LOCAL & GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT
Serving is the core of who we are. It’s God’s love overflowing from our lives into action, and it can be life changing. Which is why we seek to partner with you and empower you to use your unique gifts and passions to live your best life of service. We believe we all have a vital role to play in sharing Christ’s love in our community, world, and church. We hope you will join us!
Hurricane Helene Response - Pray, Give, Go
Our hearts and prayers are with the people in Western North Carolina and across the Southeast who have been impacted by the devastation from Hurricane Helene. In the aftermath, so many people are left grieving, displaced, and desperate for help, and it's hard to know what to do. Here are some ways we can help right now:
Pray - Pray for those impacted by this storm and their loved ones. Pray for those who have lost their homes and businesses. Pray for restoration of families, homes, power, and a sense of normalcy. Pray for the responders and officials who faithfully serve to aid before, during, and after storms. And pray for the faith leaders journeying with their communities during this difficult time and over the long road to recovery.
Give Financially - Give now to our Disaster Relief fund (select Disaster Relief in the Fund dropdown). Donations will go to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) where 100% of gifts are utilized to offer aid and resources to the storm victims.
Donate - As the weather gets cooler, we are collecting gently used and/or new winter coats, hats, and gloves for Western North Carolina and White Flag guests. Items can be dropped off in the collection bins at our church entrances. All sizes needed!
Go - Once efforts have moved out of the emergency relief phase with trained disaster relief workers, teams will be sent to help those impacted by the storm. If you are interested in being part of a work team, please contact Suzanne Botts.
Need help discerning where to serve or want to get monthly opportunities and updates in your inbox? Contact Renae Newmiller, Director of Local and Global Engagement. Check out this month’s Faith in Action email here.
Serve Our City
We love Raleigh and want to see our city flourish, the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors met, and all people introduced to the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Locally, we partner with nonprofits, schools, and individuals who are working hard to make a difference in the lives of people who struggle with hunger, housing, injustice, poverty, and more.
Join us as we seek to be part of God’s movement in our city and surrounding area.
OUR LOCAL MINISTRY PARTNERS:
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BRENTWOOD BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
The Brentwood Boys and Girls Club helps young kids and teenagers reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens, creating a foundation to succeed in school, at work and in life. There are many ways to serve at, and with, the club.
Contact: Pepe Caudillo
CONN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL READING BUDDIES
Up to third grade, children are learning to read; after that, they are reading to learn. Reading buddies strive to help struggling children reach their God-given potential by spending 30 minutes a week (during the school day) reading with them. Volunteers pick the day they want to serve (Monday – Friday).
Contact: Renae Newmiller
LEARNING TOGETHER
Learning Together is a super-inclusive Developmental Day Center that aims to reduce inequities in early childhood education by addressing contributing factors including issues stemming from race, socio-economic status, and disabilities. Learning Together is located in our church building. Learn more.
METHODIST HOME FOR CHILDREN
What started as an orphanage in 1899 has evolved to provide the best in evidence-based services for children and families throughout North Carolina regardless of religion, race or socio-economic status. Services include foster care and adoption, family preservation, early childhood services, juvenile justice and specialized services. There are opportunities to help with special events throughout the year.
Contact: Donna Tate
NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR
Neighbor to Neighbor comes alongside neighbors in Southeast Raleigh through mentoring relationships to aid pursuit of their education, achievement of their full potential and their ability to serve others. Spend time one-on-one with a child for an hour once a week (during the traditional calendar school year) working through an individualized curriculum in math or reading.
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ALLIANCE MEDICAL MINISTRY
Alliance Medical Ministry provides comprehensive and affordable healthcare to working uninsured adults in Wake County. There are several opportunities to volunteer in their clinic.
URBAN MINISTRIES – OPEN DOOR CLINIC
The Urban Ministries Open Door Clinic provides primary care and specialty care to adults without health insurance. There are several opportunities to serve at the Open Door Clinic.
Contact: volunteer@urbanmin.org
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DOORSTEP MINISTRY
Our Doorstep Ministry helps people who have hit a bump in the road and need financial assistance with rent or utilities, referrals to other aid programs, or simply prayer and a listening ear. There are opportunities to interact with people who come to us for help on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Contact: Doorstep Ministry
GREEN CHAIR PROJECT
The Green Chair Project reuses donated household furnishings to renew lives to participants referred from area programs who are recovering after homelessness, crisis or disaster. Opportunities to serve are varied and include light work to heavy moving. Volunteer times are flexible.
Contact: Kirsten Wheeler
FAMILY PROMISE OF WAKE COUNTY
This ministry transforms the lives of families experiencing temporary homelessness by providing support services and moving them into safe, affordable, permanent housing in our community.
Contact: Robin Brooks
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Be a part of our downtown churches coalition spring Habitat Build. No prior building or construction experience necessary, just a desire to help someone realize their dream of being a homeowner.
Contact: Scott Fortenberry
OAK CITY CARES
Oak City Cares is a services hub for connecting individuals and families at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness to coordinated services that create a path to stable housing and renewed hope. There are opportunities to provide hospitality, basic services, donation pickup or administrative support.
Website: http://oakcitycares.org/volunteer
URBAN MINISTRIES HELEN WRIGHT CENTER FOR WOMEN
Urban Ministries engages our community to serve and advocate on behalf of those affected by poverty by providing food, promoting health and wellness, and by laying the foundations of home. Their Helen Wright Center provides emergency shelter, as well as a long-term program, for single, adult women who are experiencing homelessness without children in their custody. Currently, there are opportunities to provide a weeknight dinner or a weekend breakfast for the women staying there.
