Rise Against Hunger

In April 2015, we held our first collaboration with Stop Hunger Now (now known as Rise Against Hunger) to package 10,000 meals that were distributed to those in need.  Since then, we have held additional events. This has become a favorite project, with all ages joining the fun.

Prayers & Squares

If you like to cut, iron, or so, this group is for you. Prayers and squares is a national interfaith group that fosters prayer-quilt ministry. The quilts our group makes go to people in our congregation recovering from health concerns and to babies who are being baptized. They have also been sent on mission trips to give to families whose homes are being repaired by the mission team. After blessing in the worship service , the quilts are tied by the congregation, one prayer for each tie. We have all day work events, three to four times a year. Call the church office for more information on the next meeting.

Wider Welcome Group

The Wider Welcome group is looking for persons who are committed to the mission of extending a wider welcome to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning , non-binary and their allies.

Wider welcome started meeting in 2014 as a discussion and Action Group that culminated in the decision to become a reconciling congregation on December 11th 2016. By an overwhelming margin, Lynnewood members voted yes! Since then, Wider Welcome has continued to share thoughtful discussions and guide the Lynnwood congregation towards a more loving welcome to all individuals who feel marginalized and unwelcome at church. What is a reconciling congregation? Visit the Reconciling Ministries Network.

Outreach

Our Outreach Committee strives to be the compassionate hands of Christ reaching out to the world in need. They lead the church in supporting Tri-valley haven, Alameda County Food Bank, Home Hospice, Open Heart Kitchen, Pleasanton Community Counseling Center , Livermore Homeless Refuge  and more. Each year we sponsor a Heifer international Dinner and at Christmas have an Alternative Giving Catalog and Giving Tree for children. Everyone can make a difference in the world by contributing to our projects through monthly giving opportunities. If you want to do even more, consider joining the Outreach Committee. Contact the church office or Linda Van Pelt for more information.

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM)

Lynnewood sponsors a variety of global and local mission projects that send members and friends out into the world for hands-on volunteer service. Through the United Methodist volunteers in mission program we’ve gone to Louisiana for hurricane relief, Haiti to help with earthquake recovery, and made many countless trips to help Californians recover from wildfires. Through UMVIM, we offer short local mission trips and long international trips. We also provide opportunities to help right here in Pleasanton on days when we create fire recovery buckets and more. People of many ages and abilities can find a project that interests them. The only requirement is a heart of compassion and hands that are willing. Contact Doug and Mary Ellen Huey for upcoming opportunities.

Bundles of Joy

The bundles of joy project started in 2008 as a Lynnewood outreach project and it has grown to see participation from many churches in the Tri valley area as well as from individuals and community groups . This is an ongoing project. Our goal has been to provide 14 bags per month 2 axis . We estimate that each bag contains $50 to $75 worth of baby care items. This project serves local families that are struggling to provide for the very basic needs of a new board . For many of these families, the items received are the only new items they will get for their newborn. The access clients are thrilled to receive these gifts and truly appreciative. We believe that babies are a blessing and that each birth should be a joyful celebration . Please help us to continue to welcome these babies into the world and show them what a caring community we are. All donations are gratefully accepted and so appreciated by the families receiving them. Donations may be left in the narthex or the church office.

Items needed for donation:

• Wipes
• Rattles
• Pacifiers
• Blankets
• Diapers (newborn – size 1)
• Hats (we usually include 2)
• Bibs (we usually include 2)
• Cloth toys or stuffed animals  Baby wash, lotion, powder, or ointment
• Newborn outfits, Pajamas and Onesies (size 0-6 months)
• Baby booties or socks (we usually include 2-3 pairs)
• Cash or Gift Cards