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

September Second Mile Offering: The Dignity Center

Our September Second Mile Offering supports The Dignity Center. The Dignity Center, an interfaith outreach ministry of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, welcomes and supports nearly 30 people each day dealing with financial and housing insecurity on their path to stability. Through a team of trained volunteers, The Dignity Center works one-on-one with people to build relationships, helps them to set goals toward greater self-sufficiency and stability, and develops and implements a plan to reach those goals. For more information on The Dignity Center, visit haumc.org/dignity.

You can offer your support for The Dignity Center throughout the month of September through a monetary donation, volunteering, and/or donating much needed items:

• Give online by selecting “The Dignity Center,” texting the word “FUNDS” to (763) 333-2673 and following the prompts, or mail a check (indicate “The Dignity Center” in the memo) to: Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447.
• Volunteer at The Dignity Center – Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 9-11:30 am. Contact Jess B for more information.
• Donate hygiene items used by Dignity Center clients: hand towels (new or gently used), wash cloths (new or gently used), bar soap (regular, travel, or hotel sizes), toothbrushes, toothpaste (regular or travel size), men’s razors, deodorant (men’s or women’s; regular or travel size), shaving cream (travel size), shampoo (travel/hotel size), conditioner (travel/hotel size), lotion (travel/hotel size), feminine wipes (travel size), nail clippers, sunscreen, and gallon-sized Ziplock bags. Item donations will be collected through Sunday, September 24 and 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).

 

Special Offering: Hurricane Disaster Relief in Florida & Wildfire Disaster Relief in Hawaii

We are collecting a special offering for hurricane disaster relief in Florida and wildfire disaster relief in Hawaii through 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’s Promise: 100% of ALL donations go directly to disaster relief efforts. This special offering specifically supports UMCOR’s humanitarian relief and recovery in Florida (caused by Hurricane Idalia on August 30) and in Maui, Hawaii (caused by wildfires on August 8). Give online by selecting “Disaster Relief,” or mail a check (indicate “Disaster Relief” in the memo) to: Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447. For more information on UMCOR and their response in Florida and Hawaii, visit umcmission.org/umcor-us-latest-responses.

 

Home-Grown Produce

Interfaith Outreach and ICA food shelves are valuable resources to local families. These organizations are committed to providing a wide variety of healthy, nutritious food to our neighbors. Do you have a home garden or participating in a community garden? Please consider sharing your harvest and supporting local families this summer!

Home-grown produce is an incredible joy to those who utilize the food shelves. All sorts of vegetables, herbs, and fruits are welcome in any size donation – bring a handful or a bushel!

As your garden’s bounty arrives, please drop off your donation 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; or ICA Food Shelf (11588 K-Tel Dr, Minnetonka) during their donation hours: Mondays 10 am-6:30 pm, Tuesdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Wednesdays 9 am-3:30 pm, Thursdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Fridays 10 am-12 pm, and Saturdays 10 am-12 pm (1st & 3rd Saturdays only). For more information on the Interfaith Outreach food shelf, visit www.iocp.org/outreach-services/food-shelf. For more information on the ICA food shelf, visit www.icafoodshelf.org.

 

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-Thursday 9 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-12 pm).

 

Literacy Volunteers at Oakwood Elementary

Do you have a passion for helping students learn to love to read? Consider joining the Literacy Volunteer Program for the 2023-2024 school year! The Literacy Volunteer Program is a reading program that 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 a week during the school day, November through May. Each volunteer is matched to a specific school and then a single student at that school, with whom they read for the entire school year. Click here for more information, or to sign up. If you have questions about this program, contact Julie Menk, Volunteer Specialist at Wayzata Schools, at (763) 745-5207 or julie.menk@wayzataschools.org.

 

Bloom Bash 2023: Building Better Futures Together

You are invited to the Bloom Early Learning & Child Care “Bloom Bash” fundraiser on Friday, September 29 in the Grand Ballroom at Medina Entertainment Center (500 Hwy 55, Medina). It’s a new location, a new theme, and a fun new format! Enjoy a memorable evening of entertainment, activities, great food, chances to win great prizes, and most of all – a celebration and fundraiser for Bloom Early Learning. It’s a party with a cause and it won’t be the same without you! The evening starts at 6 pm with heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert table, cash bar, music & dancing, fun raffles*, and interactive games*. At 8 pm, enjoy a live auction and program highlighting Bloom families. The entire evening is hosted by Comedian Stevie Ray with music entertainment by Brian Lansing of Mic Drop Entertainment. (*Remember to bring cash so you can play all the games and participate in the raffles!)

