The purpose of the Missions Ministry is to encourage the people of Harmony UMC to contribute to missionary service under the direction of God. The Missions Committee will work to make the greatest use of the Lord’s resources for mission efforts by supporting donations/collections and outreach/Mission Trips in three areas: Local, Domestic US, and International.
Harmony UMC has a passion for leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We are committed to serve inside and outside of our church walls. We believe when people engage in service, it leads new friendships, life changing experiences and growth in your relationship with Jesus.
The Missions Committee maintains mission policy, plans for mission opportunities and projects, develops and promotes means for involvement in missions, monitors activities of missionaries, and manages the mission’s budget. The work of the Missions Committee supports Harmony Church and coordinates with other ministries and committees within the church.
Mission Committee Members
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- Joann Ballard
- Amy Beckwith
- Tracy Cody
- Sharon Evick
- Judy Fry
- Pam McAfee
- Michelle McCann
- Will McCann (youth member)
- Mary Preston
- Roxanne Tipton – Chairperson
Harmony Mission Policy and Proposal Application process
In an effort to better communicate and coordinate mission initiatives/activities in the church, we have put together a process to bring forth new mission opportunities.
QUARTERLY MISSION EVENTS
THE AMAZING COLLECTION QUARTER
(May through June)
If you have ever heard of the Amazing Race then you may know it’s a TV show where people race around the world. This quarter at Harmony, our collections will be just like the Amazing Race. Our collections will be reaching many places, providing basic needs to those in need in just three months.
The collections are many but in reality, this is just a snapshot of the many needs that exist. What are you most passionate about and to whom would you like to donate to? The choice is yours so let your heart lead you. Should anyone prefer to make a financial donation in support of any of these collections, please make your check payable to Harmony UMC and write the name of the organization you wish to donate to on the memo line. Additional information (list of items) will be provided as we approach the collection dates.
May 12th-May 24th: Mosaic Virginia Baby Bottle Campaign Collection
We will be collecting donations for those who face pregnancy challenges in Loudoun County. Mosaic Virginia is a safe place where those facing important decisions can find a listening ear, acceptance, compassion, responses to questions, and heal relationships.
May 26th-June 7th: Supplies for Kits for Conference Collection
We will be collecting school and health supplies for kits that will be sent around the world. The contents of each of these “starter sets” are such simple, small things — pencils, tablets, wash cloths, latex gloves — but having or not having them can make a world of difference.
June 9th-June 21st: VBS Mobile Hope “Communitywide” Food Collection
We will be collecting non-perishable foods for precariously housed, homeless, or at risk teenagers and young adults in Loudoun County. Mobile Hope provides the daily essentials and life changing support to create pathways for these youth. They change adverse conditions one child at a time by providing for basic needs—things that many of us take for granted.
June 23rd-July 5th: All God’s Children Camps Supply Collection
We will be collecting supplies for children, ages 7 to 12, so they are able spend a week at camp, participating in activities such as boating, swimming, hiking, archery, music, crafts, Bible study, and conflict resolution. All God’s Children Camp provides a week of sanctuary for children with an incarcerated mother and/or father, who face many challenges in their lives — economic poverty; temporary living conditions; loneliness; low self-esteem; violence; and drugs.
LOUDOUN HUNGER RELIEF – let’s help with summertime needs again!! May 26th is this month’s Hunger Relief Donation Sunday. Schools will soon be closing so let’s once again stock their shelves with cereal and grab-n-go breakfast bars/items as well as lunchtime items to meet their urgent summertime needs. During the school year they go through 50-80 boxes of cereal a day so the need during the summer months is much higher!! The collection bin for donations is in Driscoll Hall. Although Harmony designates the fourth Sunday of each month for food collection, donations are welcome anytime. Additionally, please see the Missions bulletin board in Driscoll Hall or our Missions website for a list of other food items needed.
MOSAIC VIRGINIA, BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN – Be on the lookout for our upcoming annual baby bottle campaign to raise money in support of this non-profit medical organization. The organization is dedicated to empowering women and men to make informed choices about unplanned pregnancies and faith in Jesus Christ. For more information – http://mosaic-virginia.org
HOW HARMONY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE – APRIL HAPPENINGS:
CARDS RECEIVED FROM POTATO DROP EVENT:
Noah’s Ark received 1500 – 10 pound bags of potatoes. They were sincerely grateful to us accommodating their early pick up of the potatoes at 10 am which gave the recipients full daylight in receiving their blessings. The 1500 bags were given to the community on the same day of receipt and was completed by 4 pm. Praise God!
