Each year St. Paul's partners with various local ministries throughout Cedar Rapids, our Iowa United Methodist connection, and even our international United Methodist connection. The most visible way we partner with these missions is through our mission partner offerings throughout the year, but St. Paul’s members also serve at some of the local missions. We are beginning to develop deeper relationships with other mission partners we know, trust, and support.
Helping Hands provides emergency material assistance, referrals, and supportive ministry to persons in emergency need in collaboration with local agencies and faith communities in Linn County.
How to get involved
See wish list on Helping Hands website.
Human Relations Day strengthens United Methodist outreach to communities in the United States and Puerto Rico, encouraging social justice and work with at-risk youth.
How to get involved
Primary way of support is through the offering at St. Paul's UMC.
Neighborhood Meals For twenty-five years, the Neighborhood Meal and Enrichment Program (NMEP) has provided free warm, nutritious meals for the Wellington Heights, Mound View, and Oak Hill and other neighborhood children and their families during the summer months. Noon meals are prepared and served at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with sponsorship and support of six community churches: Christ Episcopal, First Lutheran, First Presbyterian, Grace Episcopal, St. Paul's United Methodist, and Westminster Presbyterian. The meal is followed by the SPRINT enrichment program for children.
How to get involved Help us continue to serve those in our community who need a midday meal. Donations can also be made by cash or check and mailed or delivered to the church office. To donate food, contact NMEP director Joanne Kriz.
Easter Offering Through your generous contributions in today’s special Easter offering, we will be able to support Take 10!, a summer reading program, for selected students at Johnson STEAM Academy. The program includes providing books, support, and accountability to the students. Also, up to $12,000 will be matched by the St. Paul’s Foundation to go toward our apportionment giving.
How to get involved
St. Paul's website, look for details in March/April.
Ingathering Kits provides school supplies and basic health supplies to send around the world.
How to get involved
See website for detailed list of kit supplies. Provide items (typically in summer/fall), help assemble kits in October, or join a team to help deliver kits to Louisiana to be prepped to send into the world.
His Hands Free Clinic provides free medical, chiropractic, women's health, mental health, physical therapy and dental services in the Wellington Heights neighborhood.
How to get involved
Seeking medical volunteers, social work volunteers, administrative/clerical, and prayer support for patients. St. Paul's get involved with the May IMM to do light maintenance work for the clinic.
Peace with Justice enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs.
How to get involved
Primary way of support is through the offering.
Matthew 25 revitalizes communities, creates a healthy food culture, and mentoring youth.
How to get involved
"Transform 2016" - local mission work July 11-15. Volunteer by being a book buddy, staff Groundswell event, garden with children, create a team for neighborhood building work, support the tool library, work at the urban farm.
Women at the Well is The United Methodist Church that meets inside the walls of the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville. Not only does Women at the Well offer hope and support to the women while they are at Mitchellville, but they also coordinate reentry teams to provide support as women leave the prison.
How to get involved
How to get involved: contact Pastor Jonathan (jhefner@stpaulsumc.org) if you are interested in visiting and worshiping inside the walls of ICIW with Women at the Well or if you would like to serve on a reentry team..
Neighborhood Emergency Fund offers small amounts of assistnace in the form of vouchers, bus passes, or bill assistance to individuals in desperate need.
How to get involved
Listen, pray, and offer care to individuals with significant needs; and awareness of various community assistance programs is also helpful, but not necessary.
World Communion provides scholarships for U.S. racial- and ethnic-minority students and international students, on both undergraduate and graduate levels.
How to get involved
Primary way of support is through the offering.
Family Promise help homeless and low-income local families achieve sustainable independence.
How to get involved
Cooking and serving meals, playing with children or helping them with homework, and staying overnight when families stay at ST. Paul's for a week, a few times a year. Beyond providing lodging and meals, volunteers interact with the guests, treating them with respect and responding with compassion.