Contact: volunteer@urbanmin.org
RALEIGH RESCUE MISSION
The Raleigh Rescue Mission is dedicated to serving those experiencing homelessness in our community through the love of Christ. They provide shelter and a steadfast strategy to break the cycle of poverty and empower people to rebuild their lives.Website: https://www.raleighrescue.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/
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ALLIANCE MEDICAL COMMUNITY GARDEN
Alliance Medical Ministry provides comprehensive, compassionate and affordable healthcare to working, uninsured adults in Wake County. As part of their wellness program, they have a large community garden that is open on second Saturdays (9:30 am – 12:00 pm) and the 4th Wednesday of the month (5:30 -7:30 pm), April-October. To volunteer, drop by (101 Donald Ross Drive, Raleigh) or RSVP with Alliance. Kids welcome.
Contact: alliancemedicalministry.org/volunteer-garden
A PLACE AT THE TABLE
Located just a couple of blocks from Edenton Street, A Place at the Table is a pay-what-you-can place to eat that provides community and healthy food for all, regardless of means. Volunteers are key to their mission, and they’d love to have you join them!
NEW BERN HOUSE/MONTHLY MEAL
The New Bern House provides a temporary home, resources and opportunities for single mothers and other families experiencing homelessness to transition into independent living. Weekend meals are provided to its residents and anyone in the community who is food insecure. As part of this food ministry, one of our Missional Communities provides a monthly meal and would love for you to join them.
Contact: Mary Kathryn or Richard Kurth
SHEPHERD’S TABLE SOUP KITCHEN
The Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen tangibly shares Christ’s love by serving lunch to 200-300 people from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Monday through Friday. Serving shifts run from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm (this includes prep, serving and cleanup) or 10:30 am-12:30pm (serve and cleanup).
Contact: Register to volunteer
URBAN MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY
Urban Ministries engages our community to serve and advocate on behalf of those affected by poverty by providing a week’s worth of groceries to each household that visits the pantry. There are opportunities to serve with their food pantry and opportunities to serve a weeknight dinner or weekend breakfast at the Urban Ministries Helen Wright Center for women.
Contact: volunteer@urbanmin.org to serve at the pantry or make a meal for the Helen Wright Center.
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L’ARCHE NC
L’Arche North Carolina is an inclusive community in formation where adults with and without intellectual disabilities share life and friendships. L’Arche seeks to transform lives and model a more human society where everyone is of equal value. There are weekly gatherings in our Bulla Youth building and monthly meetups on the first Sunday of the month. Learn more.
MEMORY CAFE
The Memory Cafe is an opportunity for people dealing with dementia and their caregivers to have a special night out once a month. Volunteers help arrange for entertainment, plan elegant monthly meals, recruit volunteers to decorate, greet, serve the meal and assist with cleanup. The event occurs on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Contact: Fran Preston or Lisa Pace
MURPHY SCHOOL APARTMENTS
The Murphy School is home to seniors age 55 and older with incomes of less than 50% of the median area income for Wake County. Monthly, one of our Missional Communities partners with the Murphy School spending time with the residents doing various activities with the residents.
Contact: Patt Crissman
PROJECT FIGHT
The Salvation Army of Wake County is deeply committed to the modern-day fight against human trafficking. This includes trafficking for both the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and labor exploitation. Through Project FIGHT they provide case management for victims of human trafficking, and work to generate education and awareness about human trafficking in our community and across the state. Learn more.
RUTH SHEETS ADULT DAYCARE CENTER
The Ruth Sheets Center, which is located in our church facility, provides a safe place for older adults who need assistance with daily activities and care but do not need full-time placement in a rest home or nursing facility. Volunteers spend time with our Ruth Sheets participants, lead an activity, help with crafts or simply come by to visit. Opportunities available weekdays from 2:00 – 5:30 pm.
Contact: Matt Frazier
THE ENCOURAGING PLACE
Through organizing small groups to communicate and collaborate toward healing the racial divide and promote unity, the Encouraging Place creates environments of support and encouragement for all people at every stage of life so they may be better equipped to grow as individuals and experience the Love of Christ. Click here to learn more.
Serve Our World
Beyond Raleigh, we partner with ministries in Haiti and Liberia, as well as global hunger and disaster response efforts. Join us as we make an impact in the world!
Learn more about our global impact partners and their work:
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Help One Now empowers families and comes alongside children in developing countries through high-capacity local leaders with proven solutions to end extreme poverty. We partner with Help One Now in Haiti, supporting five Help One Now classrooms. Join us on a learning journey to Haiti to meet the local leaders, learn how they are engaging in their community, and see firsthand the impact Help One Now is having.
Contact: Renae Newmiller
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By working with local leaders, Zoe Empowers equips orphans and vulnerable children around the world with tools and training to overcome life-threatening poverty for good. Our church comes alongside four Zoe empowerment groups, comprised of more than 300 children in Liberia.
How can you help?
A monthly gift of $8 over three years empowers an orphan in Liberia out of poverty for good.
Email Renae to get the process started.
We’d also love to have you join us on a vision trip to meet our empowerment groups and see the amazing transformation taking place.
Contact: Renae Newmiller
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Rise Against Hunger is an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable, mobilizing the necessary resources to end hunger by 2030. We partner with Rise Against Hunger to pack up to 100,000 meals a year. We hold packing events on MLK Day and at other times of the year. Packing events typically take two hours and are fun for all ages.
Contact: Renae Newmiller
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Volunteers take weekend day trips (and some longer trips) to help people recover from hurricane and other natural disaster damage. Many opportunities to help are available and no special skills are needed.
Contact: Suzanne Botts