Hunger Relief shared the potatoes they received helped feed 300 families in the week following the event. They are eternally grateful.
TOP: 8 adults and 2 youth visited with residents of Johnson Williams Apts. in Berryville. Took fresh food/hygiene/cleaning products and shared in fellowship with refreshments and conversation. A great afternoon of sharing stories and laughter. What a FUN time.
HOPE COMMUNITY CENTER (HCC): Missions donated kitchen supplies for 3
families. This center supports immigrants from the Middle East who are newly arrived in Northern Virginia and HCC strives to be in fellowship with these refugees through sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to bring peace and hope to the Arab community.
RISE AGAINST HUNGER: Missions donated $300 to support this meal packing event to help end world hunger.
LOUDOUN HUNGER RELIEF: Collected and delivered 56 lbs of food.
GOOD SHEPHERD ALLIANCE: Missions delivered donated items received from the congregation in response to their urgent plea for help.
PUERTO RICO MISSION TRIP BAKE SALE: Team members raised $271 to benefit our disaster recovery mission trip to help those in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. So hard to believe there are still so many without homes.
THIRST MISSIONS – CHURCH-WIDE MISSION TRIP
When: July 21-26, 2019
Where: Puerto Rico
Who: Rising 10th graders through Adults
Cost: $750 (This price changed due to dates we are going) + Airfare (approx. $400) (Deposit: $200)
Registration Form: Individual Registration Form
About: Thirst Missions Puerto Rico Video
- Thousands of families still need help rebuilding or repairing their homes after Hurricane Maria
- Bring supplies and food to people in need of encouragement
- The opportunity to show Christ’s love to people who have had homes destroyed, lost jobs, had friends and family members move away, and have dealt with the loss of water, electricity and other life essentials in the recent past
- Help revitalize local churches which have lost members after Hurricane Maria
- Learn about and embrace the Spanish culture and language in a United States territory where most people understand English
- To follow the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
Loudoun Hunger Relief – The Mobile Pantry Project…On a Roll!
Thanks to the support of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, Loudoun Hunger Relief is confident that they will be able to provide better access to food for those in need beginning in the Fall of 2019. They plan to purchase a Mobile Pantry vehicle this year to take food directly to the areas of Loudoun County with the most need.
The vehicle, fully outfitted, will cost between $145,000 and $150,000. They are thrilled to have a $50,000 grant from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation. An anonymous donor has given $15,000 as a match for YOUR donations. Your donations toward the Mobile Pantry will be matched dollar for dollar up to $15,000. Help us “Put the Brakes on Hunger”. Your help will get food to the right place.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Have you ever had anyone ask you where they can find food or shelter for the night? Maybe you’ve seen a person with a sign on a street corner or someone has asked you for money to help with food. Here is a list of phone numbers of organizations that offer assistance to individuals/families — safe shelter, warm meals, gas/utility money, etc.
- Cold Weather Shelter, 571-258-3033
- Good Shepherd Alliance, 703-724-1555
- Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS), 703-777-6552; (Spanish – 703-443-2810)
- Youth & Children Services (LAWS), 703-771-3973
- Loudoun Cares, 703-669-4636
- Loudoun County Youth Shelter (behavioral), 703-771-5300
- Loudoun Drop-In Shelter, 571-258-3033
- Loudoun Emergency Homeless Shelter, 571-258-3033
- Loudoun Hunger Relief, 703-777-5911
- Mobile Hope, 703-771-1400
- Salvation Army, 703-771-3371
- Tree of Life, 540-441-7920
Loudoun Hunger Relief
Harmony continues to collect donations to help Loudoun Hunger Relief. It is one of our many missions to provide food for the hungry. Following is a list of food items needed. The collection bin is in the social hall.
- Dry beans
- Whole grain pasta, rice
- Fresh fruits & vegetables
- Cereal
- Canned meats (tuna or chicken)
- Mac and Cheese
- Peanut butter
- Hearty soups
- Cooking oil
Loudoun Caregivers
Volunteers are always needed for providing transportation for those in need. Do you have a little time in your week to help with transportation? Click on this link for information about this organization and for a contact number if you’re interested in volunteering.
Listing of Mission Organizations
Click on this link to see a listing of mission organizations we work with along with Mission opportunities. Look for the links throughout the document for more information.
Harmony’s Missionary – Meet Lisa Nichols
Click on the following link for more information about our Missionary: LisaNicholsWriteup