Mission Work at Lewis Center

At Lewis Center UMC, missions is more than a project or an event, but a core part of our foundation as a church. Below, you will find ways to be a part of our church community as we find ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. 

opportunities to serve

We hope you will join us in serving others in the name of Jesus. Please contact the Missions Team at missions@lewiscenterumc.org with any questions regarding any of the opportunities listed below.

Monthly Mission - ALPHA RECOVERY

The United Methodist Committee on Relief – UMCOR – assists United Methodists and churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need.  This month we will be supporting UMCOR's US Disaster Response and Recovery efforts. When disaster strikes, it is local churches that provide the first response to their communities. This basic understanding—that disaster response is local—forms the foundation for UMCOR’s US disaster training and response. When responding to a disaster in the United States, UMCOR provides training, financial assistance, expertise, community collaboration to churches and partners making them more resilient to disasters. UMCOR is actively supporting local relief efforts in response to Hurricane Helene.

For online giving, select Monthly Missions. If you would prefer to bring/send a check - designate it to November Monthly Mission or Alpha Recovery.

PIN HOLIDAY CLEARING HOUSE - 70th ANNIVERSARY COATS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

There are 1,362 children registered for the 70th annual PIN Holiday Clearing House and our church is honored to be leading the Coat Land part of the event again this year. We are down to 677 more brand-new coats that are needed.  If you are interested in purchasing a brand-new winter coat - please check out the sign-up list to see what sizes are needed. Coats can be brought to the church between November 24 and December 8.  If you would prefer to purchase brand-new hats/gloves, those are welcome as well and adult sizes are typically needed most. 

Volunteer registration for the PIN Holiday Clearing House is open.  Please visit the sign-up to help in Coat Land (or any of the other areas of the event). Volunteer opportunities in Coat Land will begin December 7 and will wrap up on Distribution Day (December 15) when the parents/guardians will be coming through to pick out coats, hats, and gloves for their children. Would love to have you be part of this holiday ministry!

Please contact Annie Johnston (annie10ou@gmail.com or 330-329-2424) with any questions.

Common Ground Free Store is a warm, welcoming place where basic material needs – clothing, shoes, household goods, linens, toys, personal care items, diapers, wipes, and prepared meals – are available to anyone for free. Below are different ways we can help support their good work.

• Find out more info here about how you can cook or donate food to help the Free Store continue to provide approximately 100 meals, every time they are open.

• Fill out this application form to register as a volunteer and sign-up to help.

• Donate new or used items for the free store.

  • Click here to find out what they do/don’t accept and when donations are accepted.

  • Most Needed Items: Brand new socks, underwear, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, razors, toilet paper, and size 5 and 6 diapers.

  • Check out their Amazon wish list and ship things directly to them!

Our church has supported the United Methodist Church For All People (C4AP) ministry for more than 10 years by providing breakfast to those in need on the second Sunday of each month. Each Sunday, we will need 6 volunteers to help provide the food and 4-10 volunteers to help serve breakfast.  Please review the volunteer categories and sign-up for as many Sundays as you can in 2024 to support this important mission of the church.

• Volunteer A: Pick up other volunteer's items from LCUMC at 7:15AM (if needed) and provide 3 hot casseroles & 30 cereal or fruit bars

• Volunteer B: Provide 3 hot casseroles (or 40 breakfast sandwiches from White Castle) & 2 gallons of chocolate milk

• Volunteer C: Provide 3 dozen (36) hardboiled eggs, 2 gal orange juice, & 5 lbs of bananas

• Volunteer D: Provide 3 dozen (36) hard boiled eggs, 40 pudding cups, & 1 gallon of chocolate milk

• Volunteer E: Provide 3 large boxes of cereal & 2 gallons of white milk

• Volunteer F: Provide 2 hot casseroles & 5 lbs of oranges

On behalf of those in need who are served at Church for All People, we thank you for your generous gift of time and meals. 

Some of our church members serve as Food Pantry volunteers at People In Need.  Jobs include sorting incoming donations, checking dates, preparing groceries for pick-up orders, and assisting clients in shopping in the PIN grocery store.  Available morning shifts are Monday-Friday from 9AM-12PM.  Afternoon shifts are from 1-4:30PM on Monday-Thursday and from 1-3PM on Friday. You must be 18 or older to volunteer in the food pantry and can commit to volunteering once a week, once a month, or as their schedule permits.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer - click here for more information. 

"The world is my parish." - John Wesley