They are Pretty, Intelligent, Nice, and Knowledgeable elementary students making a difference where they are. They are mentored, helped with academics, and encouraged by an ecumenical group of women in Gainesville.
Mentors include Rev. Geraldine W. McClellan, Rev. Mary Mitchell, Rev. LaShon Young, Rev. Winter Brown, and Ms. Yolanda Seabrooks.
In 2017, the General Board of Church and Society gave a Peace with Justice grant of $5,000 to Allendale UMC of St. Petersburg for a project focused on shutting down the school-to-prison pipeline. That amount came from the half of the offering that is shared with GBCS to be given to local churches around the world by grants.
Your gifts on Peace with Justice Sunday enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs.
The other half stays in the Conference each year when the offering is received.
They promote and cultivate girls to value who they are, their gifts and talents, and to speak truth to power. Their mission is to enable the girls to take responsibility for their lives and to speak out on issues. They are learning how to restore community through effective non-violent communication as part of the UMC Peace with Justice initiative.
Their goals are to meet educational needs, reduce bullying, and have non-violent communication. This was accomplished with resources, field trips, and celebrations during the school year.
They participated in such activities as the Martin Luther King parade and Black History Month. They learned to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and they have a bullying song they sing written by a retired teacher, Mrs. Angela Terrell.
June 7 was Peace with Justice Sunday this year in the United Methodist Church, although it can be celebrated at any time the local churches find it convenient. A special offering is taken to make difference in the lives of children in Florida. It is a life-changing opportunity.
The Florida Conference Creation Care task force also received a Peace with Justice grant for $500. The money was used to purchase 54 double-walled metal cups with a plastic and foam-free logo, 100 buttons, and 500 stickers with the same logo.
This was to promote the plastic and foam-free resolution that passed last year at the Annual Conference and also to expand Creation Care ministries in the local church.
The Peace With Justice Sunday offering makes a difference in the lives of people you know.
excerpt from a story by Alma B. Manney, Peace with Justice Coordinator, Florida Annual Conference.
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, Peace with Justice Sunday enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs. The special offering benefits peace with justice ministries in the annual conference and through the General Board of Church and Society.
When you give generously on Peace with Justice Sunday, you give The United Methodist Church a voice in advocating for global peace and justice. Give now.
