2024 lenten discipline of giving

2024 LENTEN OFFERING

Lent is traditionally a time when we focus on committing to spiritual practices to help us grow in faith and love of God and neighbor – even and especially our enemies. An important spiritual practice for the members of WUMC during Lent is living into Jesus’ call to give to support those in need (see Matthew 6:2 and 25:31-46). The Local and Global Outreach Committees have selected the following as a means to live into that call:

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

  • UMCOR SundayUMCOR is the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, providing physical, mental, and spiritual support to those affected by natural and human-caused disasters. This special offering underwrites UMCOR’s “costs of doing business” whereas when you give to support a particular UMCOR relief initiative, 100% of the gift goes in support of that need.

  • Hope Center of LatviaThis ministry offers mothers a loving home atmosphere where they can prepare for the birth of their child. It addresses the specific need of not only shelter and food for both mother and child but also how to prepare the women for responsible independent living.

  • Too Young to WedTheir mission is to empower girls and end child marriage globally. We envision a world where: every girl can decide for herself, if, when and to whom she will marry; girls are free to be children and teens, with access to gender-specific healthcare and all levels of education; and all girls are free to determine the course of their own lives.

LOCAL INITIATIVES

  • Avalon CenterAvalon Center works to end domestic and sexual violence by breaking the cycle of abuse through prevention, education, shelter and support services in the greater Williamsburg and Middle Peninsula communities. They serve over 1,500 women, children, and men a year.

  • Lackey ClinicTheir mission is to provide skilled, compassionate healthcare and counseling to the medically disadvantaged so that they may know the love of Jesus Christ through loving healthcare, wellness, and hope. Medical, dental, eye, and spiritual care are offered.

  • Grove Christian Outreach CenterGrove focuses on providing food, clothing, and financial assistance to those in need. Programs include: food delivery for homebound seniors; school supply drives; and holiday programs to celebrate family traditions.

Give a lenten gift now

LOCAL OUTREACH

Welcome to the epicenter of community involvement at Williamsburg United Methodist Church! Our Local Outreach Committee serves as the cornerstone of our commitment to embodying Christ's love beyond our sanctuary walls. We firmly believe that faith is not merely a personal journey but a transformative force that compels us to engage with the world around us.

 

Through a wide array of volunteer opportunities, we strive to be the hands and feet of Christ in our local community. From food drives and winter coat collections to specialized programs for the marginalized, we offer avenues for everyone to get involved. Our initiatives are designed to provide immediate relief, foster long-term relationships, and empower individuals and families towards self-sufficiency.


Click Here to Get Involved!

EXPLORE OUR MISSIONS

Below, you'll find an accordion-style layout that serves as your comprehensive guide to the many missions we support. Whether you're interested in helping the homeless, supporting refugees, or contributing to children's welfare, there's a place for you in our outreach efforts. Simply click on the mission that resonates with you to expand it for more details. Your involvement can make a world of difference.

  • Join members of the Local Outreach Team of WUMC to help homeless Williamsburg residents find their way to self-sufficiency. The All-in-Friends program provides compassion, friendship, and help with seeking food, employment, housing, sobriety, and other necessities of independent living. The Friend-in-Need participates in the 3e Restoration process, which is spiritually-based on the Christian principle of loving and caring for others. 

  • Join us in supporting two Afghan refugee families who relocated to Williamsburg in 2021. Through personal relationships and financial support, WUMC has: provided transportation and childcare; helped with school enrollment and obtaining needed documents; found medical care, language skills and advice in navigating life in the USA.

  • This annual opportunity during Advent allows non-profit organizations to accept donations as an alternative to traditional holiday consumerism. Advent offering recipients provide items for sale or acknowledgement cards in exchange for donations.

  • Join us each October to collect new winter coats for preschool age children enrolled in the local Preparatory Academy program (formerly Head Start), which enables these children to interact with others and learn basic skills needed to begin kindergarten. Place donated coats in the WUMC Collection Closet near the church office.

  • Join us in this ministry sponsored by Greater Williamsburg Outreach Mission (GWOM), which serves families who live in residential motels without cooking facilities. Serve with us and other area churches to purchase and deliver groceries and recipes to those who have received a crock pot, so they can prepare their own nutritious meals. To learn more and volunteer online, click here.

  • Join us on the 1st Wednesday of each month as we serve with St. Martin’s Episcopal to deliver dinners prepared by Meals on Wheels to families, seniors, and disabled individuals living in motels (some of the sheltered homeless) in our area. The meal cost is divided between the two churches, and our share is funded through the Local Outreach budget. This program is administered by a local faith-based organization, From His Hands.

  • WUMC partners with this inter-faith coalition working to address poverty and homelessness in Greater Williamsburg. We are a charter member of the coalition and provide funding and volunteer servants for a variety of projects. Join us at Greater Williamsburg Outreach Mission!

  • In August, school supplies are collected to share with students from Highland Park, the Prep Academy, and local public schools. Join the Local Outreach team in sorting and packaging the supplies into backpacks. Through WUMC's Local Outreach budget, we also provide funding to purchase other supplies that are needed, such as back-up computer drives and ear-buds.

