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 do 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

September Second Mile Offering: UMCOR Hurricane Ida Relief

Our September Second Mile Offering supports UMCOR’s (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Hurricane Ida Relief. UMCOR works globally to alleviate human suffering, providing humanitarian relief and disaster response in the United States and internationally. Through UMCOR, United Methodists extend care to suffering people throughout the world. UMCOR’s Promise: 100% of ALL donations go directly to disaster relief efforts. This month’s offering specifically supports UMCOR’s disaster response caused by Hurricane Ida along the Gulf Coast on August 29. For more information on UMCOR visit umcmission.org/umcor.

Give throughout the month of September, online by selecting “UMCOR Hurricane Ida Relief,” by texting a dollar amount to (763) 333-2673 and following the prompts, or by mailing a check (indicate “UMCOR Hurricane Ida Relief” in the memo) to: Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447.

Ladies Night Extravaganza at Resale Select

On Thursday, September 23, 6:30-8:30 pm Resale Select is hosting a Ladies Night Extravaganza! Bring your sisters, girlfriends, co-workers, and neighbors to this fun, casual shopping event. The Resale Select store offers unique items for women who are looking for that special purchase — all at reasonable prices. Feel good knowing your purchase provides resources to local families and kids through Interfaith Outreach programs and services. Shop in-person at their store at 1605 County Road 101 N in Plymouth or online 24/7 at resaleselect.mybigcommerce.com. For more information on Resale Select or Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.org.

Iglesia Piedra Viva (IPV) Paper Goods and Personal Products Distribution

Messiah Church is continuing our relationship with Iglesia Piedra Viva (IPV), Church of the Living Stone, with volunteers for their next item distribution event. Since its beginning, Messiah has partnered with this United Methodist Church, now serving 51 low-income families living in South Minneapolis.

Please consider volunteering for their next distribution event on Friday, September 24 at Park Avenue United Methodist Church (3400 Park Avenue, Minneapolis). Set up will start at 9:30 am, most volunteer slots start at 10 am, and distribution starts at 11 am. (Masks are recommended for all volunteers. This event will be outside, so dress for the weather.) Click here to sign up to volunteer today!

Blossoming into Tomorrow – Bloom’s Annual Fundraiser

You are invited to join us for Bloom Early Learning & Child Care’s annual fundraising event “Blossoming into Tomorrow. Invest. Nurture. Thrive.” on Friday, September 24. This year, there are three ways to participate: come in-person, join virtually, or become a Thrive Sponsor.

The evening starts at 6:30 pm with a DJ and BINGO. At 7 pm, inspirational speaker Annie Meehan and Bloom Executive Director Melissa Musliner will highlight the stories of a remarkable Bloom supporter and three very special Bloom families. Learn how you can change lives right here in our community! Then from 7:30-8 pm, don’t miss DJ & auctioneer, Kurt Johnson.

Join us in-person for a watch party at the Cinema Grill (2749 Winnetka Ave N, New Hope). In-person watch party tickets are $40/person and include a BBQ buffet, ice cream sundae, and cash bar. Register a group of 6 for $210 and save $30! (Seating is limited to 100 guests to maintain social distancing.) OR be a Thrive Sponsor (like a table sponsor) with your gift of $500. Host your own party, if you’d like, and they’ll send surprise favors! OR register for free, and attend virtually. For all the event details, and to register or donate, visit www.bloomearlylearning.org/whats-new. To learn more about Bloom, visit www.bloomearlylearning.org.

School Supplies for Refugee Families

School supplies are needed to help refugee families. Through Sunday, September 26, we are collecting these much-needed supplies: folders with pockets, wide ruled notebooks, #2 pencils, erasers, scissors, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners, crayons, pencil pouches, and backpacks. 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).

Dine-2-Donate for Imara

Imara International is teaming up with Panda Express for an online Dine-2-Donate event all day on Tuesday, September 28. It’s easy and fun to participate!

