The Heritage District Missions Secretary, Rev. Tuck Taylor, has asked the district missions teams to share their congregations’ work in their communities with the district. Our spotlight for this newsletter is Wesley Memorial UMC with Jennifer Franks.
This compilation highlights the events and mission-driven moments at Wesley Memorial in Warrenton, showcasing the efforts to engage with the surrounding community.
2023 Projects (repeating all in 2024)
MARCH: UMCOR Sunday and Girl Scout Sunday (March 20, 2024) (the Girl Scout troop that meets at our church was in attendance, which helped establish a relationship with the church at-large; we now have a liaison from the Missions Committee assigned to work with the troop on upcoming projects to help the young ladies earn badges)
AUGUST: School supply collection (we collect traditional school supplies and things needed for older students such as personal hygiene items and underwear, which helps support underprivileged youth)
SEPTEMBER: Cookies for Schools (originally planned for just a few local schools; however, we ended up with around 1,600 cookies, so we were able to make and deliver boxes to all of the schools, as well as Town Halls in 2 of our towns and public safety agencies
SEPTEMBER: Warren County High School football team pre-game meal
OCTOBER: World Communion Sunday; special offering for scholarships (Oct. 6, 2024)
DECEMBER: Angel Tree at Christmas (our focus is typically on families with young children and at least one elderly person)
Ongoing/Seasonal
Winter firewood cutting project (in partnership with our local food pantry, Loaves & Fishes, which provides us with referrals)
Support of Loaves & Fishes: monthly contribution from budget; food collection the Sunday before Thanksgiving and as needed; special offering
Special offerings for other needs including disaster relief locally and abroad
Girl Scout troop support
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund (“loose change” collected each Sunday to assist with emergency needs)
Community Dinners (in partnership with Warrenton Presbyterian Church, which heads up this initiative) for delivery to local shut-ins (2023: April and November; repeating this in 2024)
Blessings in a Bag (a project of Warren Ministries United, a group of churches countywide, which provides weekly bags of food to take home for at-risk elementary students)
Ideas from previous meetings
Choose a community project to work on (such as landscaping a garden or painting a building, etc.)
Booth at local festival(s), Bingo/activity for Colonial Lodge, monthly/quarterly breakfast
A covered dish for Loaves & Fishes volunteers
Outreach with: Colonial Lodge, Warren County Senior Center, Loaves & Fishes, Girl Scout troop, local schools, continued partnerships with other faith-based organizations
2024 Observances (for Consideration)
Jan. 15: MLK Day of Service
Feb. 14: Ash Wednesday curbside “ashing” in partnership w/other churches (joint project with our Worship Committee)
March/April: Litter Sweep
April 21-27: National Volunteer Week
Sept. 11: 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance/Patriot Day
Nov. 15: National Philanthropy Day
Photo Credit: Lightstock.com – Prixel Creative – id#265384