  • Each summer our church partners with Meals on Wheels (MOW) to provide healthy lunches for about 300 children living in local motels and low-income apartments who receive free or reduced lunches at their public schools during the school year. Join us each Thursday from mid-June through late August in serving to make and package sandwiches along with a snack, fruit, juice box, and homemade cookies. You can also donate food to our food drive to collect many of the needed food items. To assist with the Summer Meals ministry, please click here.

  • Our church partners with Meals on Wheels (MOW) to provide Thanksgiving dinner for those in need in our area. Join us the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to package the main meal at MOW, then meet at church to package extra items. On Thanksgiving morning, the meals are readied for delivery by volunteers of From His Hands (FHH), a local faith-based organization. Help us fund this ministry by giving to a special congregational offering.

  • Community of Faith Mission (COFM) is a local faith-based organization that operates an emergency shelter program during the coldest months of the year for those experiencing homelessness in our community. This weekly program has a capacity of 25 individuals and operates from 6:30pm to 7:00am, Sunday to Sunday. WUMC serves as a host church for one week each winter. Join us to: register clients; cook and serve dinner and/or breakfast; and/or spend the night as a chaperon.

    For 2024, we are hosting January 14-21. Sign up to volunteer now:


    Sign Up for a Shift  Sign Up for Meal Prep

financial support

Our Local Outreach Committee is committed to supporting a wide range of local non-profit organizations that make a meaningful difference in our community. From scholarships for children to medical assistance for low-income families, our financial contributions are a testament to our faith in action. Click below to view our comprehensive PDF that details the organizations we support. 


View our local partners

global outreach

Welcome to the global mission arm of Williamsburg United Methodist Church! Our Global Outreach Committee is committed to extending the love and teachings of Christ to corners of the world far beyond our local community. We recognize that our call to serve doesn't stop at our doorstep; it transcends borders, cultures, and languages.


Our global initiatives range from missionary sponsorships and disaster relief efforts to educational and healthcare projects. These endeavors aim not only to meet immediate needs but also to lay the groundwork for sustainable development and spiritual growth in communities around the world. By aligning ourselves with reputable organizations and local partners, we ensure that our impact is both meaningful and enduring.

 

Volunteering in our global outreach programs offers a unique opportunity to broaden your horizons and deepen your faith. Whether you're contributing financially, offering prayers, or considering a mission trip, your involvement is a vital part of our church's worldwide ministry.


Become Part of the Team!

A Heart for Missionaries

We are honored to be in a covenant relationship with four dedicated missionaries serving in diverse corners of the world—Oklahoma, Russia, the Republic of the Congo, and Cambodia. Our annual financial commitment of $2,500 to each missionary is just the beginning. We keep them uplifted in prayer, maintain ongoing correspondence, and strive to deepen these relationships that extend our church family across continents.

Beyond Missionaries

Our global outreach doesn't stop with individual missionaries. We are proud supporters of various international initiatives, including:

  • This mission focuses on community development and education in impoverished areas of the Philippines.

  • We contribute to this foundation's work in providing healthcare services in rural Honduras, where access to medical care is limited.

  • Our support aids this church in its mission to rebuild communities affected by civil war and the Ebola crisis.

  • The Hope Center in Latvia was born out of a deep desire to serve God by ministering to the marginalized members of society, in particular, to provide new beginnings for young, single mothers and their babies.

  • We support this church in its efforts to provide spiritual and community services in a region where faith communities are sparse.

  • UMCOR stands as one of the most reputable disaster response organizations in the world. Rooted in the Methodist tradition of compassionate service, UMCOR goes where the need is greatest, providing immediate relief in the wake of natural and human-made disasters. From packaging health kits to flood buckets, our congregation actively participates in UMCOR's mission, offering hope and help to those in dire circumstances. Through UMCOR, we extend the love and compassion of Christ to communities in crisis, both domestically and globally.

  • This mission focuses on delivering essential medical care and supplies to underserved communities in Haiti, a country still recovering from natural disasters.

Through the Initiatives of Hope, we join God's transformative work in Brazil, Mozambique, and Russia. We also provide annual support for the Jeremiah Project, offering middle schoolers a chance for hands-on mission work. Recently, we've expanded our mission to include prison ministry within Virginia.


SEASONAL OFFERINGS: SPECIAL PROJECTS AND RELIEF EFFORTS



Our Lenten and Advent Offerings are special times when we focus on providing one-time assistance for international or national relief efforts, special projects, or the unique needs of our missionaries. These offerings are a testament to our church's commitment to be Christ's hands and feet in the world.

LOADING PLAYER…

ongoing fundraisers

  • Fall is finally here, and winter will not be far behind!  Children at Head Start Preschool need warm coats to wear to school and play outside during the winter months. For these children, preschool can play a critical role in preparing them for kindergarten in the public school system. 

     

    The Head Start program enables these little ones to interact with other children and learn basic skills necessary to succeed in school.  The girls and boys in this program are 3 to 5 years old, and wear sizes 4 – 8.  Please help WUMC support these kids by donating new coats in the sizes specified above.  OUR GOAL IS 125 COATS!! 

     

    Coats can be dropped off in the Collection Closet located near the Welcome Desk any time during the month of October. 

     

    “… for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9: 7b-8