Outreach

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Messiah provides support to a variety of agencies, such as the Battered Women’s Shelter, the Homeless Shelter, and the Salvation Army, including collecting food for the Food Pantry administered by the Salvation Army.  Messiah sponsors an annual blood drive and supports Red Ribbon Week.

PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND FOR THE NEEDY

This fund, donated by members, provides funds to the needy in our area and is distributed by the pastor as needs arise.  These needs might be to provide overnight housing in a local motel, gasoline for trips to the hospital, and financial help with utilities and rent.  This fund has also given money to help buy work clothes and tools for those with new jobs,  a baby crib for a newborn,  and even parts for car repairs.

EXTENDED MINISTRY (ENDOWMENT FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH)

The Extended Ministry Fund is Messiah’s endowment fund.  Interest earned from the investments of this fund is distributed annually to local “outreach ministries”,  to ministries of the Evangelical Church in America, and to building and capital needs of the congregation’s facilities.  Investment oversight is provided by a committee appointed by the Congregation Council.  And decisions for distribution of assets are made annually by the Congregation Council.

SOCIAL MINISTRY AND THEIR ACTIVITIES

This ministry provides avenues for members to offer hands-on help to persons both within and outside the congregation.  The list of these activities is enormous and reflects the caring nature of the members of the church.  Activities range from blood donation to gathering mittens for children to doing yard work and in-home chores, including transportation to medical appointments.

PHEBE HOSPITAL AND SCHOOL

Through member Carolyn Miller, who for over 20 years served as a nurse at Phebe Hospital in Liberia, Messiah has personal, financial, and other supportive contacts with this vital hospital facility and school, including the rolling of bandages.  Many barrels of medical supplies are packed here each year and shipped to Liberia.  Many members also help provide educational scholarships for young students in the area.

MISSION SUPPORT

Members of Messiah support the World Hunger Appeal, Disaster Relief, clothing drives, blanket drives, the CROP Walk, and the Global Mission Event each summer.  The group known as the “Piecemakers” creates about 100 lovely quilts each year for distribution around the world.  The group has recently spawned yet another group of quilt makers which meets in the evenings.

Messiah at the Hive Day: