Ivy Creek United Methodist Church

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Missions and Outreach

God's salvation takes into account
the least, the last, and the lost.

Missions and Outreach is the heartbeat of Ivy Creek United Methodist Church. Our goal is to have every member involved in some way in our Mission and Outreach efforts. Following is information about our current ministries.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still serving members and the community, just a little differently until it is deemed safe to meet together again in person. There are many ways to serve God through the church and its ministries. We invite you to consider how God may be calling you to serve and to become involved in the various opportunities at Ivy Creek.

Below are some of the opportunities available for you to use your gifts in the church and community.

Angel Tree:

The Angel Tree ministry provides underprivileged children and seniors with holiday gifts and proof that someone cares. We select recipients from different segments of our community and members are urged to select names and purchase gifts.

Contact: Karen Horridge or Laurie Martin.

Christian Arts Academy:

Ivy Creek’s version of Vacation Bible School is a one week camp held the last full week in July. The focus is on seeing God in the arts. All children in our community who are rising Kindergartners through Grade 8 are welcome to attend. Each evening begins with singing and devotions, followed by two or three classes of arts, crafts, and hands-on fun. Classes are led by experienced practitioners of the arts as well as classroom assistants. Visit the Ivy Creek Christian Arts Academy web site at IvyCreekChristianArts.org to learn more.

Contact: Sue Smith

Cedars Healthcare Center Ministry:

Snack collection is still ongoing, and Angel Tree gifts are provided for Unit 1. Ivy Creek volunteers provide monthly activities with or for residents as pandemic protocols allow.

Crop Hunger Walk:

With humble beginnings back to 1969, these are now community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by religious groups, businesses, schools, and others to raise funds to end hunger in the United States and around the world. Ivy Creekers walk to help neighbors near and far get the meals they need today and sustainable food security for tomorrow. Twenty-five percent of funds raised are returned to the host community to support their local efforts.

Contact: Sue Smith

Food Drives:

We are holding periodic "drive-thru" food campaigns in order to help supply needed basics to local food pantries.

Impact:

A grassroots movement with a mission to bring a greater degree of justice and fairness to the Charlottesville and Albemarle area. Currently, IMPACT has 26 member congregations (including Ivy Creek UMC) that join together to work on the root causes of community problems. They represent over 15,000 people across greater Charlottesville. IMPACT addresses and achieves solutions to community problems by listening to the voices in our congregations, strengthening relationships within and between congregations, conducting research, and taking direct action. Through coming together, we build our power to effect systemic change in our community and our ability to successfully live out God’s call to do justice. Members of Ivy Creek UMC attend the fall and spring meeting and bring others with them to participate in bringing justice and fairness. This is the way we show our strength in numbers.

Contact: Kim Crater or Dick Faris

Ivy Creek School:

Part of the Piedmont Regional Education Program, Ivy Creek School has K-12 students from eight local school districts who have a hard time co-existing in the region's public schools. Ivy Creek UMC supports the school through delivered snacks, backpacks for the students in the fall, and other identified ways we can serve staff and students.

Contact: Karen Horridge

Kits For Conference:

The United Methodist Church has a relief organization known as United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). This group supplies Hygiene, School and Cleaning kits to people across the country who have suffered a disaster. Each year Ivy Creek participates in this effort, which is coordinated by Sarah’s Circle – watch for notice in the monthly newsletter.

PACEM:

A grassroots organization that coordinates space and volunteers to provide shelter for individuals in our community who are homeless. More than sixty congregations in the Charlottesville area open their doors – setting up cots, serving warm evening meals, and providing companionship. PACEM is also a Latin word meaning peace. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are one of many congregations who are delivering meals to temporary shelters.

Contact: Leigh Anne Schiebel or Susan Keeney

Rise Against Hunger:

Rise Against Hunger is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies. Once or twice a year Ivy Creek UMC opens the Fellowship Hall for the pre-packaging of thousands of meals by church and community volunteers, which are later distributed to people in developing nations around the world. Monetary donations are always welcome year-round.

The Wesley Foundation:

The Wesley Foundation is the United Methodist student fellowship at the University of Virginia. One of the features is a Thursday meal. Ivy Creek is one of the churches that provides meals for this ministry during the school's terms.

Women's Ministry:

Sarah's Circle is a women's ministry whose mission is to support one another, our church, and the local and world community. They meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month except for July and August. Sarah's Circle provides home-bound individuals with gift bags at Christmas, oversees the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Card Ministry and coordinates the collection of UMCOR kits. They also support PACEM and the Wesley Foundation with meals. During the holidays, Sarah's Circle supports local charities with monetary donations.