Wayzata Community Church Feed My Starving Chldren
Make an Impact
Messiah Church is a church of compassion and community outreach. Members and friends of Messiah devote their time and talents to support local, national, and global missions. From serving at the local food shelf to traveling to developing countries, we serve through mission – and there is a place for you to get involved! For more information, contact Linda Seaton, Missions Committee Chair.
Messiah Church is committed to supporting several organizations consistently and long-term. Each month, we collect a "Second Mile Offering" to support a specific organization, and when you visit for the first time, you can elect to have Messiah make a donation to one of several organizations on your behalf.
Current Needs & Volunteer Opportunities
October Second Mile Offering: UMC World Communion Offering
Our October Second Mile Offering supports the United Methodist Church (UMC) World Communion Offering. On World Communion Sunday and through the month of October, we partner with other UMC congregations in a special offering to support scholarships, training, and mentor programs to support young adults making a global impact for Christ. Through our gifts and support, we are investing in servant leadership, community building, and ministries of peace with justice in the US and around the world. Your Second Mile Offering this month supports education for church leaders and scholarships for students. For more information on the World Communion Offering, click here.
Give throughout the month of October, online by selecting "UMC World Communion Offering," by texting a dollar amount to (763) 333-2673 and following the prompts, or by mailing a check (indicate "UMC World Communion Offering" in the memo) to: Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447.
Make a Difference Days
Join us for Make a Difference Days 2022! Through October, we're deploying servants to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors by serving and sharing the love of Christ. Sign up to serve as an individual, a family, or with a group of friends, in-person or from your own home. There's something for every age & skill level!
Click here to see descriptions of ALL these opportunities, then sign up by clicking on the individual sign-up links, on Sunday mornings in October after each service, or by leaving a message for Carolyn Loeffler in the church office at cloeffler@messiahchurch.org or (763) 473-6968 ext 101. The following Make a Difference Days serving opportunities are available:
- American Red Cross Blood Drive – Monday, October 10
- Bless the Businesses – Honey & Mackie's on Thursday, October 6 and Davanni's Pizza on Thursday, October 27
- Bundles of Love – Work day on Saturday, October 22. Donations due Sunday, October 30.
- Christmas Shoeboxes – Gift card donations due Friday, October 21. Gift-filled boxes due Sunday, October 23.
- Feed My Starving Children – Saturday, October 29
- Habitat for Humanity – Work day on Tuesday, October 18*. Please sign up by Sunday, October 16. (*Work day subject to change.)
- Iglesia Piedra Viva (IPV) Distribution Event – Distribution event on Friday, October 21. Please sign up by Wednesday, October 19. Donations due Wednesday, October 19.
- Notes to Oakwood Elementary School Teachers & Staff – Cards & a staff list available Sunday, October 2. Completed notes due Sunday, October 30.
- Second Harvest Heartland – Work day on Saturday, October 29. Please sign up by Thursday, October 20.
- Act of Kindness – Anytime!
Literacy Volunteers at Oakwood Elementary
The 2022-23 school year is off and running and Oakwood Elementary is ready to welcome back literacy volunteers! The Literacy Volunteer Program focuses on improving the reading skills of struggling readers in all Wayzata Public Schools elementary schools. Volunteers listen to and support students as they read aloud from books for 20-30 minutes once or twice a week during the school day. Each student in the program is assigned to one volunteer. Volunteer training happens in October, and you can start reading with a student as soon as November 8. For more information, click here. To sign up, or if you have questions about this program, contact Julie Menk at Wayzata Schools at (763) 745-5207 or julie.menk@wayzataschools.org.
Scouts BSA Wreath Sale
It's that time of year again! The Annual Scout Wreath Sale will be Sundays, October 9 and 23. Messiah scouts from Troops 3570 and 5570 will be taking pre-orders, accompanied with your check or cash (pre-paid), before and after each service. Items will be available for pick-up at the church on Sunday, November 20.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Make a difference in the lives of others by giving blood. Please consider donating blood at the American Red Cross blood drive onMonday, October 10, 12-6 pm in Heritage Hall. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter "MessiahPlym" to schedule an appointment or click here. (Save the date for other upcoming blood drives at Messiah: Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 1-6 pm; Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 12-6 pm; and Monday, May 22, 2023, 12-6 pm.)
