news article

How generous is your church?

November 12, 2019 / By UNY Communications

Editor's Note: In the 2019 Issue II of the Advocate, we asked members of the UNY conference to tell us about how their church is generous. Below are some of the responses we received. 

“We have just received permission from the village board to start a ‘Worship Without Walls’ in our downtown. We are excited and will move forward from here. We held an annual Thanksgiving dinner for the community and are preparing for the Christmas dinner. We raise money to send kids to camp and do a coat giveaway every year in October.”

Carol, Herkimer UMC

“We support the Mission HUB. Our Missions of Dorcas group sews walker and wheelchair bags, feminine products, and other items for local and worldwide organizations. We collect school supplies for a local elementary school as well as schools in Honduras. One of our lay servants leads the local Ecumenical Council, which has senior adult ministry and senior transportation programs. We support our local food pantry by working on two fundraisers in conjunction with another. Our winter wear giveaway grows each year. Our dove tree helps provide Christmas gifts to local families. We support community events like the tree lighting, where Advent calendars, cookies, and hot chocolate were given out. We collect coupons that our sister church, Collamer United, sends to help the troops (commissaries can use expired coupons). And I'm sure I've forgotten to mention many other things.”

Shirley, Bridgeport UMC

“Soups every January, February and March - every Tuesday volunteers make many pots of soup and every Wednesday anyone in need can come and pick up a bag or two or more for free. This is a ministry Elm Park in Oneonta has sustained for 20 years and folks look forward to the sign going up saying it is starting.”

Donna, Elm Park UMC

“Many members offer their time to non-profit organizations in our communities (Red Cross, Volunteer Fire Dept, YWCA, Jackson Center) as well as serve on District, Conference, and/or Jurisdictional committees.”

Carmen, Hurlbut Memorial Community UMC

“Staffing ‘A Meal & More,’ Christ Church, Rochester, NY, corresponding with sponsored children at Musawenkosi Orphanage in South Africa, volunteering at Rush-Henrietta Food Terminal, preparing lunch every second Sunday for donation of $1 for congregation with left-overs delivered to home-bound friends and more.

Erma, Rush UMC

“Some of what we do: Our church has helped at Genesee school for their Christmas sales. I am so amazed at how many missions Auburn United Methodist church does! Wednesdays, we make hot lunches for the Rescue Mission families in need. Another is the knitting of mittens and scarfs for those in need. The Fill-A-Belly for needy kids at Genesee too. We do soup kitchen. Also helping ring bells for Salvation Army. Our wonderful prayer shawl ministry led by sweet Kathleen Stockmyer and on and on. We are blessed! Some more, caroling to homes and nursing homes. Taking communion to nursing homes and homes. The food bank, Thanksgiving baskets, and on and on.

Sharon, Auburn UMC

“Our church hosts a monthly community dinner, reads with local school children, sponsors tuitions for African students and sponsors both African and Hispanic congregations.”

Sharon, Aldersgate UMCU

Food pantries, clothing, blessing bags, backpacks with school supplies—there are so many ways to be generous to communities in need. How is your church generous? We’d love to hear your stories. Send them to news@unyumc.org