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, there is a place for you to get involved! Sign up for any of these service opportunities and community outreach programs at the Missions area in our lobby. 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
Christmas Offering: Bloom Totes for Hope and H2O for Life
Totes for Hope is a ministry of Messiah Church to help minimize food insecurity for Bloom Early Learning & Child Care families. What started in the summer of 2018 has evolved to better meet the needs of Bloom families by becoming a self-select food shelf. Available throughout the week, all year long, this program allows families to take what food they need, when they need it. Our Christmas offering will provide funds to purchase food for this program. For more information on Bloom, visit www.bloomearlylearning.org.
There is an urgent need for clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools and communities around the world. H2O for Life educates and inspires action to help solve this global water crisis. By raising awareness and funds, they support the implementation of water and sanitation projects in global schools. Our Christmas offering supports Mali Mali Primary School in Kakamega County, Kenya. Projects typically include a borehole well, handwashing stations, latrines, and training on health, hygiene and COVID-19 prevention. For more information on the specific school we are supporting through H2O for Life, visit www.h2oforlifeschools.org/projects/1073.
Give throughout the month of December, online by selecting “Christmas Offering,” by texting a dollar amount to (763) 333-2673 and following the prompts, or by mailing a check (indicate “Totes for Hope” or “H2O for Life” in the memo) to: Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447. Undesignated gifts will be evenly distributed.
Interfaith Outreach Sleep Out Events
Join the community fun and momentum of Interfaith Outreach’s 2021 Sleep Out campaign. The Sleep Out is a community-wide campaign to support struggling families in the west suburban communities by raising funds to address their needs and help prevent homelessness. Along with organizing a Sleep Out (or Sleep In) or donating to the campaign, there are other opportunities to help nearly 2,000 local families at risk of homelessness:
- Community Conversation – Wednesday, December 15, 11:30 am-12:30 pm. Poverty, affordable housing and mental illness are often interconnected. Attend a free Zoom conversation, Housing, Homelessness & Mental Health, to explore the impact of housing instability and homelessness on mental health. Hear from an expert guest presenter and Interfaith Outreach staff, and learn how you can be part of the solution. Learn more and RSVP (by Tuesday, December 14) at iocp.org/conversation.
- Shop With a Purpose – Thursday, December 16 & Friday, December 17. Support local businesses and help prevent homelessness during this unique Sleep Out event. Shop and dine with generous partners who donate a portion of their sales on these two days to Interfaith Outreach. A list of participating businesses can be found at iocp.org/SWAP.
For more information on the Sleep Out or to donate, visit the Interfaith Outreach website at www.iocp.org/donations/sleep-out.
Habitat for Humanity Work Days
Messiah is assembling a building team for Habitat for Humanity work days on Thursday, December 16 and Friday, December 17, 8:30 am-3:30 pm. All skill levels are needed to help with a rebuild of a home for a new home owner in Crystal. Must be 16 and up (under 21 accompanied by adult). To sign up, register at tchabitat.volunteerhub.com/lp/MessiahUMC, or contact Marv K, by Thursday, December 9.
For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org. For information on their COVID guidelines for volunteers, visit www.tchabitat.org/blog/you-can-volunteer-again-safely.
Winter Outerwear Collection for Oakwood
Oakwood Elementary School is in need of extra winter accessories for students who may be without or whose own things get lost. Through Sunday, December 19, we are collecting new or gently used kids hats, mittens, gloves, boots, and snow pants (in sizes 5/6 through 14/16). If possible, please wash any gently used items before donating. Donations can be dropped off in the bin labeled “Oakwood Winter Accessories” in the atrium on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am-4 pm).
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 on Tuesday, January 18, 12-6 pm in Heritage Hall. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “MessiahPlym” to schedule an appointment or click here: www.RedCrossBlood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=MessiahPlym. (Masks are required.)
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 special COVID-19 procedures.
Looking for Gliding Rockers
Are your children or grandchildren growing up in a blink? Do you have a gliding rocker at home just gathering dust? If so, we would love to put it to good use in two new spaces Messiah is creating for parents of small children. We are looking for 4-6 gliding rockers in very good condition for a new toddler area in Heritage Hall, as well as a new nursing/infant space in the prayer room in the sanctuary. If you have a gliding rocker you would like to donate please email a picture to Kari Stern, Assistant Director of Children and Family Ministry, at kstern@messiahchurch.org. We’ll make sure it will work for our purposes and arrange for a pick-up.
Simpson Shelter is in Need
November is a month of thanks, and one way to express gratitude is by blessing others. Please consider helping those who experience homelessness by donating to Simpson Shelter. Simpson Shelter is an organization that provides meals and a warm place to sleep to those who are currently without a safe place to live. Urgent needs for the shelter include:
- 5 new microwaves – please see their Amazon Wish List for this item
- Women’s crew and ankle socks
- New bras – all sizes
- Men’s boxers – all sizes
- Bath towels – gently used or new
- New twin size sheet sets
- Twin blankets
- New pillows
- Razors and shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Dental floss
- Travel-size conditioner and bar soap
- Hair care products for natural, textured or curly hair
Labeled item donations can be dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am-4 pm), or contact 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. For more information on Simpson Housing Services, visit www.simpsonhousing.org.
Most Needed Items at Interfaith Outreach
Interfaith Outreach is a valuable resource to local families who access food and goods to support their families. The most needed items at this time include:
- Food Shelf: 4T and 5T Pull Ups, dried fruit, healthy snacks, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables
- Resale Select: women’s clothing, men’s jeans, winter boots, new décor, gift items, puzzles, games, etc.
- Holiday Gift Program: financial donations at iocp.org/givejoy
- Birthday Shelf: gifts for teen boys (non-sports), books for teens (13+), games for teens
- General: NEW socks, underwear, bed sheets
Please drop off these or any other non-perishable items directly at Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth) during their donation hours: Mondays and Fridays 10 am-5 pm and Wednesdays 10 am-7 pm.
Drivers Needed for Interfaith Outreach Food Shelf
There is a new volunteer opportunity at the Interfaith Outreach Food Shelf – Food Shelf Home Delivery Driver. This role involves picking up prepacked boxes from the food shelf (at 1605 County Road 101 N., Plymouth) and delivering them to a list of 5-7 clients. Deliveries are on Tuesday afternoons, starting at 4:30 pm, and take 60-90 minutes.
If you are interested in hearing more about this opportunity, contact Patrick at Interfaith Outreach at pfelker@iocp.org. For more information on Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.org.
Interfaith Outreach Needs Food Shelf Volunteers
Interfaith Outreach has transformed their basic food shelf into a SuperShelf. (Click here to learn more about this transformation). Now they need volunteers to provide caring support for guests as they shop! Can you help? Sign up for a New Volunteer Meeting at iocp.volunteerhub.com to learn more. (Choose “Orientation & Trainings” on the gray drop down menu to find shifts. Additional dates/times are added frequently.) Please call Interfaith Outreach directly at (763) 489-7530 with questions. For more information on Interfaith Outreach and the new SuperShelf, visit iocp.org.
Serving Opportunities
Looking for opportunities to serve our neighbors? Check out the following organizations that are now accepting volunteers:
- Feed My Starving Children: www.fmsc.org
- Interfaith Outreach and Resale Select: www.iocp.org
- Second Harvest Heartland: www.2harvest.org
- Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers at work sites and at their ReStore locations: www.tchabitat.org
All organizations have safety protocols in place.
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 visit www.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, visit 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, visit www.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 visit www.simpsonhousing.org.
The mission of Simpson Housing Services is 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 visit www.simpsoncsm.org.
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 visit www.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, visit www.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.
