Core Mission Opportunities
For more information about the UPUMC Missions Movement or our Core Missions Partners, please fill out our Mission Movement Interest Form. If you have additional questions, please contact Wanda Hooten.
Christ's Foundry Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteer with Christ’s Foundry church members as they gather to make hundreds of tamales for their annual fundraiser. This is a unique and fulfilling experience for groups, adults, and children over 10. Plus, we get to learn the fine art of this complex meal! Morning or afternoon volunteers are needed on November 2, November 16, and December 7 from 9:00am-4:00pm. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Gina Gregory at 862.812.1022 or Matt Hopkins 214.563.1924.
Share the light of Christmas by making a donation in honor of a loved one while supporting the good works of UPUMC’s mission partners (Christ’s Foundry UMC, Operación Abrigo, Project Transformation, Wesley-Rankin Community Center)! In appreciation of your donation, you will receive a Christmas card to share with your loved one. Cards are bundled in sets of five, and there is a suggested minimum donation of $5 per card.
Use the buttons below to order cards or make your donation after placing your order (when completing the donation, please include the number of bundles you ordered in the "Memo" line). Printed order forms are available at the church Welcome Desk. Upon making a donation, you may pick up your cards at the UPUMC Welcome Desk. For more information, please contact Mary Tabor.
Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief
UMCOR Donations
Hurricane Helene has devastated parts of the Southeast U.S. If you would like to help the victims of Helene with their disaster recovery efforts, the Western North Carolina Conference of the UMC and UMCOR are accepting donations to assist those affected by the hurricane through the links below.
Western Conference donations: HERE
UMCOR donations: HERE
Operación Abrigo Mission Trip November
November 8-11: Trip dates
October 27: Session
All are welcome to join our mission team for the fall mission opportunity to Juarez, Mexico, to build homes for those in need. The cost is $200 per person, which includes food and lodging during the stay. Transportation is not included. Want to learn more about the Operación Abrigo mission trip? Join the information session on October 27 after the 11am service.
Registration and payment can be made through the link below. Enter payment amount, select fund Operación Abrigo, and enter "Trip Payment" in the memo.
Christ's Foundry Bread Ministry
Each Saturday, Christ's Foundry distributes bread and bakery goods to neighbors in need. UPUMC regularly partners with Christ's Foundry to provide volunteers who will go to their two partner stores, pick up the bread and bakery goods at 9 AM (stores will have them ready), and deliver them to Christ's Foundry by 10 AM for distribution. To volunteer for one or more Saturdays, you can sign up here!
Christ's Foundry Food Pantry
On the first Tuesday of every month, from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, you can help sort and prepare family bags that help many Christ's Foundry families. Tasks include unloading food and sorting and loading it into individual family food bags. This is a great opportunity to teach younger children how to help in this service and makes a great family activity! It does involve some physical activity such as lifting and moving cases of food.
Volunteers with valid driver's licenses are also needed on Tuesdays to pick up a U-Haul in South Oak Cliff, drive to Crossroads Community Ministries for loading, then to Christ's Foundry for unloading, and return the U-Haul. The time commitment is approximately 10 AM-12 PM. No physical labor is required. The church will make a U-Haul reservation under the volunteer's name. Contact Rev. Amy Spaur (christsfoundry@gmail.com, 214-704-6628) for more information.
Christ's Foundry Piano and Guitar Lessons
Christ's Foundry is looking for teachers who can provide basic piano and guitar lessons for youth beginners. Ideally, it will be a 10-week commitment on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15 PM. If you would like to volunteer or want more information, please contact Rev. Amy Spaur.
Get more information about UPUMC's partnership with Christ's Foundry.
Operación Abrigo Mission Team to Juarez
After our incredible success this Spring of sending a team of over 60 youth and adults to build 5 houses in Juarez, UPUMC is forming an adult mission team to build another home this Fall. The group will be led by Emmy Zumwalt (emmyzumwalt@airskunk.net), an active member at UPUMC and part of both mission teams in March 2023 & 2024. The mission trip dates are November 8-11, and the cost will be $200/person plus airfare. Mark your calendar now and look for more information in the coming months!
