Serve

See below for local and ongoing community outreach missions currently happening through Grace UMC. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact the church office at 703-361-7800 or office@umcgrace.org.

Current opportunities to serve others

All God’s Children Camp

Grace UMCMay 13, 2021

This is a ministry of the Virginia Annual Conference. All God’s Children Camp is a camp for children ages 7…

Red Cross Blood Drive

Grace UMC continues to partner with the Red Cross to hold blood drives in our Fellowship Hall. This is a great way that we regularly serve our community. Here are few photos from the most recent blood drive during COVID.

Transition Ministry

This ministry helps those who are transitioning from one life situation to another. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Barbara at office@umcgrace.org. Thank you!

The Grace Transition Ministry organized and planned a coat and blanket drive for those in need. The group also collected a van-load of books to donate. Even during a pandemic, we can still show God’s Love to those around us!

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Grace offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to those in our community seeking to develop and refine their English skills. Click here for class schedule information.

In addition, here is another great resource for finding volunteer opportunities in our community: volunteerprincewilliam.org

School Supply Drive for GTS

Please help as you are able to support the kids in Georgetown South (GTS) as they prepare for virtual school this fall. The drive runs now through Aug, 22, 2020. Items may be ordered via the Amazon Wish List and delivered directly to GTS. Or, items on the Printable Supply List may be purchased at any store and dropped off directly in the bin at the GTS Community Center (9444 Taney Rd., Manassas, VA 20110), Monday-Friday between 9am & 4pm. For questions or to arrange porch pick-up, please email Debbie Cali at dcali@umcgrace.org. Thank you!

Caring and Sharing Food Pantry and Financial Assistance Program

As a congregation, we have realized the need for emergency food and financial assistance in our community. In response, the Caring and Sharing Program was created to help Manassas area families in their time of need. This Ministry is supported through generous contributions by members of Grace Church, especially through Communion Sunday special offerings and food pantry donations. If you wish to help with screening of recipients, or simply need more information about this Ministry, please contact the church office.

The Ministry is staffed by volunteers and is available on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:00 pm. Recipients of food and financial help are required to come to the church to fill out paperwork providing personal and financial information. Identification and a copy of the utility bill, lease, late due rent notice, etc., are also required. Each recipient may receive food assistance once a month. Financial assistance is available once every six months.

We greatly appreciate donations of food to the pantry.

Canned meats, spaghetti (1 lb), spaghetti sauce (24-28 oz cans/jars), peanut butter (14-18 oz), saltine crackers, a box/pouch side dish (mac-n-cheese, etc), 3 cans of veggies/legumes, a can or 3-4 single serve cups/cans of fruit, a small box or 3-4 single serve boxes of cereal, a can of meal pasta/meal soups, extra items such as ramen noodles or Hamburger Helper as available. We also provide diapers and wipes when available (larger diaper sizes seem to be in more demand).

Support for SERVE

SERVE is the local homeless shelter and emergency food and assistance program of the Northern Virginia Family Services. Grace’s SERVE Milk Ministry provides six gallons of 2% milk to the homeless shelter each week through the generosity of church families who sign up to purchase and deliver the milk to the shelter on Sunday or Monday. Grace’s SERVE40 Ministry provides 40 brown bagged lunches weekly for residents of the shelter who are working or going to school. (This program is currently on hold.)

English as a Second Language 2

Grace offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to those in our community seeking to develop and refine their English skills. Due to COVID-19, fall classes will be held online via ZOOM. More info coming soon!

Volunteer Opportunities: We have a complete ESL team on Monday nights and another team on Thursday nights. Your commitment is for one of those two nights.

Lead Teachers: Plan, organize, and provide instruction in the speaking, reading, and writing of the English Language. Our students typically are mainly concerned about being able to communicate on the job, with neighbors, shopping, etc. Our classes are highly interactive and engaging. Textbook, resources, and training are available. Many of our lead teachers were assistants or table teachers first.

Assistant Teachers: No prep time or experience needed. Paired with another experienced lead teacher in Levels 1–3. Assists the lead teacher and participates in class activities.

Table Teachers: No prep time or experience needed.

Hospitality: 6:45–8:30pm: Greet students as they arrive. Prepare and set up snacks for Break Time. Interact with students during break to encourage their English speaking skills. Clean up, as well.

For those seeking further information about becoming a student, making a donation, teaching or other ESL volunteer opportunities, please contact Janice at office@umcgrace.org.

Georgetown South Tutoring & Outreach

The Georgetown South Tutoring Program currently meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 pm.

Grace has partnership with Georgetown South and provides several summer camps for kids from both GTS and Grace.For more information about our Grace/Georgetown South Partnerships, please contact the church office at 703-361-7800 or office@umcgrace.org.

Grace Giving Garden

The Grace Giving Garden is located by the big barn/shed and lower parking level of the church, and is a source of fresh vegetables and herbs to members of our community. Produce is distributed through the Grace Caring and Sharing Program, and through the Georgetown South Community Center. Excess produce is also given to the SERVE shelter. For more information contact Debbie Cali. Check out the Grace Giving Garden Facebook page.

Monthly Kids’ Mission Groups

FBI (Faith Bible Investigators) for 1st & 2nd graders and TAG (Take And Give) for 3rd-5th graders are once-a-month mission opportunities. They meet on the third Sunday of each month at 12:15 pm, following the 11:00 am worship service. Come for lunch and fun activities at church that help others and help young elementary students to learn the Bible and grow in their faith! Contact Arleen Field for more information.

Outreach Events

Grace has Outreach Events each year for our church families and our neighbors. Here are a couple events we’ve held recently:
FallFest
This event includes hot dogs, hayrides, games and activities, and Trunk-or-Treat! The festivities conclude with our annual PipeScreams “A Concert in the Dark,” featuring our wonderful pipe organ.
Change the World Weekend
This event is held at Grace UMC and within the local community to provide hands-on mission opportunities and projects for all ages.

Want to learn more about Serving at Grace outside of the pandemic? Take a look below:

Outreach, missions and service are a vital part of our growth as Christian disciples. Jesus taught us to “feed the hungry,” “clothe the naked,” and “care for the poor.” Risk-taking mission means different things to different people. Maybe it means bringing a can of food to share with the Caring and Sharing food pantry. Maybe it means donating your time by participating in a local mission project. Whatever it means to you, Grace is sure to have an opportunity available! Please contact us at 703-361-7800 or office@umcgrace.org.

Opportunities at Grace

Mission Trips & Camps