Missions Ministry Annual Report 2025

It is with great pride that I am able to write this report as chair of the Missions Ministry. I have had the pleasure of working with an incredible, dedicated, and hard-working group of women this year. They were: Deanne Bellinger, Dolores Charron, June Fleischmann, Kris Collins, Pat Meyers, Sandy Pardi, Tara Santsaver, Cyndy Stone, and, of course, Pastor Kelly.

The Missions Ministry officially came together in January for a lovely luncheon and to begin brainstorming for a full year ahead. At that time, we mapped out the year with goals, new ideas, collections, recognitions, projects, and assistance in a variety of other church functions and services. This past year, we were quite busy with all of the following projects.

EVENTS:

1. “Snowday at Oldtown” Frosty, the Movie was shown with trivia about the movie played ahead of time. Popcorn and hot chocolate were served to everyone. Then an indoor snowball fight occurred in the meeting room. Pat Meyer won the award for dodging the most snowballs. Fun was had by all.
2. “Teddy Bear Picnic” Throughout Lent, we collected stuffed teddy bears to donate to Police, Fire, Hospice, and Seniors to bring comfort. A total of 205 bears were collected. To celebrate, we had an indoor picnic with food supplied by the Missions members.

RAFFLES:

1. Valentine’s Baskets were filled to the brim with lots of goodies. All items were donated, and all proceeds went to the Heart Association.
2. Easter Baskets were also filled to the top with goodies. All of those proceeds went to the Food Pantry. Thank you Sandy Pardi for organizing the whole project.

COLLECTIONS:

1. Baby items, as a representation of the Three Wise Men, bringing gifts to baby Jesus
2. Lent Project: a collection of stuffed teddy bears. A total of 205 were collected.
3. Summer collections were once again devoted to the Food Pantry. An assortment of foods was assigned each week, as we sought to keep the pantry stocked.
4. Undie Sundays were continued in 2025. There were four Sundays on which we collected men’s, women’s, and children’s undies. These were donated to schools, shelters, the homeless, and nursing homes.
5. Thanksgiving Boxes were assembled, with the congregation donating food items and Missions providing gift cards for the turkeys. A total of 18 boxes were assembled and distributed to those facing tough times this season.
6. Stockings for the Homeless were once again assembled as our Advent Project. As usual, we requested donations from the congregation. However, as a result of two very generous donors, everything was supplied, and we were able to give the congregation Christmas 2025 off. The two donors were our newest church member and a friend of one of the Missions members. Also, as a result, we
   were able to double the number of stockings given this year.

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE GIVEN

1. The Oldtown Fair: Not only did all members of the Missions Ministry work the fair, but all Raffle Basket goods were donated by the Mission Ministry or a Missions member. ALL proceeds went to the Fair totals.
2. Food Wagons and Carts: Missions purchased two collapsible wagons and two folding food carts to assist people using the Food Pantry.
3. Showers/Weddings: The Missions assisted Hospitality in the Wedding Shower and Wedding for Ed Clavette and Michelle Langford. Light assistance was also given for the Baby Shower for little John Russo.

AND AFTER ALL THAT…

The Missions Ministry worked a full year at the Thrift Shop. Two rooms were added to the first room that opened in September 2024. Donations were generously given, and all proceeds have either gone to supplies for running the shop, to the General Budget, or to the Missions Budget, to, in turn, give back out. Many thanks to Ed Clavette for his sharing of goods and giving up two more rooms. The Mission members have worked tirelessly to make this project work, and it is working. Many, many thanks to Kris Collins, who manages the running of the shop, and to Pat Meyer for her prayers and enthusiasm for the success of it. We are all very proud of it.

It has been a personal gratifying year to see so much accomplished. But none of this would have been possible without the rest of the committee…and of course every person in this beautiful and giving church. Many heartfelt thanks to the ideas and donations to the entire congregation for ‘never questioning… and ALWAYS giving’.

Respectfully submitted,
Cindi Barkley, CHAIR
for the Missions Ministry