Soapstone UMC Serves

Soapstone UMC Serves

                                     
Preparing Hygiene Kits for 5th graders at Baileywick ES who may not be able to afford these items as their bodies begin to change. The kits are kept by the social worker until the needs arise. The kits include travel sizes of basic toiletry items such as body wash, shampoo, and deodorant. We will also provide teen sized sanitary items for the health room to provide as needed. These items will be collected at the church and the bags will be filled during Mission Madness. Please place your items in donation bins at both church entrances February 9-23.

Grounds Clean Up at Baileywick ES will include a general spring cleaning of the outside areas at the school on Baileywick Rd. Tasks requested include removing old limbs/leaves, and adding mulch where needed. There is also the possibility to power wash steps and picnic areas as needed. If you sign up please bring your rakes, brooms, and trash bags.

Blessing Bags are reusable drawstring bags filled with hygiene items, snacks, etc. that can be given out to homeless individuals in our community.  To help with preserving the dignity of the recipients, they will be opaque.  There are three ways to support the Blessing Bag project; you can purchase items, assemble bags and/or distribute bags. Please place your items in donation bins at both church entrances February 9-23.

Rise Against Hunger Register Here. Everything at Rise Against Hunger (RAH) starts with a meal. RAH’s work starts with a meal but it does not end there. RAH uses the meals to create resiliency, self-sufficiency, education, empowerment, and bright futures in communities worldwide.

The meals are used for crisis such in early 2022, Ukraine faced a refugee crisis due to the ongoing conflict. In response to the conflict, RAH provided thousands of nourishing meal kits and supplies to those affected and displaced from their homes in collaboration with its global partners.

RAH has been making meals for 25 years to help communities meet their basic needs. In 2022 alone, 44 million meals were packaged. On March 2nd, Soapstone will be packaging 10,000 meals. As RAH says, it starts with a meal, and it starts with you.

Pollinator Garden, many groups have met at the picnic tables behind the sanctuary in our pollinator garden, which was planned by our Creation Care team with donations from church members and from various nurseries and organizations in the area. It has welcomed even more participants in God’s good creation: butterflies, birds, and other pollinators.

Why a pollinator garden? The area is intended as a symbiotic space in which pollinator insects can eat nectar while collecting and spreading pollen to foster plant reproduction. Our Preschool, Children’s Ministry, and Youth leaders use the garden as an opportunity to learn about God’s creation and its care. Adults are welcome as well! For Mission Madness we will continue maintaining the garden by spreading soil conditioner and mulch as we prepare the garden for spring. 

Winter Games, our Happiness Ministry will be hosting a winter games event during Mission Madness. This event will be held upstairs in the afternoon from 1 pm to 3 pm. The participants will be participating in different winter games from curling to snowball fights. This event is for youth and adults with special needs.
Sign up to participate in the Special Winter Games here. (Use the Mission Madness sign-up above to volunteer)

The Happiness Ministry was created in 2021 with money from the seed grant provided by the United Methodist Church. This ministry focuses on children, youth, and adults with special needs. Throughout the year they provide activities and events for this group. Some events include Uniquely Fun Outings for youth and adults, an Easter egg hunt, Children’s carnivals, and sensory services.