Outreach Ministries

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Many members of the church have been trained as Stephen Ministers.  They are available to accompany and support people through times of crisis amd difficulty.    Assignments are made through the pastor.  The motto the Stephen Ministry is that no one should have to carry a burden alone.  Stephen Ministers meet with their care-receivers weekly and offer Christian fellowship, comfort, care and encouragement. What goes on between the Stephen Minister and the care-receiver is confidential.

If you know someone going through a crisis or difficulty, you are welcome to bring that to the attention of the pastor (who serves as the Stephen Ministry Referral Coordinator). No Stephen Minister is ever assigned to anyone without their permission!  If the person agrees to have a Stephen Minister, an assignment will be made as soon as possible.

Stephen Ministers are available to serve people in need outside the congregation as well as members.  The referral process takes place the same way.

COAT FOOD PANTRY

Archdale UMC is a supporter of Community Outreach of Archdale-Trinity (COAT). Archdale UMC is glad to accept food donations for COAT. COAT also needs Volunteers, to volunteer call the COAT office at 431-3663. Thank you for your generosity.

SHOE BOX MINISTRY

Archdale UMC members prepare shoe boxes filled with items for underprivileged children around the world to be delivered around Christmas each year. The box contains personal items-soap, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, pencils, crayons, coloring books, stuffed animals, small cars, dolls, play jewelry, hair bows, books, along with other useful items. These items are placed in a wrapped shoe box (left open for inspection) or in a plastic container the approximate size of a shoe box. Money is also needed to cover the cost of mailing these boxes. You may contribute the shoe box and money or either of them or individual items. This box contains more comfort, laughter, enjoyment, love and faith for children than the pair of shoes that came in the box. These boxes are shipped in November of each year to arrive in different designations by Christmas. What a joy and blessing for both the child and the giver in this important mission project.

COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS VOLUNTEERS

Archdale UMC has signed on to the Community in Schools Volunteer program to help provide adult friends to children in the public schools who need special attention. Volunteers can sign up to be a Lunch Buddy or someone who reads to children.  The school identifies the children who need special attention and the volunteer makes a weekly contact.  Any adult is welcome.

GUILFORD INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK

Archdale UMC is part of the Guilford Interfaith Hospitality Network which is a group of local congregations working together to provide temporary housing and hospitality to homeless families in our community. Archdale Friends Meeting serves with us as support church during our rotation as host church. Each quarter up to five families - fathers, mothers, and children from birth to teens - are transported every afternoon for a week to our church where one classroom for each family has been converted into a bedroom. Our volunteers welcome our guests, assist them in getting settled in, and provide dinner and breakfast daily along with opportunities to socialize with members of our church. During the day the guests go back to the Day Center in High Point and from there go on to jobs or school, and work with the social worker to find housing.

To support this ministry volunteers are needed for setup, cleanup, van driving, laundry, grocery shopping, dinner and breakfast preparation, evening hosts and overnight hosts. Donations are also accepted. For more information or to volunteer contact AUMC coordinator Carolyn Lawrence at clawrence@northstate.net 861-2105, or visit the GIHN website.