Get more information about UPUMC's partnership with Operación Abrigo.
Project Transformation
Project Transformation hosts events with UPUMC's support throughout the year! Check back regularly to see when you have an opportunity to partner with PT!
Get more information about UPUMC's partnership with Project Transformation.
Wesley-Rankin Afterschool Program
The Wesley-Rankin Afterschool Program provides children and youth activities and homework support, which reinforce core concepts to bolster school academic performance. Students choose from a selection of interest club each semester, including: violin, debate, coding, basketball, and photography. Volunteers assist with classroom support, leading clubs, and building relationships with students Mondays-Thursdays from 3-6 PM. For more information, visit the Wesley-Rankin website.
Wesley-Rankin B3X Summer Camp Supplies
The Wesley-Rankin B3X Summer Camp utilizes hands-on activities to reinforce core learning in science, math, reading, and art! In order for their curriculum to be engaging and individualized for all 180 students, they require a lot of supplies. If you wish to support Wesley-Rankin B3X Summer Camp by purchasing supplies, you can do so by visiting their Amazon Wishlist.
Wesley-Rankin B3X Summer Camp Volunteers
Our largest need for volunteers this summer is our B3X Summer Camp. B3X is a STEAM-based (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) camp that aims to provide our 180 students with individualized and hands-on learning experiences. Volunteers are needed to support classroom instruction, lead small group activities, chaperone field trips, or offer specialty clubs. Volunteers in B3X are integral to providing students with individualization and quality time.
UPUMC has agreed to provide volunteers for camp from Monday, July 22, to Wednesday, July 24, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Interested volunteers can find more information and the Summer Volunteer Application on the Wesley-Rankin B3X website here. (Please allow at least 48-72 hours in advance to complete the Wesley-Rankin onboarding process. The minimum age to volunteer is 14. All volunteers must complete the application, sexual abuse awareness training, and online orientation. Volunteers over 18 must also complete a criminal background check.)
Wesley-Rankin Brighter Bites
Wesley-Rankin needs volunteers for their grocery bag assembly! Brighter Bites will deliver large pallets of produce and grocery items to the WR facility every week to be distributed to families. Volunteer groups are needed from 1-2 PM on Tuesdays to bag items so they are ready to go! This volunteer position does not require an application, background check, or other trainings. Volunteers simply need to sign up beforehand.
Wesley-Rankin Scholars Tutors
The Wesley-Rankin Scholars Program collaborates with the June Shelton School, offering tutoring for students with learning differences, Mondays-Thursdays, 2:30-4 PM and Saturdays 9 AM-12 PM. Students learn reading and writing using tools that align with how they best learn. During sessions, tutors will either lead instruction using a multi-sensory structured language (MSL) approach to reading or will utilize auditory discrimination and memory training. Volunteers are required to participate in a full day of initial training before they begin serving. Trainings are offered once per quarter. For more information, visit the Wesley-Rankin Scholars Program website.
Get more information about UPUMC's partnership with Wesley-Rankin.
Project Mission Opportunities
Austin Street Cooking
Austin Street Center's mission is to provide safe shelter and meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable homeless. You can partner with Austin Street Center and UPUMC to accomplish this goal by volunteering to shop, boil, cook, deliver & serve on the following weekends:
JANUARY DATES TO BE CONFIRMED
Shop: for groceries and deliver them before the church closes at noon on Friday.
Cook: Saturday from 9-11 AM in the church kitchen.
Boil: We need 36 dozen eggs delivered to the church by 10:30 AM on Saturday.
Deliver: Pack up the Pigs in a blanket and drive them to Austin Street Center after we finish cooking on Saturday at 11 AM. (Large vehicle required)
Serving: We need a minimum of 8 people to serve on Sunday morning at 6:30 AM at ASC. Carpooling is available.
For more information on this opportunity to serve, or to volunteer, contact Matt Hopkins (214-563-1924) or Christy Baker.
