The World Parish
". . . you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1.8b
"The world is my parish." –John Wesley
For First United Methodist Church of Miami, "Jerusalem" is Miami. The church strives to be the body of Christ in Miami. Also, in response to Jesus’ statement, FUMC of Miami seeks to witness "to the ends of the earth."
There are many systems in place to do this. Here are some of them.
Regular Mission Giving
Many members designate part of their regular Sunday morning tithes and offerings to go to Missions. This money is "designated funds" that cannot be used for general budget needs. There also is a special Missions Envelope every fourth Sunday for the same purpose.
Support of Specific Missionaries
The FUMC Miami also supports a missionary couple in Africa and a Community Worker in Orlando, Florida. Support for missionaries comes from the Regular Mission Giving funds, UMCOR monies specified for a particular mission project, special gifts by individuals, and an annuity left for that purpose by a deceased member.
UMCOR
Funds for specific projects are given through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR provides opportunities for the project an individual may want to support, for example Rice for Haiti or Mosquito Nets for equatorial Africa. It also makes special appeals when disaster occurs, such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods. Every cent given for projects through UMCOR goes to the designated project. No administrative, advertizing, or other costs are deducted from the gift.
The Florida United Methodist Children's Home
The Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church supports a home for orphans and needy children in Enterprise, Florida. FUMC Miami supports the work of the Children’s Home. A special Children’s Home offering envelope is provided every fifth Sunday.
Other Opportunities
From time to time additional opportunities are given for special Mission work, for example Native American Sunday. The church also supports the General Board of Global Ministries through contributions to the denomination’s World Service offering.
You are invited to contribute to these mission efforts, either online, in the Sunday morning offering, or by mailing a check to FUMC of Miami, 400 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami FL 33132.
