Are you looking for a life-changing experience? Would you like to help others?

We have opportunities that welcome caring hearts and hands of all ages. Check out the ministries on this page. If you’d like to learn more, contact Kathy Lefler, Director of Lay Ministries, at Kathy@ehumc.org or 682-6518.

Missions for all Ages

	Crafting for Christ
	Mission:	Reaching out to people who are struggling, lonely or in need of an enjoyable diversion.
	Who:	Children, SeniorCitizens, Hospitalized Veterns and others.
	How:	Creating craft kits for others to use.
	Commitment:	We often visit nursing homes and the Wichita Children’s Home to make crafts.

	VA Outreach
	Mission:	Fellowship and ministry with those who serve our country.
	Who:	Veterans at the Robert Dole Veterans Administration Facility.
	How:	Visit those at the facility and play BINGO or billiards, make crafts, decorate for the holidays.
	Commitment:	One or Two hours per month.

	United Methodist Open Door Food Pantry
	Mission:	Help feed the hungry.
	Who:	Needy persons in the Wichita Area.
	How:	Collect food on a monthly basis to be distrubuted by United Methodist Open Door (UMOD) in Wichita. Promote East Heights' annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for UMOD.
	Commitment:	Minutes - Take a minute at the grocery store to pick up an extra food item to donate, or get more involved by delivering food to UMOD on a monthly basis.

	Sack Lunch for Homeless
	Mission:	To prepare over 100 sack lunches for distribution to the homeless that gather at the United Methodist Open Door drop-in center. Meets on the second Wednesday of each month.
	Commitment:	90 minutes

	Annual Backpack and School Supplies Drive
	Mission:	Shopping for a new backpack and filling it with school supplies is an end-of-summer tradition for most students. however, children living in foster homes often don't have this opportunity.
	Who:	Children living in foster care.
	How:	Shopping for school supplies. Financial donations are also welcome.
	Commitment:	Minutes - Take a minute at the store to pick up extra supplies for another child.

	Christmas Sharing Tree
	Mission:	To provide Christmas gifts for foster children.
	Who:	Children living in foster homes.
	How:	In November, you’re invited to take an “ornament” from the Christmas tree at the church and purchase one of the gifts listed. Return the unwrapped gift to the church and it will be given to a child living in foster care.

Missions for Age 16 and UP - under 16 welcome with parent/guardian

 

	Saturday Meal for Homeless
	Mission:	Ensure the city's hungry recieve a warm, nourishing meal on a saturday.
	Who:	Support of about 100 homeless people at United Methodist Open Door.
	How:	Shop, prepare and serve a meal on one Saturday every other month.
	Commitment:	Shoppers: 1 Hour (on preceding Thursday) Cooks: 1.5 Hours (9:30-11:00 AM Saturday) Serve & Cleanup: 2.5 Hours

	Costa Rica Mission Trip
	Mission:	Enriching lives through Christian mission.
	Who:	people living in Costa Rica.
	How:	Help with light construction, sewing and crafts, teach Vacation Bible School. One day is spent on recreation/ sight seeing.
	Commitments:	Nine days in January
	Cost:	$1,000 per person - Scholarships are available.

	Handyman Repair Team
	Mission:	Make minor repairs around the church and at the homes of our elderly and shut-in members.
	How:	People that need assistance or know someone that needs assistance can contact Kathy Lefler at 682-6518
	Commitment:	Varies with project.

	Habitat for Humanity
	Mission:	Help build decent, affordable housing for families with need through partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
	Who:	Families who meet Habitat's eligibility guidelines in the Wichita area.
	How:	Church workdays are scheduled throughout the year. Participants include men, women and youth (Habitat requires youth to be age 16+). Construction experience is not required. Training and tools provided at the worksite.
	Commitments:	Four hours on a Saturday (morning or afternoon).

	Tutoring Ministry
	Mission:	Give students one-on-one attention to help them succeed in school.
	Who:	Disadvantaged students at Jefferson Elementary School (Orme and Oliver)
	How:	Help students with reading and math, play games and listening to them. Training of volunteers is provided through the school district. Regular and substitute tutors are needed.
	Commitments:	one hour per week during the school year. Thursday afternoons from 4:15-5:15 PM or during lunchtime.

	Fun with Friends Respite Care
	Mission:	Provide some much-needed time off for parents or caregivers of special needs children.
	Who:	Church members and others in our community who have special needs children.
	How:	Host a Respite Care afternoon at the church one Sunday each quarter (February, May, September, December). Parents and caregivers are invited to drop off their children (special needs and siblings) for an afternoon of games, crafts and snacks. Experience with special needs children not required.
	Commitments:	Four hours (1 PM- 5 PM)    Note: Boundary Awareness Training and back ground checks are required.

Missions for Youth

Middle School Mission Trip - Middle School youth participate in a mission trip one week every summer, reaching out to those in need and growing in faith. Contact: Paige Nelson 682-6518

Mountain T.O.P - High School youth spend 10 days in July helping to meet the physical, spiritual, social and emotional needs of the people living in the Tennessee Cumberland Mountians. The ministry also offers youth a time to grow in their faith. Contact: Paige Nelson 682-6518, paige@ehumc.org

United Methodist Women

East Heights United Methodist Women offer a variety of mission opportunities. If you'd like to know more, contact: Carolyn Kretzer, cgkretzer@msn.com or pick up a brochure in Fellowship Lobby.

Other Mission Opportunities

United Methodist Open Door - Provides services to the homeless and poor in Wichita and an eight county area. Services include food, clothing, day shelter for the homeless, transitional housing and other programs. Volunteer opportunities abound for individuals, families and students needing community service hours. Service can be on a one-time basis, monthly, weekly, daily or whatever schedule best fits your life. For more information or to volunteer, contact United Methodist Open Door at 267-4201 or visit their website at www.umopendoor.org.

GraceMed Health Clinic - GraceMed is a ministry of the United Methodist Church serving people in the Wichita area that have no other access to health care. It provides both medical and dental care to more than 32,000 people annualy. In addition to finnancial contributions, donations of surplus equipment and supplies are also welcomed. there are also various work projects through the year for those wanting to donate time. Call 866-2069 for more information or visit their website at www.gracemed.org.