Mission Opportunities
CURRENT MISSION INITIATIVES OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST ROCKWALL
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
Russia-New Commandment United Methodist Church-Voronezh, Russia
India-Methodist Bible Seminary-Vasad India
India-Gujarat Annual Conference Ministries of Gujarat, India
Mexico-Juntos Servimos Ministries-Matamoras, Mexico
Mexico-Aleluya Ministries-Reynosa, Mexico
Argentina-United Community Church-Buenos Aires, Argentina
Congo-Missionary Christina Cavener
Bahamas-Wesley MCCA-Eulthera, Bahamas
NATIONAL MISSIONS
Talihina, Oklahoma-St. Paul’s UMC-Choctaw Indian Nation
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
REGIONAL OR STATE OF TEXAS MISSIONS
Dallas, Texas-Wilkinson Center
Dallas, Texas-Bethlehem Center
Dallas, Texas-Agape Temple AME Church
San Antonio, Texas-Methodist Mission Home
Waco, Texas-Methodist Children’s Home
Dallas, Texas-Project Transformation
Dallas, Texas-Wesley Rankin Ministries
Texas-Wesley Foundation Ministries
Garland, Texas-San Juan Fellowship
Ft. Worth, Texas-Nueva Vida United Methodist Church
LOCAL MISSIONS
Society of St. Stephen
Habitat for Humanity
Helping Hands Ministries
Shoes for Kids
Camp Discovery
Saturday Night Alive
Pregnancy Resource Center
Boy’s & Girl’s Club of Rockwall
Rockwall Dental Missions
One Man’s Treasure Chest
Freedom in Community
Disciples 4 Christ
Mission Possible Kids
Giving Tree
Youth Ministry Missions: Juarez, New Orleans, Dallas
Mission Links
Official State Department background notes on Russia
Official State Department background notes on Mexico
Official State Department background notes on India
How to Apply for a U.S. Passport
U.S. Passport Policy Information
Currency Converter
Missions Team
Our Missions Team is involved in local and global missions. Each month a communion rail offering is collected for a specific local or global mission project. We organize and support adult mission teams in the United States as well as globally. Each year we sponsor a Missions Sunday with a guest preacher and several guest missionaries who speak to our adult Sunday School classes.
The Global Missions Committee reported that FUMC Rockwall provided more than 200 turkey or ham dinners along with a generous supply of canned goods for the Wilkinson Center Thanksgiving Basket program in November 2006. "Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1
In 2002 over 174 wonderful volunteers helped feed 550 people Thanksgiving dinner at the Dallas Bethlehem Center.
Everyone felt honored to be a part of the action. It was a real blessing to serve and visit with some of the neighborhood people.
In 2003 once again we helped again with cooking and serving the Bethlehem Center Thanksgiving Dinner.
FUMC sent a group of dedicated men and women on a mission trip to Mexico in October 2003.
In 2004 we sent a team to Veronezh, Russia to work with our sister church there, and in summer of 2005 we brought a team of Russians from Voronezh here for fellowship and to share information about how we involve our members in the work of our ministries.
If you would like more information on how you can be one of this wonderful group, please call the church office or email fumc@fumcrockwall.com.
Camp Discovery Summer Reading Ministry
This two-week camp gives underprivileged children a chance to practice their reading while at the same time discovering the love of Jesus Christ. Children read individually to church volunteers for thirty minutes, hear Bible stories, learn songs of faith and do arts and crafts. To donate or volunteer, call Susan Hansley.
Caring Friends Ministry
This ministry provides a caring, helping community among the shut-ins in our church. Personal contact as an agent of God’s love and care will be given to those confined at home through phone calls, cards, and a monthly visit.
Church Endowment This committee designs and promotes an all-inclusive program of ensuring that members have valid wills and may make a gift to the church which “keeps on giving” long after they have ceased to be present.
Crown Ministry
The Crown Ministry is a structured series of courses for training people to be financially faithful in order to know Christ more intimately and to be free to serve Him. This training takes place in small groups to apply the financial principles from the Bible to our lives, specifically in the area of financial management. A short class is available during Sunday School for adults, youth and children. A full 12-week course is available when a class of 8 makes.
First Friends
First Friends is a committee who welcomes and helps assimilate new members into the church family through new member dinners, phone calls and member information packets.
Gift of Life Stewardship
This is a ministry to inform the entire church and make opportunities available to respond to blood drives, emphasize organ and tissue donation opportunities, and take CPR training.
The Giving Tree
Our Giving Tree provides an opportunity for church members to provide Christmas gifts to nursing home residents, Camp Discovery kids and others who might otherwise not receive Christmas joy. To participate, contact Valarie Englert at 972-771-5500.
Historians
Our Historical Committee collects and preserves the magnificent history of this congregation. They maintain and preserve the written and oral records as an act of stewardship for future congregations.
India Initiatives
FUMC has two mission initiatives in India. One will target alcoholics and drug addicts in urban areas. The other will bring the gospel to a rural community in India. We are also raising funds for scholarships for Indian seminary students. For more information, contact Stan Scott or Arlene Phelps. View photos & information on the March 2006 trip to India here.
