You are invited to attend an informative session hosted by Greater Mankato Area United Way and presented by MN Council of Churches and Exodus Lending about the impact payday lending has on individuals in our area. Payday lending is predatory by nature and hinders individual financial well-being as well as deters them from pursuing any financial future outside of paying off debt. By learning about the problem of payday lending you may be able to help people reduce their risk of falling into the cycle.

Please join us November 12 from 1-2PM through Zoom (the link and call-in number will be emailed to everyone who registers). Please feel free to invite others who may be interested in attending. Register here!

Learn more about payday lending or refer someone who needs help ending the cycle of paydaylending at Exodus Lending, a non-profit that helps Minnesotans get free of the payday lending cycle.

ECHO Food Shelf is looking for volunteers to "shop" for ECHO customers. You would be given a shopping list and use it to place items requested into a shopping cart for pickup. Head to their website to volunteer: https://www.echofoodshelf.org

Pre-meeting forum to ask questions about budget presented by the Budget Committee will be held via Zoom starting at 6:30 pm on November 8th. (Link to join meeting HERE.)

Semi-annual meeting will be held in sanctuary starting at 10:45 am. Meeting will be live-streamed for members. Materials to be posted on BLC website (blcmankato.org/council-documents). Print ballots will be available to vote on budget, RIC welcoming statement, and members of Council & boards/committees. Drive-through balloting allowed at side door from 10:45 – 11:15 am.

RSVP on the Facebook event! https://www.facebook.com/events/760523751463804

A cornerstone ministry of Centenary UMC, Holy Grounds was started by the passion of a congregation member who wanted the church to get to know its neighbors in the immediate neighborhood. What began as a small gathering of individuals over coffee has grown into a full breakfast ministry, serving 45-90 people 6-7 days a week. Holy Grounds has become an important resource in the community for relationship building, food security, and a place where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Holy Grounds provides a tangible way for us to live out the gospel call to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Holy Grounds provides free Wi-Fi, assistance with community resources, showers and basic needs related to winter gear, toiletries, and some clothing. Current needs include donations towards providing daily meals, mens/womens underwear, sleeping bags, tents/tarps, rain gear and socks. There will be a box available to drop off these items in the Narthex or you may add a monetary donation in the offering specified for Holy Grounds. If you are interested in getting involved with Holy Grounds, please contact Rev. Erica @ 507-225-6370. 

It is that time of year where we are gearing up for the 2020-2021 Energy Assistance season. Many local families and individuals find it difficult to pay their monthly energy bills. The Energy Assistance Program provides a grant for income-eligible households which can help defray some of these costs. This leaves more of the family resources available for other expenses. We can also assist households in crisis situations with disconnect notices or when they are almost out of heating fuel.

Grants are paid directly to the vendor on their behalf. Households can request an application by calling MVAC at (507) 345-6822 or (800) 767-7139 or by downloading it from our website at mnvac.org. The deadline to apply is May 31 st , 2021.

Read more about income requirements by clicking HERE.

To maintain social distancing and to include our congregation members watching at home, this year the candles will be pre-lit before service begins. If you'd like us to light a candle for your friends and family who have passed, please fill out this form by noon on October 29: https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/AllSaintsForm

Their names will be included in the pre-service slide show online and in the sanctuary.

On November 1st, Bethlehem will be offering a flu shot clinic in Grounds for Joy from 9am to 11am (or until all are served). Please bring your insurance card, though not having insurance won't disallow you from getting a vaccine. Injectable vaccines for ages 3+, high-dosage injectable vaccine for 65+, and vaccines for those with egg allergies all available.

Please line up outside door 3 for flu shots. If you come before service, you can exit into the narthex and proceed to the sanctuary. If you choose to receive your flu shot after service, please exit the door indicated by your seat in the sanctuary, then re-enter the building at door 3, maintaining proper social distancing. Thank you!

We believe God has blessed each of us with varied talents, precious time, and abundant treasures. We challenge our members, friends, and community to share in God’s grace through giving. We enjoy deep, satisfying relationships with God’s people and community, enabled by the gifts received from our members. By the end of October, you’ll receive a letter and a pledge card in the mail. We ask you to prayerfully consider contributing to the church. Give joyfully and purposefully. Your pledge card helps us plan the budget for the upcoming year. Please complete it by November 8th.

If you’d like to mark it off your to-do list now, you can fill out the Pledge Card online at blcmankato.org/online-pledge-form

The ideal method in terms of fees and planning would be a donation given through bank account transfer on a recurring basis. This is our strong preference as it helps us wisely and accurately forecast budgets. We ask you to consider making your donations automatic. Learn more about that here: blcmankato.org/giving.