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 Table in our lobby. For more information, contact Linda Seaton, Missions Committee Co-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
Second Mile Offering
Our October Second Mile Offering supports UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on 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 Promise: 100% of ALL donations go directly to disaster relief efforts. This month’s offering specifically supports UMCOR’s disaster response ministries in the Bahamas caused by Hurricane Dorian on September 3, 2019. For more information on UMCOR visit www.umcmission.org/umcor.
Give throughout the month of October, online by selecting “Second Mile Offering,” in worship with cash or checks designated for UMCOR, or text the word “Funds” to (763) 333-2673 and follow the prompts.
Pack a Box of Love!
Christmas Shoeboxes (in partnership with Spirit Lake Ministry Center) are packed with love for children in the Dakotas and Minnesota who might not otherwise receive a holiday gift. Pre-wrapped shoeboxes are available in the Missions area in the lobby, or wrap your own box…and start filling! Simple instructions and labels are included in each pre-wrapped box, or click on the links to download and print at home. This is a fun project for both kids & adults! Filled boxes are due back to Messiah on Saturday, October 26 at 9 am. Contact Shirley with questions or visit SpiritLakeMinistryCenter.org.
Bloom/Messiah Community Dinner
Join us around the dinner table as we continue to build relationships between the Messiah and Bloom communities. We invite you to serve and eat dinner at, or donate food for, a dinner Messiah is hosting for Bloom. Help bless the Bloom families, teachers and staff at the next dinner on Tuesday, October 29 in Heritage Hall, from 4:30-6:30 pm (during Bloom pick-up time).
Click here to sign up to serve or donate food. For more information, contact Kami Pohl at kpohl@messiahchurch.org.
Women with Purpose
Are you a young woman between 25-45 looking to get more involved in our community? Are you a busy west metro gal looking for quick but impactful ways to build your network and give back? Join Women with Purpose and together we can:
- Create a network of women passionate about the work of Interfaith Outreach
- Make a powerful difference in our community while supporting local families and kids who use Interfaith Outreach services to stabilize, strengthen and thrive
- Experience hands-on learning and giving back through service projects each quarter
Interested in joining? The next meeting is Tuesday, October 29, 6-7:30 pm at Interfaith Outreach at 1605 County Road 101 N., Plymouth. They will be packing “Care Kits” for homeless families for this quarter’s service project. Contact Jill at (763) 489-7512 to learn more about Women with Purpose.
74 Sponsors Still Needed for Interfaith Outreach’s Holiday Gift Program
Each year, Interfaith Outreach‘s Holiday Gift Program matches 500 local families in need with sponsors who provide gifts or financial support for gifts in December. Can you help make the holidays a little brighter for our neighbors? Visit iocp.org/holidaygift to learn more, become a sponsor or volunteer:
- Become a Sponsor – Sponsor registration is open. You will be matched with a family or individual by late October and provided with the family’s wish list. Or, make a financial donation and the shopping will be done for you! Learn more and sign up at iocp.org/holidaygift.
- Volunteer – Holiday Gift Program is 100% volunteer-led. Can you volunteer to help with family registration in October and November and distribution in December? View shifts and sign up at iocp.org/holidaygift.
Behold: Imara International’s 8th Annual Gala
Join us for the 8th Annual Imara International Gala and annual fundraiser on Sunday, November 3, 5:30-8:30 pm, Sheraton Minneapolis West, 12201 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka. Come for dinner, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, Kenyan Market, keynote speaker & Kenyan Board Member Beatrice Odongo, Imara’s Executive Director Carol Erickson…and a few “surprises!” 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. Tickets for the evening are $60 each (includes a $15 donation) or $400 for tables of 8. Click here to RSVP by Saturday, October 26. For Gala questions, contact Kathy. For more information on Imara, visit www.imarainternational.org.
God is a God of Beauty!
Are you a visual person? Do you observe beauty around you and have a knack for creating visual interest, beauty, coordination, and order in your home, yard or clothing? God may be calling you to share these gifts at Messiah Church! The Worship Arts team uses these kinds of gifts to appoint, decorate and make the sanctuary and church more visually worshipful and spiritually beautiful. God is a God of beauty!
Please join us as we attack two projects this season: Decorating the church for Advent and assembling the 5 scenes that bring the Living Nativity to life! Most of the materials are already in “the house,” – we just need your artful eye and serving spirit to bring these projects to life! If you are a leader with these skills, there are opportunities for leadership in these areas too.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Saturday, November 9, 9 am: Work as a team to inventory the 5 Living Nativity scenarios to see what we have, what needs replacing and what we need to acquire.
- Saturday, November 23, 9 am: Pull out Christmas items to inventory what to use for Advent/Christmas 2019.
- Sunday, November 24, 11:45 am-1 pm after Journey worship: Pull out Christmas items and set-up trees.
- Saturday, November 30, 9 am: Work with delivered poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for Advent.
- Saturday, December 7, 9 am: Add additional poinsettias to the sanctuary and atrium to complete our Advent décor.
Email or speak to Joy Ann, Joan, or Mike if your interest is piqued! Your vision and creativity is valued and appreciated!
Donate Holiday Food to the Food Shelf
Help families celebrate the holidays by donating special food items to Interfaith Outreach’s food shelf. Food like a bag of potatoes, collard greens, box of stuffing, or applesauce can make the holidays memorable for families in need. Click here to download the full list of most-needed holiday items. Donations can be brought to Interfaith Outreach at 1605 County Road 101 N., Plymouth, Monday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm.
