This Tomsk newspaper at right celebrates the opening of the dental clinic for or-phans and poor families. Billy Smoot and George Brigman watch as the head of the dental college exam-ines a child from Orphanage No. 4. The Tomsk govern-ment expressed their grati-tude for the partnership with the Texas Conference United Methodist Church.

According to team leader George Brigman, “God has really opened doors for us in Tomsk, Russia! The op-portunities to make a differ-ence in the lives of the or-phans are increasing. We have achieved success with

the dental clinic and now are working on a Transition

Center for the children leaving the orphanage at the age of 16. We have nearly completed the expansion of the Tomsk UMC.”

During the last weeks in July 2010, Marvin UMC will re-turn to Russia to make a difference in the lives of the

The Russia Christmas Market will begin at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 8 in Pirtle Hall. Hand-carved treasures including nativities, angels, matruskas (nesting dolls) and Santas will be avail-able. Prices start at $15. Pro-ceeds benefit the Russia Chil-dren’s Hope Fund.

Visit Russia

Russia Christmas market

HEARTS AND HANDS V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 9 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Help our military 2

Visit with Santa 2

Menders in Lott 3

Marvin Missions receives award

3

Christmas is coming

3

Homeless for a night

4

F I N D O U T M O R E

• For more in-formation about any-thing you see in this news-letter, visit the Missions pages on Marvin’s web site (www.mumc family.org/ministry/missions).

A N E W S L E T T E R

A B O U T M I S S I O N S

A T M A R V I N

U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T

C H U R C H

Tomsk orphans and Tomsk UMC. Tentative dates are July 12–26. We need you! Mission opportunities in-clude a Christian shepherd-ing program for younger children, a Christian guid-ance program for older chil-dren leaving or just out of the orphanage and a con-struction team to work on the Tomsk UMC and the new Transition Center.

If you are interested in next summer’s trip, please con-tact George Brigman (geobrig@yahoo.com or 903.520.3050) immediately because airfare needs to be purchased while the fares are lower.

P A G E 2

We’re collecting:

• Signed Christmas

cards

• Snacks

• Washcloths

• Spiritual

encouragement

items

Military Care

Visit with Santa

Bethesda Health Clinic day The Fall Bethesda Clinic

Day was another great success. Thirty volun-teers helped provide medical and dental care for patients.

Another group of volunteers provided a foot-

washing ministry while patients waited to be seen.

A special thanks to our doctors and dentists who participated in our fall mission day: Dr. Eric Smith, Dr. Ralph Turner, Dr. David Nichols and Dr. Will Parks.

The Marvin Winter Clinic Day is set for Saturday, Jan. 9. Call Melissa if you would like to volunteer!

sions Ministry with the proceeds from visits bene-fiting “Give Kids a Smile Day” Feb.5. This year, Santa’s mission has be-come larger and all money will benefit more chil-dren’s smiles than ever! St. Paul Children’s Dental Clinic is now a faith-based clinic that is completely under the under the um-

For the past five years, Santa has visited homes, busi-nesses, parties

and schools bringing smiles and joy. Santa is a part of the Marvin Mis-

brella of the St. Paul Chil-dren’s Foundation.

Santa’s scheduler (Mary Gammell) can be reached at 903.561.7119. Home visits begin at $50 for 30 minutes and rates for school parties and busi-ness parties are negotia-ble. Dates in December fill up quickly, so be sure to reserve your visit NOW!

collecting signed Christ-mas cards, snacks, wash-cloths and spiritual en-couragement items to include in the Christmas packages. Just bring your donations to the Wel-come Center.

If you have a family mem-

ber serving our country, it’s not too late to add them to our list. Please send their current mailing address to Melissa Brig-man. Also, keep us posted if someone completes their tour of duty over-seas.

The Military Care Com-mittee is preparing for their Christmas mailing to service men and women. Our goal is to show these brave soldiers our support and keep them in our daily prayers.

Through Nov. 8, we are

H E A R T S A N D H A N D S

Flu shot anyone? Mitzie Avera prepares syringes for use in the clinic.

A Lott of work, a Lott of fun P A G E 3 V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 9

Thirty-plus Marvin Menders went to Lott, Texas, last month, where they spent a long weekend working on a century-old church. Visit the Menders photo album on the church’s web site for more pictures.

St. Paul’s grounds) during the two weeks the store will be open (Dec. 7–11 and Dec. 14–18).

To volunteer to work in the store or to help with decorat-ing Santa’s house before the event, contact Melissa Brig-man.

ADOPT A METHODIST HOME FOSTER CHILD

For the sixth year, Marvin will

BE AN ELF AT SANTA’S SECRET WORSHOP

Marvin will host a Christmas store for the clients of the St. Paul Children’s Foundation in December. Families will be able to select new items to use as Christmas presents for immediate family members.

Individuals and families will have opportunities to “work” in the store (located on the

host a Christmas party for the Methodist Home foster chil-dren and their families in East Texas.

We need people to purchase wish list items and help with the party set for 10 a.m. Sat-urday, Dec. 12.

For more information, contact Melissa Brigman.

Once again, our church has been awarded the Global Mis-sions Partner designation, a prestigious national recogni-

tion given to churches who exemplify Christ's call to reach out in service and go “the second mile” in missions.

For over a decade, Marvin Church has been recognized as one of the leading mission churches in the denomination.

Marvin receives national recognition

Christmas is coming

2 0 1 0 M I S S I O N D A T E S Jan. 9—Winter Bethesda Clinic Day

Jan. 14-17—Menders MLK Weekend Project

Feb. 5—Give Kids A Smile Day

Feb. 27—One Great Day of Service

March 26—Texas Mission of Mercy Volunteer Dinner

March 27—Texas Mission of Mercy

June 18-26—Mission Week

DIRECT OR OF MISS IONS:

MELISSA BRIGMAN MBRIGM AN@ MARVINUMC.CO M

903.592.7396

Bits and pieces Communion offering

Our November communion offering will be for Mercy Ships. Following the exam-ple of Jesus, Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through the use of the word’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, the Africa Mercy. Please give generously!

Christmas in the Neighborhood

PATH is hosting their annual drive to match families in need with sponsors who can provide Christmas gifts and Christmas joy this season! To volunteer, contact Becky Duncan (903.597.4044 or becky@tylerpath.org).

One Night Without a Home

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be homeless, you won’t want to miss One Night Without a Home. The event is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, to 6 a.m. Nov. 18, in Bergfeld Park. Cost is $15, which includes an event T shirt and meals. Registration is open until Nov. 13. Contact PATH to get involved (903.597.4044 or www.tylerpath.org).

We’re on the Web! www.mumcfamily.

com/ministry/ missions

P A G E 4

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 568

Tyler, TX

M A R V I NM A R V I NM A R V I N UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

300 West Erwin Tyler, TX 75702

Address Service Requested