Visit the Panda Express website at www.pandaexpress.com to find a restaurant location near you.
Place your lunch or dinner order through their website or app.
Apply Imara’s event code 904985 in the coupon code box during online checkout.
Pick up your meal & enjoy.
Panda Express will donate 28% of the sales (of online orders only) during this event back to Imara International!

Imara International provides life skills for Kenyan teenage mothers and early childhood education for their children, breaking their cycle of poverty. Dine-2-Donate with Panda Express is a great way to get everyone to the table and share a meal – all for a great cause! For more information on Imara International, visit www.imarainternational.org.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Make a big difference in the lives of others by giving blood. Please consider donating blood at the American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, October 11, 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.

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.

Soles4Souls Fall Shoe Drive

Many people have used their “social distancing” time to tackle projects they’ve been meaning to do…like cleaning out closets. If that’s you, we’re guessing you’ve stumbled across some shoes you forgot you had and will never wear again. If you do, we’ll take ‘em! By donating shoes, you can give someone a life-changing opportunity. Shoes you donate get funneled to developing countries, where people start small businesses to sell them. By selling shoes, business owners have money to provide for their families, and people who need shoes the most get them at a price they can afford. By re-purposing discarded shoes you keep them out of landfills and help promote sustainability!

We’re collecting your clean, gently used shoes through Wednesday, October 13. Shoe donations can be dropped off in the marked bin at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am-4 pm). For more information on Soles4Souls, visit www.Soles4Souls.org.

Habitat for Humanity Work Days

Save the date! Messiah Church is assembling a building team for Habitat for Humanity work days on Wednesday, October 27 and Friday, October 29. More details to come on how to sign up. Contact Marv K at (218) 409-2422 with questions.

Imara International Abundance Gala

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

While 2021 has continued to be a year of challenges, Imara International has so much to celebrate and to give thanks for. They want to share that story with you! Gather with the Imara family as they celebrate the abundance they are blessed with through this continuing pandemic. Save the date for the Imara International Abundance Gala on Sunday, November 7. Join in on an online auction and program, or gather for an in-person watch party, activities and fellowship. Pre-show kicks off at 6:30 pm, and the program starts at 7 pm. Local in-person events across the US keep groups small, but an online program will make our hearts big. All the Gala details and registration will be available on Friday, October 1 at www.imarainternational.org. Imara empowers Kenyan women through education to build a self-sufficient future for themselves, their children, and their community. Help give these girls hope and healing with your attendance.

Shoebox Christmas

Shoebox Christmas gifts are packed with love for children who might not otherwise receive a holiday gift. On several Native American reservations in the Dakotas and Minnesota, up to 70% of the children would not receive gifts if not for this program and your generosity. This fall, Messiah Church will be supporting this ministry. Can you help?

We are currently collecting empty shoe boxes to prepare for this event. (Details on how to fill a box with gifts coming soon.) Empty shoe boxes can be dropped off in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am-4 pm).

Simpson Shelter is in Need

Simpson Shelter is in need of some items. Can you help? Your generosity helps Simpson continue to provide much needed services to the community. Current URGENT NEEDS include:

Kool-aid and lemonade mix – large containers preferred (please no individual packets)
Flats of bottled water
Individual microwavable meals – Cup-o-Noodles or Easy Mac
Reading glasses – all strengths
Bath towels – new or gently used
Twin size sheets – new or gently used
Twin size blankets – new or gently used
Pillows – new or gently used
Women’s crew and ankle socks
Women’s underwear – sizes 5, 6 and 7
Bras – all sizes
Men’s boxers – sizes S, M, L and XL
Men’s t-shirts – sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL
Men’s tank tops (A-shirt style) – sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL
Athletic shorts for men and women – all sizes
Shower shoes – all sizes for men and women
Razors & shaving cream
Travel-size hair care products (especially for textured or curly hair), bar soap, deodorant, and tissue packages – travel-size is preferred because Simpson guests are mobile and carry their belongings with them
Dental floss
Combs and brushes – especially for 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.

Interfaith Outreach Needs Food Shelf Volunteers

Over the past few weeks, 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.

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 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.