Fern Creek Highview United Ministres

Coming Together to Make a Difference!

From Rev. Ron Loughry, Executive Director of FCHUM

FCHUM Ministries News - Volume 13 Issue 4 - Autumn 2011

As September transitions to October, as Summer gives way to Autumn, I am reminded of the writings from Ecclesiastes, “to everything there is a season”. If you are at all familiar with the mission and work of FCHUM, you know that our seasons of serving seem constant because need is constantly growing. Therefore, we must be constantly vigilant in our planning and in the use of resources entrusted to us to serve our neighbors in need. Our summer of heat and drought is not far behind us and we remember our fatigue. It is also easy for us to experience seasons of compassion-drought or giving-fatigue when we are asked every season to help provide for ever increasing need. It is understandable to tire of hearing this need preached, to tire of opening this newsletter and reading of continued need. I, too, get tired. We must, then, remember to drink deeply of God’s Grace, to remember that each act of mercy and giving, each act of providing food, each act of caring for a frail older adult, each act of equipping children to do better in school, each act preventing homelessness are acts of worship. Read more here.

St. Stephens Church Youth help FCHUM during Metro Brightside Event.

Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries, Inc. (FCHUM)

... is a not-for-profit social service agency founded in 1988 by 10 local churches in the Louisville, Kentucky area. A group of representatives from 10 different churches met and made a commitment to move beyond their denominational ties to work together to meet the needs of our community. FCHUM is currently supported by 22 churches representing 12 different denominations working together, making many significant contributions within the community on a daily basis.

FCHUM is a member of the Association of Community Ministries. The individual community ministries, who are members of the Association of Community Ministries, have made a positive difference to thousands of people's lives. As a result, the various communities around Metro Louisville provide a wonderful support system to the community.

FCHUM has around 100 volunteers who work in our programs. Our volunteers serve at all levels - from janitorial tasks to fund raising. FCHUM has been fortunate enough to receive help from various businesses and individuals in the community who want to make a difference in the lives of others. It takes the commitment of the churches, businesses, and other community organizations to help ensure that all residents of Fern Creek and Highview are able to enjoy a good quality of life. Please consider how you can be a part of contributing to our community through the FCHUM by volunteering!

Our mission is simply stated in the following italicised text: The purpose of Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries is to provide a ministry for residents of the Fern Creek and Highview areas of Metro Louisville and to improve the quality of life for residents in the community. Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries provides programs and activities which respond to the human needs of all residents in the community.

Investing to Serve: Legacy of Caring
Brick by Brick Campaign

Spring of 2006 – a ceremonial ground breaking.
Spring of 2007 – real construction begins.
Spring of 2008 – we move in!
Fall of 2009 – paid in full!
Fall of 2009 – a new beginning – Investing to Serve: Legacy of Caring
Spring of 2010 - Legacy of Caring giving more than $50,000 given since November of 2009!

bricks With the development of a $250,000 restricted fund we will be able to secure the operations of our facility in perpetuity. At that level, monthly dividends would pay the monthly costs of operating the facility, paying the utilities, and all those items involved in operating the physical plant. That way, in the future, we will just need to raise funds for operating our programs serving our neighbours. Our first year goal is $50,000. A big thank you to the Fern Creek Traditional High School Alumni Assoc. for a $1,000 gift to kick off the campaign! Also a big thanks to the Fern Creek/Mt. Washington Papa John’s Pizza restaurant & the Roalofs Family for underwriting the cost of our inaugural campaign dinner. Won’t you join us in this great act of stewardship?

Each brick is available for a $100 donation. A major portion of each purchase goes directly to the FCHUM “Investing to Serve: Legacy of Caring” (A major effort to build a sound financial foundation to maintain the work of ministry in the new facility with which we have been blessed.)

4” x 8” Engraved Brick Order Form - Download this 32kb Adobe Acrobat PDF form to submit your donation!