The Orphans & Vulnerable Children Committee (OVCC) was formed under the Missions Team. The Committee developed a plan, and the church leadership adopted Orphans & Vulnerable Children as the Primary Mission Focus for Thalia UMC. It was decided to work locally with the United Methodist Family Services (now Shineforth) and internationally with the Foundation 4 Orphans. 

History of TUMC & Foundation 4 Orphans

and

Status of TUMC F4O/Zoe Empowerment Groups


January 2016 – A Beacon newspaper article talked about Wayne Lavender, a UMC pastor and Executive Director of the Foundation 4 Orphans (F4O)


June 2016 – a series of meetings and communications began between Richard Norman and Wayne Lavender.


December 2016 – a small group from Thalia met with Wayne to discuss how Thalia might become involved with F4O.


January 2021 – The Orphans & Vulnerable Children Committee (OVCC) was formed under the Missions Team. The Committee developed a plan, and the church leadership adopted Orphans & Vulnerable Children as the Primary Mission Focus for Thalia UMC. It was decided to work locally with the United Methodist Family Services and internationally with the Foundation 4 Orphans. A goal was set to support 50 Orphans & Vulnerable Children in Mozambique by constructing an orphanage through F4O. 


May 2021 - a kick-off service was conducted to begin a three-year drive to raise the required funds to construct an orphanage for 50 orphans & vulnerable children (OVC).


Summer 2022 - several world events came together and F4O began a transition from Orphanages to a Zoe Empowerment Model to assist OVC in Mozambique. After much deliberation, Thalia agreed to the transition and in October 2022, started support of its first Empowerment Group, The Braves.


Thalia UMC supported groups


Group 1       The Braves – formed in October 2022; graduated October 2025

                   30 Households: Heads aged 14-19; 70 additional siblings aged 2-15

Group 2       Success – formed in October 2023, will graduate in October 2026

                   30 Households: Heads aged 17-20; 65 additional siblings aged 2-18

Group 3       Prosperity – formed October 2025; will graduate in October 2027



                   Details will be available in late January

Group 4       Will start will funds are raised to fully support. Currently raised over 20%

Households vary from 2 to 5 members

For more information on Foundation 4 Orphans,
please visit their website:
www.f4o.org.


Members of the Orphans &
Vulnerable Children Committee

Richard Norman, Chair
Tim Hundley
Barbara Jennings
Lynne Logan
Bill Shewchuk
Pastor Megan Collins