The Missions and Outreach Committee has many opportunities for you to get involved and we’re challenging each member and group of the church to participate in at least one mission/outreach project in the next year. Some of the opportunities are:
Plainfield Free Meals
Covenant UMC in Plainfield serves meals to approximately 100 needy people from the surrounding communities year-round. Volunteers from our church prepare, serve and clean up after a meal they provide every 4th Monday of the month.
Blanket Ministries
Money is collected year-round to purchase fleece for blankets, which are crafted by hand by church members of all ages. They are then distributed to multiple organizations such as Interfaith Counsel for the Homeless, Cranford Family Care, RWJ Hospital Rahway and Christian ministries throughout NJ. We’ve even sent blankets to our armed forces overseas. Last year about 120 blankets were distributed to those in need. The door is always open for additional people to help make the blankets – it’s fun & easy!
Katrina/Other Relief Efforts
Although Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, many residents have still not been able to return to their homes or are living in damaged homes. Our church has sent monetary support to assist and there are opportunities for hands-on support as well. Are you called to help in this way?
R.I.S.E.
This is a program with which youth and adults of CUMC travel to rural upstate NY during the summer. They, along with other GNJ church groups, donate a week of their summer break to perform service to people in need. Each team helps build, repair, paint and carry out many tasks to provide individuals and families with adequate and safe housing. New volunteers always welcome!
A Faithful Journey
Several churches in the local area have come together to support an African woman, called “Faith” who is in the US on asylum. This strong community leader is a proponent of female education and has spoken out against female genital mutilation (FGM), a traditional, dangerous custom in Africa. She has empowered other females to strive for further education and economic independence through the sales of Maasai beadwork. Faith is also working to bring her family to the US to protect her daughters from FGM. We are continuing to support her as she awaits final approval for her family to arrive.
CROP Hunger Walk
Every year, thousands of people participate in various annual CROP Walks across the country to help raise awareness and funds to fight hunger--around the block and around the world. Proceeds from the event help provide food, relief supplies, refugee assistance, preventive health care and improvements in food production and water resources. Join other CUMC members for the Cranford CROP Hunger Walk!
Walk for the Ages (summer)
A walk to raise funds for the Fellowship Fund of the UMC, so that no one will have to leave any of the United Methodist Homes if they run out of money.
Cranford Family Care
The first Sunday of each month, we collect food donations for Cranford Family Care (CFC) food pantry, which distributes it to local families in need. We also collect gift cards and cold weather items (hats, scarves, gloves) as part of our Christmas Alternative Giving Campaign.
UMCOR Relief Kits
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has an ongoing need for Supply Kits around the world. These kits help to care for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis. They also help to sustain everyday life by providing basic necessities to people who lack ready access to essential supplies. Bedding, health, layette, school and sewing kits as well as flood clean-up buckets each has a specific list of items to meet a specific need. Gathering and assembling supply kit materials can be a wonderful hands-on activity, bringing together young and old!
C.A.U.S.E. (Christian Approach to Urban and Suburban Encounter)
C.A.U.S.E. distributes clothing and operates a thrift shop, provides food to over 1,000 people each month, and provides social service programs and Christian counseling to all in need in the Jersey City area. We collect articles for the thrift shop and need volunteers to take these things to Jersey City.
Alternative Giving Fair – Celebrating Jesus’ birth by giving to various missions in honor of the persons to whom you are presenting the gift.
Response to Special Needs as they occur – in the past, our congregation supported a family who lost everything in a fire.
Become part of the Missions and Outreach Committee – do you have a special talent for sharing things from the Internet, writing, speaking, and creating bulletin boards? We need help with publicity and communications to achieve success in the above projects. If you don’t want to commit to a specific project but would like to help keep others informed, let us know.
New opportunities? Let us know if they call you!
- Local Disaster Response Team Formation
- Supporting our church’s “Green” Journey
- Darfur Response, “Not On Our Watch”
- Interfaith housing for the homeless
-Habitat for Humanity
- A family mission experience
These are some of the opportunities available to get involved in the mission work of CUMC. Let us know if you’re interested in any of these projects, have others in mind or have any questions. We're looking forward to working with you!!
Please email the church office for more information at office@cranfordumc.com
