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Another worthwhile institution for folks who want to be hands-on helping those who have survived a disaster is UMCOR. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own. Volunteers are trained as Disaster Responders. To find out how to become an UMCOR volunteer go to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/volunteer/

Submitted by Greg Maslak

The Bridlewood Moms small group decided to support the Women’s Ministry service project by purchasing one complete set of supplies for a 2012 graduate of Methodist Children’s Home including a Wal-Mart gift card. In addition, they are looking into several other opportunities that they want to do in the future! Thanks, ladies, for making a difference!

With Easter quickly coming upon us, the Trietsch staff are organizing a “Clutter Cleanup Day” for staff and volunteers to come together in a highly organized fashion to make our facilities look neat and orderly in time for that special day.

On Friday, March 30th, we will provide free pizza and coke for our staff and volunteers (office kitchen) and then the plan will be for all participants to head for their assigned area of the church, and to dispose of trash, straighten up and reorganize shelves, put things where they belong and generally try to look at our church facilities through the eyes of a visitor.

in 2010, My mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor. During the next year of her life, we were able to watch my mom worry about all her children. Her friends stepped up to make sure that we were all taken care of. My friends made sure that I had support, food, and after she had died, gave us Six Flags Season passes for 2012 to make sure that I had time to quality time to spend with my children and family. This last year was such a wonderful reminder of how the Lord provides and how the simply things that friends provide make a wonderful memory and support in your day to day life.

Submitted by Michele Rodgers

We have spent much time over the last few weeks studying the early church in Acts 1-12. They spent time in community learning exactly what Jesus meant by the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus said “Go.” The early church discovered what this meant; not right away but eventually they did “Go.” For them, it meant leaving the comfort of their home and sharing the message of Jesus. What does go mean to you? “Go” can mean so many places: go next door, go across the street, go to CCA, go to another community, even go to another country. Where have you decided to “go?”

During my cancer treatment, 21 yrs ago, my Mom was ever present and always taking care of me.
I was a single Mom of two teenagers when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My work was very demanding and I was expected to work every day that I possibly could. That being said, my Mom filled in for me in so many ways with the kids, driving me to and from treatments and taking care of my home.
One particular day, I was sent to the hospital for emergency surgery and when Mom let her boss know that she was leaving to take care of me, he told her she could not leave. She also had a very demanding and complicated job. Mom, being my Mom, did what she knew was right and left to take care of me under the threat of losing her job. Good news is that she did not lose her job and remained with the company until her retirement!
Mom never compromised her belief that family always came way before work. She is a shining example of what a Godly Mother is!

Submitted by Retha Welch

I had a rough time when I was a teenager. I was on my own a lot, and I was working full-time while still in school. One year I spent months saving my money because I wanted to get my hair colored by the fancy stylist who took care of my friends’ hair. It was winter in Iowa, and the temperature was close to zero the day of my appointment. When I got there the stylist was shocked to see that I was not wearing a coat! She had only met me briefly on previous occasions when I accompanied my friends, but she took this very seriously! When I explained to her that I didn’t have a coat, she quickly realized that I, being a teenager and making teenage decisions, had elected to get my hair done rather than buy a sensible item like a coat. She offered to do my hair for free, but I turned her down. I had saved up for quite some time to get my hair done, and I was ready to pay! Afterward, we ended up talking for an extra hour about our families, our lives, etc. She stopped me when I was getting ready to leave and handed me a beautiful, expensive yellow coat that had been hanging on the wall. She explained that someone had left the coat there and I should take it with me. I thanked her and turned her down again because I was sure someone would come back to get that gorgeous, pricey coat. I left, and a week later she called and asked me to come back to the salon. The coat was still there, and she wanted me to have it. I took it that time and stayed warm the rest of the season. Years later I went back to that salon (older and wiser) and saw a picture of the stylist with her family. They were all bundled up in a Christmas photo, and the stylist was wearing the yellow coat. In my own naivete, I hadn’t realized then that she was literally giving me the coat off her back! I have never forgotten that gift and I never will.

Submitted by Karen Williams

After my husband lost his job in January 2009, we were in a state of shock, but our church rally around us in so many ways. One of the sweetest ways, was a call I got to the church office, there was a card there for us, it gave us a Valentine’s meal at Central Market and a date night was made. No one ever claimed the giver of the date night, but we felt love, bigger than Valentine’s Day.

Submitted by Shelley Craig

My husband,daughters (4 and 2 years old) and I had just moved to Norman, OK. I was 4 months pregnant. The first Sunday in town, we visited the First Presbyterian Church. The following week, a crisis hit our family. I was hospitalized and had a miscarriage. We didn’t know anyone! One of the wives of an employee of Chris graciously took care of the girls but we still felt very alone. The hospital forms I completed asked for “church home” and “religion.” Although I said “Christian,” I couldn’t complete the “church home” question. The admission clerk delved further and I admitted we had only lived here 10 days and had visited only one church. I was only in the hospital a brief time. The first night home, there was a knock on the door. Standing there were two women with enough dinner to feed an army! The hospital administrator had called First Presbyterian and they acted. Their kindness and hospitality at a difficult time was greatly needed and appreciated. And…those 2 ladies became some of my closest friends in Norman. Who has shared selflessly with you?

Submitted by Denise Robinson

I know a world changer.
He teaches second grade Sunday School children. He has taught second grade Sunday School at Trietsch for as long as I can remember. He doesn’t do it for reconnection or fame. He hardly ever misses a Sunday and the kids love him. I asked him one time why he taught second grade Sunday school, something that seems like torture to me.
He said “Because I’m black and I may be the very first black man these kids meet and I want it to be a positive experience.”
Joseph Moore has touched the lives of thousands of Trietsch second graders over the years and is changing the world one kid at a time.

Submitted by David Taylor