Did you know that you can give one super-powered blood donation that may have the same impact as two regular donations? This is called a Power Red donation. Click here for more information on being a Power Red donor.
If you have recently received a COVID-19 vaccine, knowing the name of the manufacturer is critical in determining your blood donation eligibility. Click here to read about the American Red Cross's COVID-19 procedures
The Great Taste by ICA Food Shelf
ICA Food Shelf is excited to host their 9th annual "The Great Taste" event on Thursday, October 13 at the Oak Ridge Country Club (700 Oak Ridge Road, Hopkins). This festive evening starts at 6 pm and includes a live and silent auction benefiting all ICA programs. This is a celebration of community, generosity, and neighbors – featuring a big announcement about the future of ICA. Tickets for the evening are $150 each. For all the event details, to purchase tickets, or to make a donation to ICA, visit www.icafoodshelf.org/taste. To learn more about the ICA Food Shelf, visit www.icafoodshelf.org.
Iglesia Piedra Viva (IPV) Paper Goods and Personal Care Products Collection and Distribution
Messiah Church is continuing our relationship with Iglesia Piedra Viva (IPV), Church of the Living Stone, with donations and volunteers for their next item distribution event. Messiah has partnered with this United Methodist Church since its beginning, now serving 51 low-income families living in South Minneapolis.
Please consider volunteering for their next distribution event on Friday, October 21 at Park Avenue United Methodist Church (3400 Park Avenue, Minneapolis). We'll be packing and distributing bags of groceries. Click here to sign up today!
Iglesia Piedra Viva is also looking for donations of paper goods and personal care products. (Please no food donations at this time, as this is currently being provided from a different source):
- Diapers
- Detergent
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Kleenex
Donations will be collected through Wednesday, October 19 and can be dropped off at Messiah in the shopping cart by the church library on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-12 pm). A volunteer will deliver them to the distribution event at Park Avenue UMC.
Christmas Shoebox Wrapping
Do you like wrapping presents? A few volunteers are needed to wrap shoeboxes for our upcoming Christmas Shoebox Project (in partnership with Spirit Lake Ministry Center). Christmas paper can be provided, or use your own. This Christmas, filled shoeboxes will be distributed to children on six reservations in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Nearly 70% of these children would not receive gifts if not for this program and your generosity. (Details on how to fill a box with gifts coming soon.) If you are interested in wrapping shoeboxes, please contact Jess B.
We are still collecting empty shoe boxes to prepare for this event too. Empty shoe boxes can be dropped off in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-12 pm).
Rice Meal Packing Event
Join us in Heritage Hall on Sunday, January 22, 2023 from 1-3 pm for a Rice Meal Packing Event for Midwest Mission. We'll hand pack rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and a complete blend of vitamins into bags which are distributed wherever there is need. Our goal is to pack 3,600 bags which will feed 21,600 people. For more information on Midwest Mission, visit www.midwestmission.org. Sign up info coming soon!
Little Free Libraries
Got books? Did you know there are Little Free Libraries in the parking lots at Messiah and Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth)? The library at Interfaith Outreach is maintained by Messiah members Phil & Sue Zietlow, and they are especially in need of children's books to add to that library! Children's book donations (in good condition) can be dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-12 pm), or email Sue Z to schedule a porch pick-up. We'll be sure to get these books to the Little Free Libraries for local families to enjoy!
Simpson Shelter is in Need
Simpson Shelter continues to work hard supporting their clients and helping to reduce homelessness. Visit their website at www.simpsonhousing.org to see all of the creative ways they are working to change lives: a new Voices of Simpson podcast, their Music 4 Shelter event on Friday, November 4, and welcoming new Chief Finance Officer David Senior. You too can take action and join Simpson's impact!
