HUMC’s Missions Ministry
Our Missions Ministry encourages the people of Harmony UMC to contribute to missionary service under the direction of God. The Missions Committee work makes the greatest use of the Lord’s resources for mission efforts by supporting donations/collections and outreach/mission trips in three areas: Local, 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 that when people engage in service, it leads to new friendships, life-changing experiences, and growth in our relationship with Jesus.
The Missions Committee maintains mission policy, plans for mission opportunities and projects, develops and promotes means for involvement 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.
HUMC Missions and Outreach Team
• Joanne Ballard, District Representative
• Judy Fry, Team Lead; Hero Homes, JWA
• Marsha Keim, Team Lead; Bazaar Baking
• Marcey Kellogg, Co-chair [2019 – 2024]
• Mary Preston, UWIF Liaison
• Sharon Thomas, Secretary [2019 – 2023]
• Roxanne Tipton, Team Lead; BPB, Food Pantry
• Becky Haines, Chair [2019 – 2024]
• Clarin Gaucher, Youth Liaison
• Elizabeth Gaucher, Member
• Tiffany Hetherington, Member [2022 – 2025]
• Bristol Hetherington, Member [2022 – 2025]
• Leslee Rochford, Member [2022 – 2025]
HUMC Offers Support For The Following
Back Pack Buddies Program
Nonperishable and perishable food is bought and packed for backpacks each week for children in need that attend Hamilton and Lincoln Elementary Schools. This program provides snacks and meals to children that may otherwise go without. Mary Balderson serves as the schools’ liaison.
Card Outreach to College and High School Students
Did you know that according to Pew Research (https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/
2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/), fewer than six-in-ten Millennials identify with any branch of Christianity, compared with seven-in-ten or more among older generations, including Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers.?” The article linked above is an interesting read published in 2015 based on 2014 data unlikely to have changed in the last 8 years. As students move away from home, a variety of studies have shown that there is higher potential for them to fall away from their church community as they seek meaningful social connections elsewhere.
It’s in the context of this challenging trend that your Harmony Missions Team, led by Judy Fry and Roxanne Tipton, has been conducting outreach to HUMC-based college students for several years. Throughout the year, and at holiday times, Judy and Roxanne request an updated address list for our far-flung student members from Robin Good, our church administrative assistant. Then they write personalized and loving notes to each student member to let them know that their HUMC family is thinking of them and praying for them and their future success. Sometimes they include cheery items like magnets or photos to help our students stay connected with our church during this busy time in their lives. Our students have reported that they are happy to receive in-real-life mail at a time when so much of our communication is digital.
You can help support this terrific outreach mission by making sure that you have updated your student’s address with Robin. Thanks!
HeroHomes
HeroHomes is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization that builds houses, jobs, and community for those who have fought for the preservation of freedom and democracy for others. The homes are veteran purchased with a portion subsidized. HUMC provides financial contributions for new home construction and hand knitted afghan blankets to welcome families moving into their new homes.
herohomesloudoun.org/
Loudoun Homeless Services and Hypothermia Shelter
Loudoun Hunger Relief
Fourth Sunday of the month is Food Collection for Loudoun Hunger Relief. Please see the list below for the items that are frequently needed. They also accept grocery cards. Thank you for your generous donations throughout the year!
1. Dry beans
2. Whole grain pasta, rice
3. Fresh fruits and vegetables
4. Whole grain cereal
5. Canned meats (tuna or chicken)
6. Healthy cooking oil (ex: olive oil)
7. Peanut butter
8. Low sodium soups (under 350 mg per servings)
The Loudoun Food Providers Network, a collective of numerous Loudoun County food pantries, started by Loudoun Hunger Relief in 2018, has launched LoudounFeeds.org. This website has an up-to-date and detailed list of food resources for Loudoun County residents. Whether you need food or would like to volunteer to get food out into their community, check out LoudounFeeds.org to connect with these organizations.
Salvation Army
UMC works with the Salvation Army Potomac Divisions Angel Tree program to provide new clothing and toys to children in need at Christmas.
Society of St. Andrews (SoSA)
SoSA’s mission statement is simple: to bring people together to harvest and share healthy food, reduce food waste, and build caring communities by offering nourishment to neighbors. HUMC collects Pennies for Potatoes and periodically hosts gleaning and food packing events to support SoSA.
Pennies for Potatoes – Look for the big water jugs by HUMC’s doorways to drop off your contributions. Because “spare change” may not be as readily available in our move to cashless payments, you can also donate directly to the Society of St. Andrews at
endhunger.org. Mary Preston collects the loose change and donates it to the Society of St. Andrews.
For more information, contact Jennifer Zisk or Colleen Wilmoth.
Ted Cody Memorial Community Food Pantry
Thank you to all of the kind folks who provide non-perishable food items, check on, and stock the Ted Cody Memorial Food Pantry just outside Driscoll Hall.
Teens Opposing Poverty (TOP): Leadership Across Generations
Outreach to homeless people in Washington, D.C.
In 2005, the group expanded to cities in Virginia serving the homeless as well as seniors subsidized housing and low-income homeowners who cannot pay for repairs. TOP brings together over 1,000 volunteers from over 50+ youth groups, including Harmony’s, to serve low income people. HUMC’s youth and congregation have helped homeless people in Washington, D.C. in partnership with D.C.TOP for almost a decade and have conducted service projects and visits with Johnson Williams Apartments (JWA) in Berryville, VA. JWA is a low-income residence for seniors developed in the early 1990s in a refurbished historical building built originally in 1928 to house a training program and high school for Black students. HUMC has donated winter clothing and gift cards to D.C. TOP.
HUMC offered financial support to the following in 2022:
All God’s Children Camp
Back Pack Buddies Program
Bopulu Mission
Camp Overlook
Friends of Barnabus
Friends of Loudoun Mental Health
Good Shepard Alliance
Heifer Foundation
Henry Fork
HeroHomes
Inspiritus
Loudoun Missions Foundation
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (Support for Afghan refugees)
Prison Fellowship International
TOP
UMCOR Disaster Relief
Emergency Contact Numbers
Have you ever had anyone ask you where they can find food or shelter for the night? Maybe you have 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.
• Hypothermia/Cold Weather Shelter (November – March) – 571-258-3033
• Good Shepherd Alliance – 703-724-1555
• Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS) – 703-771-3973
• Youth and Children Services – 703-771-3973
• Loudoun Cares – 703-669-4636
• Loudoun County Youth Shelter (Behavioral) – 703-771-5300
• 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