Nursing Home Ministry
This ministry provides bi-monthly devotionals in a group setting as well as one-on-one visitations in the nursing care facilities in our area.
Rockwall Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity uses monetary donations, donations of construction materials and volunteer labor to build houses for qualified low-income Rockwall residents. Nineteen houses have been built since the Rockwall chapter was established in 1994. FUMC conducts 2X4 Sunday in September to raise money to support this important mission activity. Volunteers are needed for the volunteer board, managing and supervising the construction process and helping construct the houses. Contact Ed Schwaneke for more information, or you can send a monetary contribution directly to Rockwall Habitat for Humanity at P.O. Box 4 Rockwall , TX 75087.
Russia Initiative Protestant Christianity is a relatively new phenomenon in Russia. FUMC supports the New Commandment United Methodist in Voronezh, Russia. A team from our church has visited Voronezh and a team from Voronezh has visited Rockwall. We pay half the annual salary of the New Commandment pastor. There are many needs that we would like to fulfill for our Russian sister church. For more information, call 972-771-5500.
A Message from Our Russian Friends: We were blessed to have Pastor Slava Kim from our sister church in Voronezh, Russia deliver our sermon on July 17, 2005. Click here for the text of his sermon, "United We Stand".
2004 photos and more information on our Sister Church: New Commandment United Methodist Church of Voronezh, Russia
Photos and information from the March 2006 mission trip.
Saturday Night Alive!
Saturday Night Alive is a Respite Ministry for parents who have children with disabilities. Parents drop off their children (including siblings) and enjoy a much needed break from the continuous work of taking care of a child who has special needs. There is no cost for participating families, but registration and reservations are required. Contact Lauri Ritter or the church office for more information (972.771.5500).
Shoes for Kids
Shoes for Kids is a growing FUMC-R sponsored mission that puts new school shoes and socks on nearly 900 underprivileged children in the Rockwall and Royse City Independent School Districts. This mission is also supported by donations from other area churches, service organizations and individuals. It culminates each August with volunteers fitting children with shoes. To donate or to volunteer, call Sherry Bonds or email her at sbonds@classicnet.net .
Society of St. Joseph the Carpenter
The Society of St. Joseph employs our building and maintenance skills and talents on behalf of the church and incapacitated church members. If you need help or would like to volunteer your talents, contact Stan Meyer for more information.
Society of St. Stephen
The Society of St. Stephen helps those in need in Rockwall County in the name of our church and our Lord. Many come our way with needs: transportation, rent, utilities, food, employment, medical needs, clothing, help with various kinds of paperwork, a listening ear. Because of the generosity of this congregation, needs are met, and lives are changed. This group of committed lay persons seek to please God by helping others in a very real way. For information about joining this ministry or donating funds toward its work, call Sherry Hamm.
UMW (United Methodist Women)
UMW is the largest single contributor to mission activities at First United Methodist. UMW raises funds through its annual Christmas bazaar, by recycling phones and ink cartridges, the UMW cookbook and an annual tea. Proceeds benefit a variety of local, regional and national mission activities including school supplies for local schools and scholarships for graduating church seniors. UMW hosts a book club and provides human interest seminars. For additional information, contact Patsy Flowers.
Waco Children’s Home Christmas Party
This Christmas party for church members is a lot of fun—and a way to collect presents for the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco. Founded in 1890, the Home began as an orphanage and has developed into a comprehensive program of care. The Home serves 500 children daily through residential care, a Boys Ranch, foster care and a college program. To participate, contact Tom Gregory.
Wesley Rankin Center
A fall gift drive gathers Christmas gifts for families who live near the Wesley-Rankin Center in West Dallas. In addition to purchasing gifts, volunteers are needed at the Center to serve as “Personal Shoppers” for families and “Gift Wrappers.” Another way to help: Wesley-Rankin supporters will visit FUMC Rockwall in December to take orders (and provide samples) of their delicious tamales. To participate, contact Jeannette Keton.
Wilkinson Center
Located in East Dallas at Munger Place, the Wilkinson Center's services are designed to work cooperatively with people in need who desire to create a better life, so they may realize their God-given potential and sustain themselves with dignity. Since 1982, the center has provided Christian community outreach and now offers a food pantry, after-school program, career development classes, and computer education. FUMC Rockwall supports The Wilkinson Center by preparing and distributing baskets containing the basics for Thanksgiving dinner. To participate, contact Patti Davis or Joetta Douglas. For more information on the Wilkinson Center, please visit their web site at http://www.wilkinsoncenter.org/.
Here are some photos from our very successful Wilkinson Center Thanksgiving food drive in November 2005:
Youth Ministry Missions
FUMC’s Youth Group goes on a mission trip during Spring Break. We have visited Mexico, Appalachia and other areas, helping build homes for local residents. On Halloween, we collect canned food goods for Helping Hands and we are involved in mission initiatives during the summer, including Camp Discovery, Project Transformation and Vacation Bible School. For more information, contact: Paul Maletic at the church office at 972.771.5500 or pmaletic@FumcRockwall.com.