“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"
- Romans 15:1-2 (The Message Translation)

This important scripture from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome is really a call to action for all of us. Paul goes on to remind us that that’s exactly what Christ did. Christ left a lasting example of serving those who were less fortunate throughout his ministry. We believe that the people who call Wakefield United Methodist Church home are called to grow a community of faith that constantly reaches out in Christian love and service to others. We recognize that mission work can be undertaken in many settings. Our plan is to offer mission and outreach opportunities with careful selection of global, regional and local projects that will allow you to engage in areas that you feel called to serve. If you’re of a global mindset, we have offerings like Stop Hunger Now and Operation Christmas Child. If you like to think regionally, consider a mission trip with Appalachia Service Project. If you like to give back to those in our own backyard, Mission Quake or WIHN may be just what you’re looking for.

Our goal is to offer at least one mission opportunity each month and it is our hope that each member of our community will grow in their faith by serving in missions at least once a quarter. Below, you’ll find links to information on the various missions and outreach opportunities in which we are already engaged as a congregation. If you see something missing, please don’t be discouraged! We invite you to identify a mission and approach a member of the Missions team with your idea.

Missions Roundtable is a regularly scheduled meeting on the 2nd Sunday of each month. We we gather to discuss what's coming up and to plan for future missions. You are welcome to attend to learn more about missions at Wakefield.

Missions Co-Chairs: Erik and Jennifer Brady
missions@wakefieldumc.org

Appalachia Service Project
WUMC Point Person: Joe Vartanesian
Type: Regional
When: Yearly, next trip is Summer 2011
Description: Youth Mission Trip to help restore the homes of people in need in the Appalachia areas of Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia or Virginia. This is a week long mission trip.
Age Ranges: Youth 14 and older with opportunities for a few Adult leaders

Mission Quake
WUMC Point Person: Jim Bell
Type: Local
When: Yearly, Last weekend in September
Description: Wake Forest Area Missions Blitz, a group of 4 or more mission opportunities on Saturday with 2-hour time slots to allow you to participate in several missions, or to allow you to schedule around other commitments, with a Crop Walk on Sunday
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Race of Grace
WUMC Point People: James Gerdts and LaRee Johnson
Type: Local
When:  Yearly, April
Description: The Race of Grace is a weekend of events including a golf tournament, a 5K walk/run and a bike ride. Specific information including dates and locations can be found on the organizer's website (www.raceofgrace.org). The golf tournament fills up quickly, so watch for the registration dates to open.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Stop Hunger Now – Advent
WUMC Point Person: Erik Brady
Type: Global
When: Yearly, Advent
Description: A calendar designed to keep your heart on the true “reason for the season” during Advent. Donations are collected during Advent and then passed on to Stop Hunger Now to fight world hunger.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Communion Sunday Food Drives
WUMC Point Person: Miriam Migdal
Type: Local
When: Monthly, Communion Sundays
Description: On the first Sunday of every month, we aim to collect items for the Salvation Army's food pantry. Be on the lookout for an announcement towards the end of every month indicating our focus for collections.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Thanksgiving in July
WUMC Point Person: Miriam Migdal
Type: Local
When: Yearly, July
Description: During the month of July, we step up our efforts to stop hunger in our community in partnership with the Salvation Army's food pantry by making a sustained push to restock the shelves. The summer months are notoriously slow for food donations, making our contribution timely and important.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Operation Christmas Child
WUMC Point People: Mark and Maria Milam
Type: Global
When: Yearly, November
Description: We partner with Samaritan's Purse to collect shoeboxes full of items (small toys & toiletries) for children in a foreign country to spread the joy of Christmas to those who have not historically known about our Savior's birthday. This is a great opportunity to involve children in reaching out globally to other children.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Angel Tree
WUMC Point Person: Jennifer Brady
Type: Local
When: Yearly, Advent
Description: Each advent we partner with the Methodist Home for Children in downtown Raleigh to spread the joy of Christmas to those children in the care of MHFC. Choose an angel off our tree in late November, purchase a gift and pass on the love to a needy child in our own backyard.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Peanut Butter Challenge
WUMC Point Person: Jason McDaniel
Type: Local
When: 2 times a year
Description: This is a mission that reaches out to the homeless and hungry people in Raleigh. WUMC will make bag lunches for the Raleigh Rescue Mission.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network (WIHN)
WUMC Point Person: Jennifer Gregory
Type: Local
When: Dates determined throughout the year
Description: Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network's mission is to provide shelter, meals, case management and educational services to homeless families in our community. We partner with local host churches to provide a meal and fellowship to the families hosted by WIHN.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Ronald McDonald House Pop Tab Collection and Dinner Preparation
WUMC Point People: Jennifer Brady and Amy Timberlake
Type: Regional
When: Yearly, ongoing
Description: Collect your can tab tops to donate to the Ronald McDonald House and bring them to the Mission table at the back of worship. When the bin gets full, we deliver the tabs, which Ronald McDonald House uses to defray the cost for residents staying at the house. We also serve a meal to those staying at the house.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Stuff for Soldiers
WUMC Point Person: Linda Wagers
Type: Global
When: Ongoing, shipments going out 2 or 3 times a year
Description: We reach out to our troops overseas by collecting small items, magazines, and other things that help our soldiers stay connected with events back home. Items can be dropped off at the Missions table at any time during the year for this mission.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Christmas in August
WUMC Point Person: Jennifer Brady
Type: Local
When: Yearly, August
Description: We pull out the Christmas tree and place tags on the tree for children and families that lack the resources to buy their necessary items to return to school. We aim to support several needy families, as well as bulk items for donation to schools. In a time of budget cuts, we attempt to add to what teachers have on hand to use in the classroom.
Age Ranges: Friendly for the entire family

Mid-High Mission Week
WUMC Point People: Leigh Watson and Beth Murray
Type: Local
When: Yearly, Summer
Description: A week long mission experience for middle grades students. Our 6th-8th graders will spend a week doing mission work at various local sites with wrap meetings each day. This is a wonderful primer for ASP for our middle grades students, offering an opportunity for them to begin to experience missions.
Age Ranges: Mid-High students (grades 6-8)