Featured Missions that are being supported with donations for that month

January -- Funding from the United Methodist Human Relations Day offering supports: more than 30 church-based community developers who work in racial- and ethnic-minority communities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico; social justice organizations related to UM Voluntary Service; and Christ-centered Youth Offender Rehabilitation projects for teenagers. This is one of six special UM offerings that we support each year. Our local January Mission of the Month is HOPE NOW, Inc. which provides assistance with housing, utilities, medical expenses, transportation, and holiday food baskets for Elkhorn area households in a temporary financial bind. Over 40 households received assistance in 2004.

February - Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County was chartered in 1998, and has built over eight houses to date in Lake Como, Delavan, and Pell Lake. Families have interest-free mortgages and also use 'sweat equity' - hours of work alongside many volunteers working on their new home - to help pay for their Habitat home.

March - One Great Hour of Sharing provides the administrative funds for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). This means UMCOR has the basic resources to assist refugees and displaced persons; to address the root causes of hunger; and to respond to disasters around the world and close to home. This is one of six special UM offerings that we support each year.

April - Twin Oaks Shelter for the Homeless is part of Community Action, Inc. and provides emergency shelter (up to 90 days) for residents of Walworth County. The shelter is located in a former motel and has 12 rooms, a community kitchen, laundry area, resource library, and play area. About 60 households receive assistance each year.

May - In addition to the grocery receipt program that helps our Bethel Youth throughout the year, we also make the youth our mission focus in May. This mission offering helps cover part of the costs for trips and activities for the youth, and is also used to provide scholarships for youth who attend Wisconsin Conference Summer camps or mission trips.

June - Peace with Justice is one of the six special United Methodist offerings we support during the year. By funding education, advocacy, and other ministries for reconciliation and restorative justice through the General Board of Church and Society and our Wisconsin Conference, 50% of the offering is used in Wisconsin, and 50% is used beyond our conference. United Methodist Children's Services of Wisconsin (UMCS), is located in Milwaukee and focuses on enabling low-income, single female-headed families to achieve economic self-sufficiency, break the cycles of poverty and abuse, and inspire the children to set goals for themselves. The UMCS Transitional Living Program, parenting classes, on- site licensed childcare center, and Family Resource Center (emergency food pantry and clothing bank) help over 4,000 families each year.

July - Family Building Blocks (the former Family Resource Center of Elkhorn) is part of Community Action, Inc. and based at 1545 Hobb Dr. in
Delavan. Family Building Blocks strengthens families through education, information, and support, with programming for families and parents.

August - Native American Ministries is one of the six special United Methodist offerings we support each year. It funds outreach ministry in our Wisconsin Conference and across the UM connection, provides scholarships, and helps start new ministry programs for Native Americans.

September - The Association for the Prevention of Family Violence (APFV) is located in Elkhorn and provides free and confidential services to victims of domestic violence. Family violence can occur in emotional or verbal abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.

October - World Communion is one of the six special United Methodist offerings that we support each year. Through this offering we help provide: Ethnic Scholarships for undergraduate students; Crusade Scholarships for international and U.S. racial- and ethnic-minority students; and scholarships for racial- and ethnic-minority persons seeking second careers in career-related vocations. The Elkhorn Area CROP Walk is held during the month of October. Our church's team of walkers raise awareness of hunger issues in our community and around the world, and also raise money for programs that fight hunger locally and globally. 25% of the funds raised stay in our community and are used by the Elkhorn Area Food Pantry.

November - The United Methodist Students offering equips men and women to serve their churches and communities by providing: scholarships to undergraduates attending UM-related schools; student loans for undergrads and grad students; and Wisconsin Conference merit scholarships. This is one of six special United Methodist offerings that we support each year.

December - Each December we have the opportunity to be gift givers for the children (age 11 and younger) of one of our Circuit partners, La Resurrección UMC in Lake Geneva. In addition to these Christmas gifts we can also support the on-going ministries of this congregation through financial gifts.