Missions

From Matthew 25:35-46 we learn that we are unmistakably God's people when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and share our gifts with those in need. The following data explains some of the ways our church is involved in intentionally doing for others. We focus on trying to help with as many projects as we can so that our members might know of the scope of United Methodist mission opportunities.

Scroll down to see pictures of Service Projects in which church members and friends continue to be involved.

The money needed by each ASP team is raised throughout the year by the volunteers through dinners, car washes, etc. Additional funds are provided for as a budgeted item under Local Missions. This year's team will go to Leslie County, Kentucky in July.

2003 ASP Team: Click the photo to see a larger image.

SCUMC sponsors two food drives a year for the Winchester Union Rescue Mission. Its purpose is to collect canned goods and monetary gifts. Rev. Stone’s mission caters to men who need shelter and rehabilitation. Bible study is an integral part of this mission, and three meals a day are served.

Two sites within the church facility make contributing to those in need hard to forget. The boxes containing food and clothing are filled and emptied weekly. C-CAP volunteers from our church work at the facility, serve on committees, and transport food on a regular basis. Further, C-CAP is included in the church budget. (Fact 71% of those seeking assistance do not receive food stamps.)

We participate in gleaning: a practice of harvesting non-saleable produce (in our area, primarily apples from local orchards, pictured to the right), and send it to local food banks. At right is a 2003 Sweet Potato Drop where the potatoes are bagged and loaded on a truck for food banks.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 as a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Our church provides volunteers to help construct homes in Winchester and Frederick County.

A collection of warm clothing and blankets was transported to Christ House in Washington, DC. The mission provides health care for homeless men who have been discharged from a hospital, but still need medical, emotional, and spiritual support. It also provides shower facilities and a change of clothing for other homeless men. Christ House is included in the church budget.

Area Latino women participate in a literacy program one day a week. A church van picks up those who need transportation, and baby sitting is also provided. It’s a win-win project for everyone involved as the Latino women learn English while our church volunteers learn Spanish. Child care is provided when the Winchester Migrant Education Program requests our help. Caring for Latino children while parents attend “Back to School Night" at Armel Elementary, and other events is helpful both to the community and Latino families.   During a 30 Hour Famine Project, the Sr. High Youth worked on local mission projects as they were experiencing hunger. To help the Shelter for Abused Women, some youth applied stain to weather proof clothesline standards that will be used in awareness presentations sponsored by the Shelter. Other teens made up "Care" packages for college students. The Maddoxes serve as missionaries near Port au Prince, Haiti. Charles heads up all work teams from the states, and Patty oversees the lodging facilities. She also guides women and children when they seek her advice. They hire many local people in order to boost the economy. Work teams from the US teach children, repair established churches, repair and build schools. The Hodges run the Jubilee Project in Hancock County, Tennessee. Their work specializes in community development in the impoverished or depressed areas of East Tennessee. Much of the population in Guatemala consists of women and children who live in poverty. Civil Wars have taken the men, and mud slides, volcanic eruptions and other disasters have been a contributing factor in creating some unhealthy living conditions. Pictured here are Valerie Zimmerman (Christian Athlete), and John Clawson, church member. As Volunteers in Mission they built more efficient stoves that provided for an exhaust system. They also planted trees to prevent erosion and mudslides. Shown here is a picture of a recently restored church in Russia. Some of the labor was done by Volunteers in Mission from the Virginia Conference. Although we have not done physical labor in that country, we send money to IOP- Russian Initiative.

We filled an Ark which provided $5000 worth of animals and plants for areas in need. The Junior High Youth Group spear-headed the drive that encouraged church members to support these efforts.

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