Pancake Syrup (in plastic containers)
Apple Sauce (in plastic jars)
Spaghetti Sauce (in plastic jars or cans)
Pancake Mix
Boxed stuffing
Canned Chili
Chunky Soups (like sirloin burger)
Chicken noodle soup
Elbow macaroni (no whole wheat or multi grain please)
Canned Ravioli
1 lb bags of white rice
Chunky soups (like chicken pot pie)
Chunky soups (like chicken pot pie)
Cream of chicken soup
Boxed mashed potatoes
Canned Beef Stew
Jelly (in plastic jars)
Tuna fish in cans or pouches
Mac and Cheese
Diced Tomatoes
Canned soups
Canned vegetables
Cream of mushroom soup
Canned meals (like spaghetti-o’s, beefaroni)
Pasta Sauces (Canned)
Peanut Butter
Rice Sides
Canned fruit
Canned chicken
We have the unique opportunity to have the only FREE Respite / Social program for individuals (whom we call our “friends”) with Dementia and early stages of Alzheimer’s and their Caregivers in Chautauqua County. This faith-based program was started in Westfield in 2018 with the help of the Western NY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (who also provides our training). The Westfield Alzheimer Social Program, held at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield, is intended to provide individuals suffering with Dementia and early stages of Alzheimer’s an opportunity to partake in a social, supportive, and secure environment while giving Caregivers the temporary relief they need.
It is vital for Caregivers to maintain an adequate level of self-care and our respite program allows them to take a break from their daily care giving roles. Caregiving can be physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting. Prioritizing your own well-being is crucial for both your own health and your effectiveness as a caregiver. We offer the opportunity for Caregivers to take time for themselves. Take a walk, have coffee with a friend, a round of golf, stop at the library, appointment for some pampering or window shop along our main street. We offer a secure and safe environment for their loved ones. Caregivers are welcome to stay and join in to see our program if there is an anxiety of separation.
The volunteers provide physical, emotional, and social support for our “friends” and caregivers during the time that they are at the program. While at our program, our “friends” (and caregivers) are able to participate in a stress-free environment that has all types of activities. They do arts and crafts, games, music (even get to enjoy our preschool students joining them for songs!). Every month, they are provided with a wonderful hot meal that is provided free of charge by members of the community.
This program is housed at the First United Method Church of Westfield, but is staffed by trained and vetted volunteers from many of our local churches all around the community. These volunteers receive training and commit to helping with our Community One-on-One care program.
This program is held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield (101 E Main St, Westfield). We are handicap accessible and all of our activities are on one floor. For more information on volunteering, proving a meal or for respite services, please contact Gail Boardway at (716)867-2319 or westfieldrespite@gmail.com.
Editor’s note: The following letter was emailed to United Methodists of Upper New York on Wednesday, October 2 about disaster response following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene on behalf of Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, Disaster Response Coordinator.
Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,
We are heartbroken to witness the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene to communities across our United Methodist Connection.
We’re closely monitoring updates from UMCOR and the affected conferences, and we want to reassure you that The United Methodist Church is actively responding with UMCOR’s support. Churches in the impacted conferences are assembling UMCOR Relief Kits, providing meals, sheltering, and showering services, and preparing their Early Response Teams for deployment. God’s love is evident in the quick actions, prayers, and generosity of many.
Already, many of you have reached out wondering what we can do as United Methodists of Upper New York to assist in the relief efforts. Here are four ways you can help during this challenging time:
PRAY: Please pray for those impacted by the hurricane and for the first responders who are involved in search and rescue efforts.
DONATE: The most effective way we can make a difference is through a generous financial contribution. Consider donating to UMCOR US Disaster Response or visit the website of one of the impacted conferences to donate directly to a specific response.
PAUSE: Please do not self-deploy or send product donations directly to the disaster area. We are connected to the affected communities through our United Methodist Connection, and we will be notified if there are specific needs that we can help with. Unsolicited product donations and help can overwhelm an already chaotic situation. The Early Response Teams in Upper New York will be invited to assist through UMCOR when additional help is needed.
PREPARE: To respond safely and effectively, when needed, consider attending one of our upcoming disaster-response trainings. We are welcoming UMCOR Consultant, Pam Garrison, to our Conference on November 2 and January 25 to lead a Connecting Neighbors Training. Sign up for one of the sessions here.
May we continue to be instruments of God’s peace, sharing compassion and kindness to our neighbors near and far.
Together in community,
Kristina Clark
Associate Director of Missional Excellence
Disaster Response Coordinator
The Pink Envelope fund was started as a mission project of the church to Menstrual Hygiene Products, diapers and formula to women in the community.
