Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40
In this passage, Matthew reminds us of Jesus' call to serve his family, our brothers and sisters. We make a difference by serving in the following ways.
Alcoholics Anonymous – An independent non-denominational organization that meets in the church basement classroom. Call 417-276-6388, 417-276-3943 or 417-276-6461 for more information.
Aluminum Can Recycling – Coordinated by UMM, aluminum cans collected in the church parking lot are recycled for cash to fund missions.
Angel Tree Ministry – Coordinated by UMM in cooperation with Prison Fellowship, this once-a-year effort creates a connection between children and their incarcerated fathers by providing Christmas gifts through individual donations.
Arc of Hope – A non-profit, safe place for abused women and children in El Dorado Springs, Mo.
Barceda Families – A non-profit organization in Barton, Cedar and Dade counties that helps prevent child abuse, mentors parents (especially teens) and assists parents who stay at home or have children with disabilities connect with various helpful agencies.
Bereavement Committee – A group of church women who assist the families of recently deceased members of the congregation with a special emphasis on a family meal in the Family Life Center immediately after funeral services.
Birthday/Anniversary Celebrations – Each Sunday individuals celebrating a birthday and couples celebrating an anniversary meet the liturgist at the front of the sanctuary to share their special celebrations with the congregation. By tradition, they place a special offering into the small church on the kneeling rail, often an increment related to each year being celebrated. These donations fund local missions.
Christmas Baskets – Sponsored by the Stockton Area Ministerial Alliance, the interdenominational group takes applications, processes the information and raises funds—including a community-wide special Thanksgiving Day collection. The group then organizes the distribution of food and gifts for the children of Stockton's families in need for the Christmas celebration.
Comforter Project – A group of UMW ladies makes and donates comforters and quilts to families who have suffered serious loss, such as homes destroyed by fire or storm and to residents of the Stockton Nursing Home. Members stress “you don't have to be able to sew to help!”
Cub Scouts – Sponsored by UMM, this scouting program is for boys in grades 1-5 and precedes entering the Boy Scouts. About 20 to 30 Stockton area boys become members. Meetings in the Family Life Center vary according to changing schedules, with the annual Blue and Gold Banquet for advancements and transitioning older boys into Boy Scouts held in February.
Disaster Recovery – Funded by the missions team, usually at the call of the pastor, the church reaches out both locally and beyond to those placed in need by tornadoes, hurricanes and similar disasters.
Food Pantry – Sponsored and coordinated by the Stockton Ministerial Alliance, with Stockton UMC representation by its pastor, many members of the congregation support this outreach by placing needed canned or packaged foods in the large collection box located in the church hallway. Others volunteer at the Food Pantry to help disburse food.
Highway Clean-Up – Coordinated through UMM, about four times a year volunteers pick up litter along a one-mile stretch of State Highway 32 from a short distance west of the Stockton square to the western junction of Highways 32 and 39.
Job Jar – Coordinated through UMM, this is a jar in the church narthex where members of the congregation who cannot do for themselves and need help with a small household task, such as cutting a lawn or fixing a mailbox, may drop a note requesting help—and they get it.
Meals on Wheels – Sponsored by the Stockton Ministerial Alliance, several churches including Stockton UMC, provide volunteer drivers to deliver prepared meals to seniors unable to go the Stockton Senior Center. This usually requires volunteers once a month and is coordinated by the church office.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – Coordinated by the Reach Out Circle of UMW, anyone can become involved in this effort to knit or crochet shawls of prayer and comfort of soft yarn for those people who find themselves in distress. The group meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month in participants’ homes on a rotating hostess schedule.
Prison Ministry – Coordinated through UMM, a rotating team of three volunteers visits the Cedar County Jail every Tuesday, 5:15-6 p.m., to witness their Christian faith, to let the prisoners know there are people who care and to provide stationery, candy and such things as jigsaw puzzles.
Recycling – The UMW operates a small recycling center in the hallway near the Family Life Center that accepts: aluminum tab tops, cell phones and accessories, egg cartons, eye glasses (prescription and reading), magazines, plastic shopping bags, printer ink and toner cartridges. See also "Rummage Sales" below for items accepted for sale and see "Aluminum Can Recycling" above. To recycle in the Stockton area items not listed here, check out A Guide to Recycling in Stockton, compiled by the UMW.
Rummage Sales (Semi-Annual) – Sponsored by the UMW, this semi-annual rummage sale is held early in May and October each year to raise funds for missions both local and around the world. It accepts practically anything in clean, gently used condition, for example: bicycles, books (hardback and softback), clothing, furniture, household items and televisions in good working condition.
School Bags Program – Coordinated by UMW, this program combines the former School Supplies and Shoe Boxes for Children programs into one program to provide backpack-style book bags and school supplies, such as pencils, paper and crayons, to be distributed through the Festival of Sharing to youngsters in need throughout the world.
Stephen Ministry – Specially trained lay people assist the pastor by serving others one-on-one through grief, health and other types of crises.
Study Buddies – Adults in our congregation personally involved in the life of a Stockton elementary student. They help the student read, tutor in math and mentor.
Thanksgiving Dinner – An annual Thanksgiving Day dinner provided by the congregation for all in Stockton who have no one with whom to share this celebration or who cannot afford a celebration.
