our country have been devastated by hurricanes in the last few weeks. You can read about how the United Methodist Church is responding HERE and HERE and make a contribution HERE.

United Way Days of Caring is coming up later this fall–November 1-2. This is an annual volunteer opportunity with MANY different projects to choose from. I am purposely not trying to organize a church event for this. I am encouraging you to scroll through the projects, pick one that appeals to you, and sign up and go out and BE the church that weekend! Yes, feel free to get some family members or friends to go with you! Let’s live out the words of Jesus: “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”.

Thanks for all you do to be God’s light in the world!

Pastor Richard