The Blue Bag fund was another mission project of the church to help food pantry clients with basics not covered by SNAP. They include: soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, laundry soap, cleaning solutions and so much more.
Both of these programs rely heavily on donations from individuals and the community.
Many thanks to those that have made these projects possible. If you are interested in helping out with either of the projects, please contact the church.
Rev. Dr. Nicholas Perry & Fire Chief Christopher Reese
The First United Methodist Church of Westfield did something a little different this year for Father’s Day (June 2022). As a way of remembering and honoring or fathers (and others in the community), we offered “Fire Hydrant’s” for people to give in honor of or in memory of anyone they choose. We were able to raise $330 for the Westfield Fire Department. Many thanks to all that participated.
Reverse Advent Calendar!
The First United Methodist Church of Westfield’s Mission and Outreach team started a project on December 1, 2019. It was the Reverse Advent Calendar project. The idea behind the project was to give an item every day of Advent that would go to the Westfield Community Food Pantry. It encouraged people to put the item listed for that day in a box or bag and at the end of advent, you had 24 plus items for the food pantry. After getting a list of items needed from the Food Pantry (many items not available from the Food Bank), they had 3 styles of calendars printed: one that was like a calendar, one that was like a Bingo card and one that was a list. The church not only challenged their congregation, but the Westfield community and all Methodist Churches in the Cornerstone District.
On January 5, the First United Methodist Church of Westfield blessed the items that had been donated and following the service, many volunteers from the church and community came to help move, sort and shelve the donations (from not only the Methodist Church but also items from other area churches) to the food pantry. More than 1,500 items were donated from the Methodist Church but a total of well over 2,000 were donated to the Westfield Community Food Pantry through this project.
We would like to thank everyone involved in this project from beginning to end – those that coordinated the project, those that donated to the project and those that helped carry, sort and shelve all of those donations.
Items collected (and always needed) included: Pancake Syrup (in plastic containers); Pancake Mix; Spaghetti Sauce (in plastic jars or cans); Cream of chicken soup; Elbow macaroni (no whole wheat or multi grain please); Canned Peas; 1 lb bags of white rice; Canned Chili; Canned Corn; Chunky soups; Boxed mashed potatoes; Juice – Any Flavor (64 oz); Mac and Cheese; Jelly (in plastic jars); Toilet Paper; Canned soups; Pasta Sauces (Canned); Apple Sauce (in plastic jars); Shelf Stable Milk; Canned meals (like spaghetti-o’s; beefaroni); Canned Kidney beans; Cream of mushroom soup; Canned Ravioli; Spices (Salt, pepper…); Feminine Hygiene products; diapers; Condiments; baking items (flour, sugar…) and Laundry Soap.
Full Shelves
Red Bird Mission Shoe box
Red Bird Mission has provided ministries in the Appalachian Mountains region since 1921. Today, the need remains critical in this isolated, rural, distressed area. These shoe boxes can address the needs of Red Bird’s Health & Wellness and Community Outreach ministries
We made it to San Francisco! After 71 days, starting in New York City, the Illini 4000 team biked to San Francisco to raise both awareness and donations for cancer research and patient support services. This summer was an amazing experience that we will never forget. As a team, we were able to explore new parts of the United States, meet extremely generous individuals, form lasting friendships, and improve our cycling skills. More meaningful was hearing the stories of individuals affected by cancer. They were inspiring and always a great reminder of why we ride across the country. Thank you for supporting us throughout this process. Without your generosity this ride would not be possible. Due to your assistance, we were able to safely travel across the USA, raising over $87,000 for cancer research and patient support services and collecting 36 portraits of individuals affected by cancer.
Once again, thank you for our support. We look forward to staying in contact with you in future years.
Additionally, if you would like to keep in touch with us more frequently, feel free to follow us on:
Website: http://illini4000.org/
Facebook: Illini 4000
Twitter: Illini 4000
Sincerely,
Alison DeBruyn
Director of Supporter Relations, Illini 4000
supporterrelations@illini4000.org
Champaign, Illinois 61825
For the month of April, 2016 we focused on Africa 360. Each week in the church bulletin, we highlighted either education, medicine or agriculture. (Check our blog section [Africa 360] for the weekly insert
The Upper NY Conference has committed to the mission/initiative. As members of the United Methodist Church, we are part of a connectional church. Therefore, we are asked to contribute when we are called and are able.
The church set a goal of $500. [update – we reached $1000 – way to go!!!] (not only that – the children collected an additional $25.00+ in change to add to our total!)
