Outreach: Walking In His Steps In Our Community and Beyond

First United Methodist, Salisbury has a strong passion for Missions/Outreach.  During our 2007 Visioing Retreat, Missions/Outreach was by far the strongest Vision Element identified by church leaders.  The key missions we are involved in are identified below and in related tabs, but there are many other outreach efforts by invidual Sunday School classes, the United Methodist Women (UMW), and other church groups that we don't begin to touch in adequate detail here.  The passion for missions is also evident in looking at our history.  First Methodist was one of the founding churches behind Rowan Helping Ministries.  Going back to Civil War days, the women of First Methodist would stand at the wall of the Confederate prison and toss bread over the wall to the hungry prisoners.  Our outreach, current and historical, starts at our door and extends overseas.  We have a place for you to be part of a ministry team.  If you have questions about where God has shaped you to serve (He has given you spiritual gifts, abilities, and interests.), see the "Our Ministries" page.  Ministry opportunities include:

Meals-on-Wheels
Deliver meals to the homebound of Salisbury.  Volunteers and substitutes from our church deliver meals on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month (and on the 1st and 3rd fifth-Tuesdays of each year).  Time Commitment: Each pair of volunteers delivers once per month, approximately 1 to 1/2 hours.

Rowan Helping Ministries, Shelter
Prepare and serve meals, wash laundry, and sign in residents of the Rowan Helping Ministries shelter.  Time Commitment: Teams usually serve a breakfast, or a breakfast and supper meal.  Laundry is accomplished during and after supper.  Teams serve 3 or 4 times a year.  Sunday School classes provide most of our teams, but any church group may form a team.

Rowan Helping Ministries (RHM), Crisis Assistance Network
Interview RHM clients in need of medications, food, clothing, or other financial assistance.  After the interview, the Rowan Helping Ministry staff makes the decisions about what help to make available.  Training is available for all volunteers. Time Commitment: Approximately 3 hours per month, the 2nd Thursday morning from 9:15-12:00 noon.

Habitat for Humanity
Our congregation has built Habitat homes over the years.  Currently, volunteers are helping in a variety of ways: construction volunteers (from simple to more complext tasks), persons to provide meals for volunteers, schedulers, fundraising helpers, and workers at the Habitat Restore.  Time Commitment: As little as one day or as long as you would like.

Camp Discovery
Provide a Christian camp experience for rising 4th and 5th graders throughout the Rowan-Salisbury School System who might not have an opportunity otherwise.  Need mentors, drivers, and helpers with Bible study, crafts, music, day trips, and outdoor activities.  Time Commitment: Mentors attend planning and training sessions prior to camp.  Camp is 24 hours/day for one week.  Any amount of time "Day Trippers" can provide is appreciated.

Adopt a School: Isenberg Elementary School
Be a Mentor (math or reading tutor) or Lunch Buddy/Reading Partner 1/2 (or more) per month.  Donate food items for backpacks that a small number of students take home for weekend meals or donate socks, underwear, sweat pants and shirts to be used when a child has an accident at school.  Donate a book: we have given each child at Isenberg a book to take home to read over the summer for at least 3 years.

One Church One Child
Encourage foster parenting and adoption.  Help organize or contribute to gift collections and other collection drives to meet the needs of Rowan County foster children.

Mission Trips
a. Disaster Relief
Be the hands of God's love when and where needed in response to disasters such as hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes.  Time Commitment: Most disaster relief deployments are for one week.  Attending planning and training meetings prior to deployment might be required.

b. Guatemala
In partnership with Guatemalan organizations, mission teams over the years have provided a medical cilnic and pharmacy, assisted with construction, and provided Christian education through Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children.  Currently, we are evaluating new Guatemalan partnerships due to changes with the previous partner.  When missions resume, we will need to help raise funds, collect and prepare supplies, and provide transportation to and from the airport.  Time Commitment: Mission trips typically last 8 nights, but there are many opportunities to assist that only require a few hours.

c. Youth Mission Trips
Minister to those in need in our state or region through repair and improvement projects.  Ministry teams are composed of youth and adult leaders.  Worship and reflection are part of the mission experience.  All volunteers must meet Safe Sanctuary standards.  Time Commitment: Teams serve for about one week during the summer.  Participation in fund raising and training activities prior to the trip is mandatory.

Mission Bridge
Play Bridge and raise money for missions the third Friday of each month, at the church.  Participants take turns hosting.  Light refreshments are served and good fellowship is enjoyed.  Time Commitment: One night a month.

United Methodist Women (UMW)
"The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church."  UMW, in circles (small groups), meet once a month, normally on the 1st Monday, except during the summer.  Each circle plans programs about and participates in missions to the community and the world.  Circles are available both during the day and in the evening, in the church and in homes.  Time Commitment: Generally, circles meet for 1 1/2 hours a month.  During the year, three evening dinner meetings with special programs are held for all circles (August, December, and March).

Scouting Ministry (Boy Scout Troop 442)
Guide boys to manhood through spiritual growth, outdoor challenge and community service.  Troop 442 has been chartered with the Boy Scouts of America since 1925.  All programs follow BSA guidelines.  Activities include Camping, Hiking, Climbing, Land Navigation, Swimming, and Canoeing.  Key positions are Merit Badge Counselors and Troop Leaders.  All volunteers must meet Safe Sanctuary standards.

Outreach through Children Programs
First Methodist provides outreach to children in the community and their families through the First United Methodist Preachool, the First United Methodist Child Development Center, and After School Care.  For more information on these ministries, see "Children" under the "Ministries" tab.