Missions

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Ongoing Missions

CityYouth Ministries www.cityyouthmin.com

CityYouth offers a positive alternative to the streets for the at-risk youth of Jonesboro. They do this through programming that helps the youth develop personal responsibility and spiritual values. Tutoring is available in the afternoons to help the children succeed in school. Some of the programs that the children are involved in are choir, recreation, crafts, and life skills training. The kids also have the opportunity to attend an urban youth camp in the summer. Every day the children are provided a devotional and hot meal by various charitable organizations. First United Methodist provides the meal on Thursday nights. There are opportunities to volunteer or provide needed items throughout the year. We also participate in activities throughout the holiday season.

FUMC Free Spirits Jail Ministries

"Master, when did we see you in prison?"

Jesus replied, "I was sick and in prison and you came to me... Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored - you did it to me." Matt.25:39-40, The Message

FUMC Free Spirits Jail Ministries sees Jesus in the Craighead County Detention Center every other Wednesday night. This team was formed over a year ago with leadership from Pam Kail. Attendance in chapel currently averages 45, and the women never fail to express their appreciation for the opportunity to worship together there. (It is a dismal place, and the hope that only Jesus offers is welcome there.)

With the arrival of the new chaplain, Michael Hames, many improvements are being made and new opportunities for participation in jail ministry are now available - even outside the "walls."

You can help:

Stamps for inmates' Christmas cards to their families.

$ for socks and hard candy for male and female inmates' Christmas gifts

$ for movie tickets for guards' Christmas gifts

"You did it to me."

Donations may be mailed to FUMC or dropped off in the church office marked "Free Spirits Jail Ministries."

If you are interested in joining the team, (to serve inside or outside), please contact Ellen Pollock at 932-7479 or epollock@fumcjonesboro.org. Check here again after Christmas for more ways to participate.

Habitat for Humanity www.habitatofjonesboro.org

This group helps to construct houses for individuals and families that might not otherwise be able to own their own home. The family must assist in the building process and pay back a loan based on their income. The volunteers for these projects start the new construction from the ground up. All skill levels are welcome.

Women's Crisis Center of Northeast Arkansas www.keepneawomensafe.com

The council supports abused and battered women and children in this area. They run a local shelter. The shelter is always in need of items to help support the women and children.

Kairos Prison Ministry www.kairosprisonministry.org

Kairos is a ministry that visits the prisons in Arkansas and spends a weekend with a group of inmates. The volunteers nurture the inmates with Christ-centered activities and continue to visit them throughout the year. These weekends are spent at both the men's and women's prisons. Along with the visits there is a "cookie program" that helps the inmates share their experience of giving with others that are not part of the program.

Helping Neighbors Food Pantry
This organization has been feeding the hungry of Jonesboro for many years. They are strictly run by volunteers and supported by individuals and local churches. The pantry is open Monday thru Thursday every week. There are various opportunities to volunteer, such as: taking and recording the client information, filling the order, and collecting food donations. Volunteers are asked to work a 2-hour shift. If the pantry does not have volunteers for any given day, they will have to close for the day and the needy will not receive any food.

Jonesboro Church Health Center
This organization provides health care, counseling, and health-related services to persons who have no insurance or have no other source of paying for medical care. The center has a minimum charge and a sliding scale for patients that can afford it. The Center has appointments available Monday thru Friday. This is a ministry of several Northeast Arkansas churches and concerned individuals to provide affordable health care to the working uninsured and their families.

Seasonal Mission Needs

Souper Bowl of Caring
On Super Bowl Sunday, congregations from across the country will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring. This is a nationwide mission project geared at getting the young involved in outreach. The elementary age children of our church collect money and canned goods in their soup pots on Sunday morning before the Super Bowl. All donations collected are used to support our local food pantry.

Fisher Street Summer Food Program
Fisher Street United Methodist Church has created a program to feed the disadvantaged and homeless in their neighborhood throughout the summer months. We support this ministry by providing volunteers and donations of food and clothing.

Lent Mission

During the season of Lent (the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter), we ask that members of our congregation make a sacrificial offering. Programming and educational support is provided during this time to help communicate the importance of Lent, and one offering is made to a specific ministry each year at the completion of the Lenten Season.

Salvation Army Angel Tree

The Salvation Army gives Christmas bags filled with toys and clothing to local area children who might not otherwise have a happy holiday season. First United Methodist has supported this ministry for many years, and Angel Tree tags are available each November for distribution to the congregation.

City Youth "Adopt A Child for Christmas"

In December each year, City Youth Ministries hosts a Christmas party for children and their families. First United Methodist participates by sponsoring children with moderately priced gifts, in a way of showing them the Christ in Christmas.