Missions

Our congregation values service through a variety of local and regional mission opportunities, with a focus on meeting the physical needs of those on the margins. The Missions Committee guides our church’s efforts to offer support, and to share the love of Jesus Christ, to our community and the world. Some of the missions we support are:

• Project Crossroads: serving the needs of God’s children in southwestern Virginia through home repair, new home construction, firewood delivery, and emergency assistance. Each summer, a mission team travels to Marion, VA, to spend a week volunteering time and energy while building relationships and deepening their faith.
• Camp Rainbow Connection: Volunteers share a week with intellectually challenged adults. Campers have a buddy for the week and experience summer camp, some for the very first time.
• Hampton Roads Ecumenical Lodgings and Provisions (HELP): HELP supports people in transition to rebuild lives changed by circumstances beyond their control. During the winter months, FUMC hosts A Night’s Welcome by providing food and shelter on the coldest nights to folks who would be sleeping on the streets. Website: http://helphouse.org.
• Transitions and Menchville House: Shelters for battered women and their children in transition.
• United Methodist Committee on Relief: As the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR works with vulnerable communities to strengthen self-sufficiency and encourage partnerships to provide ministry to persons in need. UMCOR responds to U.S. and international disasters, addresses diseases of poverty, ministers to refugees and immigrants, provides clean water and actively works to reduce hunger. https://www.umcmission.org/umcor. First UMC regularly collects items to pack Health Kits, School Kits, and other supplies needed in struggling communities, in addition to sending financial support.
• A.W.E. Bassette Elementary School: A neighboring school with a high percentage of families struggling to make ends meet. FUMC has collected school supplies and supported the Family Engagement program with gift cards and other donations.