Community Ministries
Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity for people all across the nation to focus attention on children and youth in foster care. In honor of Foster Care Month, Frazer’s ONEfamily ministry hosted a breakfast at the Montgomery County Department of Human Resources for the caseworkers who deal with foster care on a daily basis. Some of Frazer’s foster moms served the more than 50 workers who attended the breakfast. The workers were also given bible verse cards of encouragement to keep at their desks. Be sure to attend a church service at Frazer this Sunday, May 22 to hear personal testimony from two DHR workers who help place children in loving homes everyday.
Frazer’s Roll Up Your Sleeves ministry continues to change lives for the better! Earlier this spring 8 members of this ministry answered the call to help a disabled man in West Montgomery. This gentleman, David, is an amputee who shares a house with his brother and had no way of wheeling his chair outside. After working all day, the men called David to come out and give his new wheelchair ramp a try. Here’s the story from that point as told by one of the Frazer volunteers who helped build the ramp, Bill Pace:
“After we finished, we knocked on the door and told David he could come try out the ramp, which he was anxious to do. He rolled out in his wheelchair with a little help from a caregiver. He and his caregiver both expressed several times how thankful they were to now have a ramp and how much difference it would make.
As we were picking up the last of our tools, we realized just how much having a wheelchair ramp meant to David. He was talking to someone on his cell phone and I overheard him saying, “Guess where I am. I’m outside in the sunshine!” I think it was Bob who said he heard David say he had not been outside since November! Before we left, he gave us a warm hand shake and/or a hug. He was also telling us, “God bless you”. What a kind, appreciative guy! It was very rewarding to us to see and hear his reaction to having a wheelchair ramp that would provide him a little more freedom. That day we were blessed to be a part of this ministry!”
UMC General Conference
Frazer’s incoming senior pastor, Dr. Larry Bryars is in Portland, Oregon where he is actively involved in the UMC General Conference. Frazer’s Men’s Life and Adult Education Minister Charles Wise just arrived at the conference as well. Charles says the controversial news out of the conference isn’t prominent, nor is it overwhelming the good work being done. Several leaders from the Alabama-West Florida Conference for the UMC are attending the general conference. Speakers from all around the world are sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Dr. Bryars will deliver his first sermon as Frazer’s new senior pastor Sunday, June 26.
Women’s Ministry
Frazer’s Women’s Ministry is preparing for what promises to be a deeply meaningful conference June 10-11. Author and speaker Kasey Van Norman is coming to Frazer to share her story of experiencing God’s grace in the midst of extreme difficulty. A praise team will lead those attending in worship before each session and lunch will be served Saturday to those who register by June 5. Frazer’s Women’s Ministry leader Susan Fisher and conference volunteer/praise team leader Melinda Smith recently shared this exciting news on WSFA! Don’t delay—signing up is easy, simply go to frazer.church/belong.
Frazer Student Ministry
Frazer’s student ministry celebrated their graduating seniors on the church’s recent Senior Sunday. Students representing several schools in Central Alabama walked to the front of both the Sanctuary and Wesley Hall, allowing the Frazer family to congratulate them and pray over them. The student ministry works to keep our youth in the word and in life groups, so when they leave for college they have a solid foundation and a strong understanding of who they are in Christ! We celebrate all that’s ahead for this outstanding class of 2016. Many thanks to volunteer photographer Allison Kingry for catching some great images.
See more at: https://frazerumc.smugmug.com/Student-ministry/Senior-Sunday-2016/
Charitable Trust Fund — Scholarships & Ministry Support
More than 50 individuals and 16 ministry areas received support and scholarships through Frazer’s Charitable Trust Fund. Your giving to this fund allows many people to complete or further their education and ministries to expand and reach numerous lives with the love of Christ. The Charitable Trust 2015 distributions totaled $603,000, including close to $50,000 in scholarships to individuals.
Some of the recipients include:
Student Scholarship/Interest-Free Loan Support
Frazer Missionary Support
Medical Outreach Ministries
King’s Ranch
In Christ’s Way
TurnAbout Ministry
Camp Scholarships
Frazer Christmas Store
Adoption Support
Fishin’ Mission
Disaster Relief
Hands & Feet
MARC Christmas Party
Leadership Training
Building Improvements
Website Development
More than 50 individuals are able to complete or further their education with the help of scholarship dollars provided by families over the years. Some of the funds are set up in memory of loved ones, others are from active members of Frazer. Here are the funds providing tuition dollars and HOPE:
Mark & Kay Dierlam Interest-free Educational Loan Fund
Kim Pannone Scholarship Fund
Jack & E’Wanna Thompson Scholarship Fund
John Ed Mathison Scholarship Fund
Charles Holston Scholarship Fund
Blaine Elliott Scholarship Fund
Richard Traywick General Scholarship Fund (GSF)
Gene Thrailkill GSF
Jinks Taylor GSF
Ryan Prince GSF
John Morgan GSF
Brother Si Mathison GSF
Ralf Hamill Lane & Mildred Lane GSF
Hester A. Garrett
Nida Fox GSF
Mel Carr Sr. GSF
Doug Braswell GSF
Betty Andrews GSF
Please consider making a donation to the Charitable Trust Fund, your dollars will multiply in this fund and the blessings provided through your giving will be immeasurable. Contact Rusty Taylor at rusty@frazerumc.org.
This is just some of the Breaking Good News happening in our Frazer Family! Stay tuned for more details of how God is moving through Frazer UMC.