Souper Bowl Sunday 2023
1,002 Cans for the
Local Ecumenical Food Pantry
Team Cody and the original team, Team Henry, put their puppy dog tails together to coach MUMC to a record setting collection of 1,002 cans of soup destined for our little pantry outside our church and, for most of it, for the Pike County Ecumenical Food Pantry.
Baby Shower for Mary & Joseph
January 1, 2023
Once again, the MUMC congregation collected items for the Baby Blessings Pantry at the Dingman's Ferry United Methodist Church. Items included much needed larger sized diapers, wipes, blankets, and onsies.
Angel Tree Becomes the Teenangel Tree in 2022
After meeting with Pike County Children and Youth Services in preparation for the 2022 Angel tree (decorated with specific gift requests from local kids in foster care) the Outreach committee came back with the report that, since MUMC is willing to provide gifts matched up to individual children, the agency requested gifts for teens. They get more random donations of gifts for younger kids and asked that we target their 21 teenagers in the system. So, that's what we did. We covered the provided wish lists as well as several gift cards so the teenagers could make their own choices. Good fellowship was had as the gifts were wrapped and prepared to be handed over to Children and Youth Services.
Another Year of the "Grinch"
For the second year in a row, on December 3rd, 2022, a dramatized reading of the classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" was performed in the sanctuary with the help of the MUMC bell choir, adult choir, and youth. It coincided with events in town leading up to the tree lighting. Those in attendance commented that, "It was so fun!!"
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
This was the second year that Milford UMC hosted TriVersity's event for Transgender Day of Remembrance. TriVersity sponsors a candlelight service yearly to honor those who lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence and discrimination. This deadly violence is enacted on dozens of Trans individuals every year, many of them women of color. Sadly, the night before the service saw another deadly shooting in a LGBTQ+ night club where 5 lives were lost and 17 others were shot in Colorado Springs. Our prayer is that vigils such as this provided by TriVersity will one day negate the need for them when we all finally love our neighbors as ourselves.
Crafty Ladies Holiday Craft & Bake Sale
2022
As always, the Crafty Ladies came through with a wide array of hand made items available to shoppers November 11-13. The baked goods were endless, but tasted so good they were gone by the end of the sale. Thanks to the talent, creativity, and generosity of the Crafty Ladies, funds raised during the sale not only support programs in the church, but also within our community.
Lent Mission Project
April 3, 2022
Blessing of the Go-Bags
Michele Burrell, administrator for Pike County Children & Youth, provided the congregation with a mission moment thanking everyone for the gift of go-bags. The bags are for children who are removed from their homes with either no time to pack or nothing to pack when they must be placed in foster care. They are filled with age-appropiate personal care items like tooth brushes and hair clips, diapers, socks, onsies, teddy bears, etc. Special thanks to Nancy Heim and Rhonda Leister for their great work managing this project.
Pet Food Drive Contribution Made
March 2022
Milford UMC was excited to donate a ShopRite gift card to the pet food drive at Drew UMC in Port Jervis, NY. Pets mean so much to so many that those struggling to feed themselves will often give what they have to their pets. By being stewards of God's creation, we serve our siblings at the same time.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Sunday February 13, 2022
January 14 was the kick-off day for this years collection of soup cans for the Pike County Ecumenical Food Pantry. MUMC's Team of Henry the Quarter Back and Millie the Feline Receiver challenged us to a goal of 350 cans. It was met and passed with over 850 cans delivered to the food pantry.
Baby Shower for Mary and Joseph
Sunday January 2, 2022
A wonderful way to start 2022! Once again, our generous congregation hosted a Baby Shower for Mary and Joseph. Donations are headed to Baby Blessings Pantry at Dingman's Ferry United Methodist Church. Milford UMC is proud to support this vital ministry in our community. The world is our parish!
Angel Tree 2021
for Pike County Children and Youth
Hanging on the Angel Tree were ornaments featuring the names of local children and the gifts they wanted to receive. Church members selected an ornament, purchased the gift and delivered it to the Church. Or they purchased gift cards or made monetary donations for a "personal shopper" to purchase gifts. A crew of MUMC volunteers wrapped the gifts and they were delivered to Pike County Children and Youth Services.
Back to School Backpack Kits
Fall 2022
Milford UMC's annual Home/School Learning Kit collection provided for and distributed 60 kits to the following community partners: Pike County Children and Youth, Ecumenical Food Pantry of Pike County, and Helping Hands Food Pantry at Drew United Methodist Church in Port Jervis. Four crates of school supplies were placed on the shelves at the Pike County Ecumenical Food Pantry so that families could select specific items needed for their youngsters. One box of assorted school supplies was delivered to Baby Blessings Pantry at Dingmans Ferry United Methodist Church.
In addition to supplies donated, our congregation added $202 in the August Communion Offering for the purchase of supplies. Thanks to a generous donation from Dollar Tree in Westfall we were able to do even MORE than we planned! We hope to build on our relationship with Dollar Tree in 2023.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas Perfomance
December 19, 2021
Starring the Milford residents of Pastor Lovallo's family along with members of the choir and the bell choir chiming in, the popular story was retold and a great time was had by all.
Voted to Be A
Reconciling Ministries Congregation
December 11, 2021
The ballots were counted and the voting membership of the church supported our welcoming statement for inclusion of ALL to the full life of the church. We as a congregation are living out the Gospel. We invite everyone to the Lord’s table as equals in respect to value and in respect to rights in all aspects of church life. We have open hearts, open minds, and open doors.
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
November 20, 2021
TriVersity Center of Milford held their Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil at MUMC. TriVersity holds this event annually to help shine a light on transphobia & trans-violence and honor those who lost their lives in the face of it. MUMC was honored to host it this year.
2020-2021
Milford COVID Relief Fund Finished
With the partnership of Milford Covid Relief Fund, Pike County Covid Relief Fund, Greater Pike Community Foundation and other agencies, we helped our neighbors during the first year of the pandemic.
We dispensed gas vouchers, meal vouchers, utility bill payment assistance, help with clothing and food for dozens of families. We praise God from whom all blessings flow and are thankful for the opportunity given to us to look after each other with the love of Christ.