Holiday Food Drop-off Deadlines:
- Saturday, November 16 (for Thanksgiving meals)
- Saturday, December 7 (for Christmas meals)
- Saturday, December 14 (for Hanukkah meals)
Community Prayer Breakfast
Join your friends, neighbors, and Interfaith Outreach to celebrate the 40-year journey of our community’s generous response to God’s call to build a kingdom of love and justice. Be inspired by stories of the lived faith, prayer and action that on a daily basis light up The Miracle of Community. Join us for a morning of reflection and inspiration on Thursday, November 21, 7:15-9 am at the Wayzata Country Club, 200 Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata. The event includes breakfast, music from local musicians and readings by local faith leaders. The cost is $20. Click here to register.
Simpson Shelter is in Need
The daytime temperatures are falling. Can you imagine spending much of your day in the cold temps without the resources to be warm? Let’s help prepare Simpson Shelter to meet their guests’ winter needs. As always, personal care items are welcomed and appreciated, but preparing for colder months is our focus:
- Clothing: new men’s & women’s long underwear (all sizes), new men’s & women’s underwear (all sizes), new men’s & women’s warm white socks, and new women’s bras
- Winter Gear: disposable hand & foot warmers, waterproof mittens/gloves, waterproof hats, and scarves (while knitting talents are very much appreciated, the extra warmth and moisture barrier that the waterproof items provide is necessary)
- Winter Coats: Simpson has a nominal need for winter coats, as other agencies in the Twin Cities provide this necessity. However, if you have one that is nearly new and laundered, contact Lavinia about donating.
- Personal Care: lip balm and lotion
- Food: hot cocoa, coffee, and oatmeal packets
Did you know? The Dollar Tree in Medina stocks many personal care items. Or shop Simpson Shelter’s Amazon Wish List. Shop from home and items are sent directly to them.
All items can be placed in the Simpson Shelter basket outside of Heritage Hall. Contact Lavinia with questions. For more information on Simpson Housing Services visit www.simpsonhousing.org.
Host Sunday Morning Coffee
Hosting Sunday morning coffee is a vital part of our hospitality and connection ministry at Messiah Church, creating a welcoming space for people to connect and linger with each other after worship over a cup of coffee, a treat and conversation. Would you check your calendar and consider signing up to serve as a Coffee Host for 8:45 am or 10:30 am service on one or more Sundays? Contact Kami Pohl at kpohl@messiahchurch.org or (763) 473-6968 ext. 114 with questions.
Plug In as an Adult Leader with Messiah Youth
We’re looking for awesome adults (ages 19-99) to serve with Messiah Youth Ministry. Being a leader in Messiah Youth Ministry looks like…lots of pizza, Oreos, getting to know awesome teenagers, celebrating when they pass their permit test, being excited when the braces come off their teeth, learning about Jesus together, serving the community, weird games, connections to Disney movies you’d never think to make, praying together for their friends who are struggling, introducing a new generation to the original Karate Kid, DIY Escape Rooms, charades, Starburst, helping choose shoes for Prom, cheering them on at choir concerts and band concerts and football games and plays, watching teenagers grow in their faith, growing in your faith, being part of something that’ll leave a lasting impact in the lives of everyone involved…Who wouldn’t want to be part of this?!
We really need help for Wednesday Night programming (6:30ish-8 pm), every week, or every-other week/twice a month.
Contact Sami Tierney, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, at stierney@messiahchurch.org for more information. Click here to learn more about Youth at Messiah.
Seeking a Piano Player for Journey Contemporary Worship
The Journey Contemporary Worship Team is looking for a piano player for rehearsals and Sunday worship at 10:30 am. Whom do you know who would enjoy a fabulous opportunity for an outlet for their musical ability? No need to be a member of Messiah Church – we love all musicians who love to use their music to glorify God. Contact Joy Ann Harmon, Director of Worship, at jharmon@messiahchurch.org for more information. Click here to learn more about all Music at Messiah.
Interfaith Outreach Needs Volunteers
Are you seeking a fun and fulfilling way to give back in the community? Interfaith Outreach is looking for volunteers and they’d love your help! Interested? Click here to sign up for a “New Volunteer” meeting to learn more. Contact their Community Engagement team at getinvolved@iocp.org with any questions. Current needs include:
- Volunteer Donation Receiver for resale store and food shelf
- Employment Computer Lab Attendant
- Client Services Volunteer at their reception desk
Interfaith Outreach Birthday Shelf Needs Teen Gifts
The Interfaith Outreach Birthday Shelf is low on gifts for kids ages 13-18. Some donation ideas include:
- Sports items (footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, etc.)
- Gift cards (Starbucks, Caribou, Target, Best Buy, AMC Theater, etc.)
- Party plates and napkins for all ages
- Frosting for birthday cakes for all ages
Please bring your donations to Interfaith Outreach at 1605 County Road 101 N., Plymouth. Donations are accepted Monday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm.
Serve as a Mentor Supporting Healthy Development & Growth of our Kids
Interfaith Outreach is recruiting mature high school students and adults to work with elementary, middle or high school youth in our community. Programs include after school homework help, mentoring or activity clubs. Weekly commitment. Interested? Click here to sign up for a new volunteering meeting to learn more.
- Teen Mentor (group setting; evenings 2-4 times a month)
- Child Care Volunteer (variety of locations)
- Meal Provider or Host (for parent education programs; evenings)
- After-school Mentor (working with elementary students)
- Literacy Program (working with elementary students)
Contact Interfaith Outreach’s Community Engagement team at getinvolved@iocp.org with questions or to find what best suits your passion and availability!
Local Missions
Bloom Early Learning & Child Care
Bloom is an accredited, award-winning, non-profit 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 non-profit 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 non-profit 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 non-profit 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 non-profit 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.