Tickets are $100 each or $700 for tables of 8. For all the event details, and to purchase tickets or make a donation, visit www.bloomearlylearning.org/whats-new. To learn more about Bloom, visit www.bloomearlylearning.org. For questions about the event, call Bloom at (612) 462-0206.

 

Re-Member End-of-Season Celebration

You’re invited to the Re-Member End-of-Season Celebration on Saturday, October 7 from 4:30-8:15 pm at the Medina Entertainment Center (500 Hwy 55, Medina). Enjoy a delicious plated dinner, browse Oglala Lakota arts and crafts for sale, learn more about Re-Member’s work in 2023 and preview their 2024 season, hear words of encouragement from the Pine Ridge community, and meet and greet Re-Member staff and volunteers. It’s a special night of fellowship, gratitude, and celebration of 25 years of service to the Oglala Lakota Nation.

Please RSVP by Thursday, September 28. Tickets for the evening are $75 each ($20 is tax deductible). For all the event details, and to purchase tickets or make a donation, visit www.re-member.org/annual-banquet. To learn more about Re-Member, visit www.re-member.org. Contact Kay S with questions about the event or Messiah’s ongoing partnership with Re-Member.

 

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 Monday, October 9, 12-6 pm in Heritage Hall. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “MessiahPlym” to schedule an appointment or click here.

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.

 

Make a Difference Days 2023

Join us October 13, 14 and 15 for Make a Difference Days 2023! We’re deploying servants all weekend 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:

• Friday, October 13 – Second Harvest Heartland
• Saturday, October 14 – Feed My Starving Children
• Sunday, October 15 – Midwest Mission Student Kit Packing

Click here for more information on each serving opportunity, and to sign up today!

 

Help Support the Amini Family

For the past year, Messiah Church has been supporting the Amini family (immigrants from Afghanistan) as they adjust to life in Minnesota. This family of four lives in an apartment in Hopkins near the Knollwood shopping area. Volunteers are needed to help them with transportation to the grocery store every Saturday from 2-3:30 pm. Can you help? Click here to sign up. For more information on assisting this family, please contact Mickey E.

 

Ways to Help Simpson Shelter

Can you help with some much-needed items for Simpson Shelter? Current urgent needs include:

• Hair care products for natural, textured, or curly hair
• Men’s undershirts and boxers
• Women’s bras and briefs
• Hair ties
• Hot sauce
• Coffee
• 12″ commercial immersion blender

Simpson is currently only accepting these specific items. 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. Lavinia can also answer questions about appropriate items to donate.

For more information on Simpson Shelter, visit simpsonhousing.org. Instructions for monetary donations, links for shopping their Amazon Wish List or Target Wish List, and a complete list of current urgent needs can all be found here.

 

Calling all Knitters & Crocheters

Messiah’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is seeking knitters and crocheters to make handmade shawls that the Congregational Care Team will distribute to those they serve through prayer, care, visits, and compassionate support. Through a grant from Messiah’s Living Ministry Endowment, yarn has been purchased for these shawls. Patterns are available for both knitting and crocheting. If you are interested in learning more or getting started, please contact Heather Felt at hfelt@messiahchurch.org or Margaret D.

 

Decluttering? Donate to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Looking to donate large items (or a large quantity of items) but don’t have a vehicle big enough to transport them? Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore can come to you! All you have to do is request a pickup. Here’s how:

1. Review the list of items they accept for donation at restore.tchabitat.org/donate
2. Let them know what you’re donating
3. Select your preferred pickup date
4. Enter pickup address and item location
5. On the day of pickup, place your items outside of your home. They’ll take care of the rest! (And you’ll receive a 20% off coupon to use at the ReStore!)

For questions about this service, please contact Habitat for Humanity directly at (612) 588-3820. Do not drop off donations at Messiah. For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org.

 

Volunteer at Interfaith Outreach

Interfaith Outreach is a valuable resource to our community, addressing critical needs of our neighbors. Volunteers are always needed at the food shelf and Resale Select store. 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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

Serving Opportunities

Looking for other opportunities to serve our neighbors this fall? Check out the following organizations:

• 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

 

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