The area of GCCP encompasses all or a portion of 4 counties. The number of families living in the parish who are at or below the federally established level of poverty is above state and federal averages. Unemployment averages are also above the state and national averages. Employment opportunities are limited and many jobs are seasonal depending on the tourism industry. There is a transient population in some communities associated with local prisons and those who move to the area to be near those imprisoned. These circumstances provide a challenge and an opportunity for ministry to those who struggle to live in this area. Long, harsh winters are a serious stressor to keep families warm, appropriately clothed and properly housed. Long distances to get to adequate grocery shopping and medical assistance is another factor to be dealt with. The entire Parish covers over 2,500 square miles so isolation from each other is a factor. GCCP seems to be the one link that binds us together. Through our CCW making frequent visits in each community, we become more of a cohesive unit for support, encouragement, and ministry. Travel is difficult in the long winter months so our monthly Parish Council meetings seem to “force” us to stay connected and feel that support and encouragement. The major goal of the GCCP is to remain a beacon for Christ in each of the 7 communities, by keeping the 7 small churches open and serving in those communities. This provides the asset for having a place in each community from which to provide the ministries of support and sustenance. The long term impact would be that no one in each of the communities would go without food, warm clothing, medical care due to lack of transportation, houses that were not properly winterized, or needed pastoral care. It would be our prayer that through the ministries of GCCP, all of our people would be able to enhance their “being” through the programs provided as described above. Of course, we would also pray that they would at some point want to join in the ministries of providing that same opportunity to others. And, praise the Lord, if they became active in any one of our 7 churches. 1. The United Methodist presence would be seen as an ongoing ministry, not just a place to go on Sunday morning. 2. The entire Parish would feel a one-ness rather than 7 isolated communities. 3. The people of each community would have needed items available without having to travel long distances. 4. There would be a lessened feeling of isolation by the people of each individual community. 5. People of each community would have access to transportation to needed medical care. 6. Our churches would feel the support of each other thus strengthening the concept of Cooperative Ministry. 7. Our churches would be truly living out the concept of Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds. 8. The people in each community would have access to a life with more dignity and the feeling that there are opportunities of them rather than “hand outs”.