Current needs for the shelter:
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Cleaning products
- Bath towels and washcloths
- Men's boxers (all sizes)
- Men's t-shirts (sizes S, M, L, XXL)
- Women's bras
- Women's briefs (sizes 5-8)
- Women's white crew or ankle socks
- Personal size tissue packets
- Hair care products for natural, textured, or curly hair
- Travel-size shampoo, conditioner and lotions
- Nail care kits
- Q-tips
- Sunscreen
- Shaving cream & razors
- Shower shoes
All items must be new and unopened. Item donations can be dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-12 pm), or email Lavinia P to schedule a contactless pick-up.
To see a current list of other ways to help Simpson Shelter, visit www.simpsonhousing.org/ways-to-help/give-supplies. Instructions for monetary donations, links for shopping their Amazon Wish List, and a complete list of current needs can all be found here.
Volunteer at Interfaith Outreach
Interfaith Outreach is a valuable resource to our community, addressing critical needs of our neighbors. Volunteers help keep their food shelf, Resale Select store, and donation door running. Can you help? If you are interested in volunteering at Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.volunteerhub.com to sign up online. Interfaith Outreach is located at 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth. For more information on Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.org.
Habitat for Humanity Work Days
Among the many ways to serve our local communities, Messiah Church supports Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCH4H). Opportunities exist in several ways but primarily in the construction of housing for eligible applicants. No special skills are required to participate on a build, just a willingness to serve! Messiah volunteers have been participating in a multiple structure project on Niskanen Circle in Chaska. If you would like to help with this build project, visit tchabitat.volunteerhub.com/lp/chaska. At this link, you can register as a new volunteer and sign up for upcoming serve dates that fit your schedule. (Volunteers must be 16 and up to serve on a build team.) If you have questions regarding TCH4H volunteering, contact Marv K. For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org.
Remodeling? Cleaning? Donate to the ReStore!
Have any home projects or serious cleaning going on this fall? When you're done, donate the leftovers to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore Home Improvement Outlet. They accept appliances, building materials, cabinets, lighting, doors, and more! Visit restore.tchabitat.org/donate for all the donation guidelines and visit restore.tchabitat.org/hours-locations for ReStore locations and hours. Please make all donations directly to a ReStore location.
S erving Opportunities
Looking for other opportunities to serve our neighbors? Check out the following organizations that are accepting volunteers:
- Interfaith Outreach food shelf and Resale Select store: www.iocp.org
- Second Harvest Heartland: www.2harvest.org
- Feed My Starving Children: www.fmsc.org
- Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity work sites and ReStore locations: www.tchabitat.org
- Bundles of Love: Meets at Messiah at 6 pm on the first Thursday of each month
All organizations have their own COVID safety protocols in place. Please contact each organization directly for details.
Local Missions
Bloom Early Learning & Child Care
Bloom is an accredited, award-winning, nonprofit early learning center housed in Messiah Church. Because poverty early in life is a proven barrier to success later on, Bloom passionately strives to break the cycle at the start through nurturing care and exceptional early learning programs.
By providing scholarship assistance to half the children in our center, Bloom enables low-income single mothers and families to work or pursue education to improve their futures while giving their children the best possible start in their lives.
- Serving children 6 weeks through Pre-K
- Providing a nurturing, safe and intimate environment
- Using values-based programs and excellent curriculum with stellar outcomes
- Dedicating 50% of enrollment spots to children from families living under the poverty level in the Plymouth/Wayzata area
Our Shirley Robinson Scholarship Fund is a memorial to the wife of former Messiah Church pastor, Rollie Robinson, who originally challenged his congregation to help break the cycle of poverty through the provision of high quality, affordable early learning and child care. Gifts from individual donors, grants and fundraising events, as well as those from corporations, public organizations and faith communities, help Bloom assist children of low-income families. Contact Mary Olsen at (763) 449-0600 or visitwww.bloomearlylearning.org .
