MISSIONS

The stated mission of the UMC is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” We do this at Central by reaching out to others in Northern Virginia, around the country, and around the world! There are some who are new in the community and feel a little lost, some who are proudly self-sufficient, and others who are in desperate circumstances. Our mission is to reach out to them, listen to them, accept them, share the gospel in word and deed, invite them into the family of faith, and joyfully receive all who will respond.

Our Missions Ministry is open to all members of the congregation who desire to serve. As members of the congregation, we’re sent into the community to serve those in need and to make our community more loving and just. We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers and guides us in these ministries and that wherever there’s need and suffering, we meet Christ, already at work.

This Summer

Drew Model School Supply Collection (July 2-August 27)

Central will once again partner with Drew Model Elementary School to collect school supplies for children in need. The school of 600 students has a free/reduced lunch rate (this is a measure of financial need) of 75-80% and can use our support. In the past, the response to the project was overwhelming. Last year we were able to deliver over $2,200 of supplies to the school. You can either bring in items or cash, which will be given directly to the school to use for various items they may need throughout the year. In addition we will be collecting underwear and socks for the 3-5 year olds. Beginning on July 2, there will be collections bins at the church entrances to make your donations. The items will be blessed during the August 27 service and delivered to the school. Please see supply list provided by Drew Model for a detailed item list.

Ongoing Mission Opportunity

Clothing Collection for ASPAN

On an ongoing basis we are collecting gently used clothing collection for A-SPAN (Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network). These items will be distributed to our brothers and sisters that we serve on Friday mornings during our homeless ministry at the church.

2016 Past Events

Oral Rehydration Project (March)
On Sunday, March 6 nine volunteers from Central joined the Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandra to participate in the annual Oral Rehydration Project. Over 15,000 of these life-saving kits were prepared by hundreds of volunteers from various religious and volunteer organizations throughout the area. The kits included salt, sugar, baking soda and potassium. When mixed with water, these kits are often the only thing that prevents a child from dying from dehydration.

UMCOR Health Kits (May)
The Young Adults led the charge on collecting contents and assembling Health Kits for UMCOR during the month of May. These health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster, and the kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition, and cooking classes. The goal was to assemble at least 100 Health Kids to deliver to UMCOR. The congregation far exceeded the goal and 184 Health Kits were delivered!

Arlington Food Assistance Center Cereal Drive (June – August)

School is officially out for summer. Summer break is a particularly tough time for thousands of families in Arlington. Schools are out and students who would normally receive free or reduced meals do not have access to that food, including low sugar cereals. As a result, these families increasingly turn to AFAC to meet their nutritional needs. According to AFAC, cereal flies off their shelves. If they had the inventory, they could go through more than 2,000 boxes each week!

Let’s do our part to help. Please bring your cereal donations weekly through the end of August. All cereal collected during these months will be taken directly to AFAC every Monday. If you prefer, you can make a monetary donation and the cereal will be purchased for you.

School Supply Collection for Drew Model Elementary (July and August)

Central will once again partner with Drew Model Elementary School to collect school supplies for children in need. The school of 600 students has a free/reduced lunch rate (this is a measure of financial need) of 75-80% and can use our support. In the past, the response to the project was overwhelming. Last year we were able to deliver over $2,200 of supplies to the school. We also collected and donated underwear and socks for the 3-5 year olds and we will do the same this year. Beginning on July 3, there will be collections bins at the church entrances to make your donations. The items will be blessed during the 8/28 service and delivered to the school. Please see the supply list provided by Drew Model for item details.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who supported our summer missions projects – the school supply drive for Drew Model Elementary and the summer cereal drive for AFAC. Because of your generosity Central donated over 125 pounds of cereal for those in need. Approximately $1,500 worth of school supplies were delivered to Drew Model in addition to cash that will be used to assist students throughout the year.

Dr. Bear’s Closet December 2016

Central is once again collect items for Dr. Bear’s Closet at the Children’s National Medical Center. CNMC treats over 300,000 sick children each year. Dr. Bear’s Closet provides new toys, games and art supplies to the children. Items will be delivered in late December prior to the Christmas holiday.

See the list of donation suggestions and guidelines, and consider making a donation to brighten a child's hospital visit!

2015 Past Events

School Supply Drive for Drew Model
A big THANK YOU to everyone who supported the school supply drive for Drew Model Elementary! Catharina Genove is the Assistant Principal at Drew Model. She said ‘Thanks so much for supporting Drew again. We have been so lucky to have you!’

Because of your generosity we collected over $1,800 worth of supplies and donations. These supplies will be used throughout the year to make sure that the kids have all that they need to succeed in the classroom.

Oral Rehydration Project (March)
On Sunday, March 15 eleven volunteers from Central joined the Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandra to participate in the annual Oral Rehydration Project. Over 15,000 of these life-saving kits were prepared by hundreds of volunteers from various religious and volunteer organizations throughout the area. The kits included salt, sugar, baking soda and potassium. When mixed with water, these kits are often the only thing that prevents a child from dying from dehydration. A special thank you to Amanda Basta who took the lead in coordinating this project for us.

Visit the link here to read the Missions Report about the Oral Rehydration Project held in early 2013.

Support Baltimore (May)
After a week of unrest in Baltimore, there were a number of underserved communities that were in need of assistance and Central stepped up! As a congregation, we collected much-needed items including diapers, non-perishable food items and paper products. With the assistance of Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, Pastor at Hampden United Methodist in Baltimore, the items were delivered to Ames Memorial United Methodist Church in West Baltimore, the area in most need. Thank you and God Bless to everyone who took the time to help our neighbors to the north.