Our Church In MissionUnited Methodists join John Wesley in Affirming the divine call to do good works that show God's love wherever we can. We are mutually connected - organized - so that our individual efforts blend with the work of others to be more powerful that any one person alone. Our budget supports our "good works" and expresses our covenant to connectional service and multiplies God's love in tangible ways.
"I look upon all the world as my parish... I am employed according to the plain directions of (God's) word - 'as I have opportunity, doing good to all...'"(cf Galatians 6:10)
- John WesleySupported by the Hunger Fund
(Money distributed quarterly - designated for food)The Hunger Fund was established about 20 years ago when Wesley Hirsch was pastor. The idea was to provide an opportunity for individuals to contribute money to be used only for the purchase of food.
Through the years persons have, on a regular basis, pledged above their regular giving, to the Hunger Fund. The result is that through the years multitudes of different ministries have had food provided by our church's giving. We have literally given thousands of dollars each year for hunger.
Barry-Lawrence County Developmental Center
The Barry-Lawrence County Developmental Center located in Monett provides early childhood special education, occupational therapy, speech and language, and physical therapy for preschoolers to 5 years old with a handicapping condition.Della C. Lamb
Della C. Lamb was established in 1897 for the purpose of helping neglected children and mothers in need (because of abuse or any other reason). It is a local home mission in Kansas City that serves 300 children daily, with nearly 100 children in a before and after school program.
Epworth Children and Family Services
Epworth Children & Family Services located in St. Louis, in partnership with the community and the United Methodist Church, offers a wide array of services to children, youth and families in need, strengthening the capacity of each to thrive in society. Epworth provides many valuable services to over 100 children in need annually. The children and adolescents, ages 11-21, are admitted to Epworth for treatment of severe emotional problems, out-of-control behavior, parental conflict, parental neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and school failure and need help.The Kitchen
The Kitchen in Springfield provides: A safe haven for the homeless, serves meals to Missouri Hotel residents, and persons in households in the greater community (families who just aren't making it on minimum wage), provides a medical clinic for treatment, filling prescriptions and dental care, provides furniture and household items through the Fresh Start program and provides clothing for men, women, and children from Maggie's Boutique, The Kitchen's Free Store/Thrift Store.Lafayette House
The Lafayette House in Kansas City serves three meals per day, seven days a week to nearly 1,000 residential and outpatient clients each year. During the last fiscal year, Lafayette House served a total of 1,800 women, children and men in southwest Missouri. The Hunger-Relief program is aimed at helping domestic victims.Monett Sheltered Workshop
The Monett Sheltered Workshop located in Monett is a not-for-profit business that provides the highest level of employment possible for the mentally or physically challenged individuals that reside in Barry and Lawrence counties.The Mozambique Initiative
The Missouri East Conference has had a relationship with Mozambique going back to the time of Bishop Handy in the late 1980s. Bishop Sherer became directly involved with Mozambique during the mid-1990s. She made this an Area Initiative seeking covenant churches for every pastor in Mozambique. This was accomplished at the 1999 Sessions of the Missouri East and West Annual Conferences. The United Methodist Churches of Missouri have committed their resources to the building of a mutual ministry over the next decade. The Aurora UMC has a covenant to support the Teles Children's Orphanage in Mozambique.Newhouse
Newhouse in Kansas City provides a 24-hour crisis hotline; twenty weeks of shelter including food, clothing, and personal necessities; case management; referrals to social services and vocational training.reStart
reStart in Kansas City provided over 80,000 bed-nights of shelter and over 126,000 meals for homeless men, women, youth, and families.Christian Service Center
The Christian Service Center located in Aurora is a local ecumenical effort to assist in meeting the needs of persons of the community. They have both a food pantry and thrift store. They also provide emergency assistance to those in need.