Interfaith Outreach
Messiah Church has been an important partner in Interfaith Outreach's efforts on behalf of the community to serve at-risk families in Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth and Wayzata. For opportunities to get involved, contact Linda Seaton.
Interfaith Outreach was launched in 1979 by a small group of believers who envisioned a way for our community to respond to the unmet needs of struggling families and individuals in our midst, and to help them move toward self-sufficiency. From its modest beginnings in a church basement with no budget and a volunteer staff, Interfaith Outreach has grown to a sophisticated direct service provider and respected community catalyst. To learn more about Interfaith Outreach, v isit www.IOCP.org .
Habitat for Humanity
A Christian nonprofit organization, supported in the Twin Cities by Messiah UMC for more than 20 years. Habitat provides guidance, materials and volunteers to help owners restore their houses, protecting their investment in the home and restoring pride of ownership. Additionally, Messiah supports, "Brush with Kindness," a ministry of Habitat to help 125 families each year to rehab their homes. Habitat is supported at Messiah through volunteer workdays periodically throughout the year.
For more information, please call the church office at (763) 473-6968. To learn more about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visitwww.tchabitat.org .
Simpson Housing Services
Messiah partners with Simpson Housing Services by providing many service opportunities including serving meals at the Emergency Shelter, working as an overnight volunteer at the Emergency Shelter and tutoring children. They are also in continuous need of donations such as socks, T-shirts, underwear, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant.
For more information on Simpson housing services contact our office at (763) 473-6968, or visitwww.simpsonhousing.org .
The mission of Simpson Housing Servicesis to provide free shelter and affordable housing with support services to homeless men, women and children. They assist individuals and families in their effort to improve their life situations and advocate for their human and civil rights.
The Simpson Center for Servant Ministries (Simpson CSM)
Simpson CSM is a ministry that seeks to cultivate holistic vitality in the urban community by building relationships with neighbors and partnerships across urban/suburban/rural communities. Messiah Church partners with Simpson CSM by volunteering their time and talents through community meals, food pantry, clothing store donations and produce fairs.
The CSM carries out its work through Health and Wellness activities, service opportunities and through the Poverty and Justice Institute. For more information on Simpson CSM, call the church office at (763) 473-6968 or visitwww.simpsoncsm.org .
International Missions
Imara International
Messiah Church is proud to be in partnership with Imara International and to support its Executive Director, and Messiah member, Carol Erickson, through its prayers, and donations of time, talent, gifts and service. To find out about the next mission trip opportunity, and ways you can help, contact the church office at (763) 473-6968 or visitwww.imarainternational.org .
Imara International is a U.S. based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization working in Kenya. Imara's purpose is to provide an opportunity for teenage mothers to earn a high school degree and learn marketable skills to support themselves and their children. Imara fosters a safe, healthy environment where respect, faith, and teamwork are a central focus. Infants and children who are part of the Imara family are provided healthcare and early childhood education. Imara's program is structured to teach life-sustaining skills that build strong families and communities while breaking the cycle of poverty. To learn more about Imara International, visit www.imarainternational.org .
Light of Hope
Light of Hope provides care, shelter and education to Kenyan girls in need. They develop leadership skills and help girls realize and reach their potential. For information about Light of Hope, visit www.LightOfHopeKenya.org or contact John Harmon at (612) 298-2069 or at jpharmoncpa@msn.com .
Feed My Starving Children
Feed My Starving Children is a nonprofit Christian organization committed to feeding God's children hungry in body and spirit. Messiah Church partners with FMSC by providing financial resources and countless volunteer hours packaging healthy meal-packs. To learn more about Feed My Starving Children, visitwww.FMSC.org.
The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and we ship these meals to nearly 70 countries around the world.
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
UMCOR is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. UMCOR's work includes programs and projects in disaster response, health, sustainable agriculture, food security, relief supplies, and more. UMCOR is a ministry of The United Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries.
Messiah Church supports UMCOR through various project (health kits, flood buckets) as needed by the organization. To learn more about UMCOR, visit www.umcor.org.
Source: https://www.messiahchurch.org/community/make-an-impact/
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