Ministry Spotlight: The Children's Center in Methuen
11/10/2009
A ministry of Christ United Methodist Church of Lawrence, MA
| The Children’s Center is a 134 capacity year-round program in Methuen, Massachusetts which provides quality care for children ages 4 weeks to 12 years. The Children’s Center is an ongoing ministry of Christ United Methodist Church of Lawrence, MA, and is a New England Conference Advance Special (#776). The Center operates as a non-profit and ecumenical center adhering to the Judeao-Christian ethics and traditions with multi-ethnic awareness. |  |
Open daily 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Center provides developmentally appropriate curriculum for all children at their individual learning level, and is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care. The Center’s meal program provides nutritional breakfast, lunch, and snack for all children at no additional cost to families.
Center looks to local churches to help with school bus funds
In addition to these services, the Center provides bus transportation to and from the Center as needed, without which many of the families would not be able to manage. However, in recent years, the two school buses owned by the Center had reached the end of their useful life. The buses frequently broke down and maintenance costs were rising steeply, beyond the Center’s ability to maintain them in these difficult economic times.
Rev. Gabriela Garcia, pastor of Christ UMC in Lawrence and a board member of the Center, reached out and the Center approached a number of churches for help, and Calvary Church United Methodist in Arlington, Massachusetts responded. After meeting with the Center, Calvary committed to purchasing a brand new school bus for The Children’s Center.
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Calvary Church UMC purchased a new school bus for the Children's Center. |
Calvary UMC “saints” give lasting legacy
“Over the years, many saints - in particular two of our dear departed members George and Dorothy Lucas, and Jean Chandler - have given Calvary the resources to support and enable ministries to the poor, and especially the working poor,” commented Bob Baker, the chairperson of the Lucas/Saints Fund Committee at Calvary Church. “The Children’s Center fit our focus for these funds well, and we are pleased to be able to support this important ministry for children and families.”
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The Center took delivery of this new bus just last month. “What a joy it was to receive this new bus,” stated Christine Karlis, director of the Children’s Center. “We continually thank God for the generosity of Calvary Church and all those who support our work and ministry at the Children’s Center.”
Other local churches encouraged to help
Local churches can help to defray the costs of the second bus which is needed to continue to offer the reliability and frequency of transportation needed by the families using the Center. “We believe God is working powerfully through the ministry of The Children’s Center, and investing in our children and our communities is one way that we can use the gifts we have been given to participate in that work,” said Bob Baker of Calvary Church. "We encourage other churches to join us in support of this important ministry."
Supporting the Children’s Center of Methuen
To find out more about how you can support the Children’s Center, contact directors Christine Karlis or Erica Kennedy-Cruz at 978-685-6469. Donations can be sent to New England Conference, PO Box 249, Lawrence, MA 01842-0449. Please note Advance Special 776-Children’s Center on the check.