Core Mission Opportunities
For more information about the UPUMC Missions Movement or our Core Missions Partners, please fill out our Mission Movement Interest Form. If you have additional questions, please contact Wanda Hooten.
Ways to Serve:
Missions Movement Volunteer Opportunities 2025
Wesley-Rankin Donation Request
Wesley-Rankin, one of our core mission partners, is in need of supplies for their children's afterschool program and adult sewing clubs. If you can help with their needs, please see below are the requested items.
- Snacks for our students – Afterschool programs depend on snacks to keep students energized and focused. The shelves are running low, and we need help restocking. You can visit our Amazon Wishlist to send snacks directly to Wesley-Rankin.
- Fabric for our Casa Feliz sewing club—This group of talented older adults creates incredible projects, including quilts they donate to the Methodist Auxiliary Group to support cancer patients. They need fabric donations to continue their work. If you would like to drop off the fabric, please contact Becky Stegmann at 214-742-6674.
UMCOR California Wildfire Relief Efforts
The wildfires burning in the greater Los Angeles area have swept through more than 40,000 acres and have caused over 100,000 residents to evacuate. UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and it's partners are currently accepting donations to help with their relief efforts. If you would like to support UMCOR's efforts, click HERE.
Operación Abrigo Mission Trip 2025
March 8-10, 2025
All are welcome to join our mission team for the spring mission opportunity to Juarez, Mexico, to build homes for those in need. The cost is $200 per person, which includes food and lodging during the stay. Transportation is not included (if you choose to fly to El Paso, flight information is below)
Registration and payment can be made through the link below. Enter payment amount, select fund Operación Abrigo, and enter "Trip Payment" in the memo.
Flight information:
Saturday, March 8 - Southwest Airlines #716, Departs DAL @ 8:00am, Arrives ELP @ 8:50am
Monday, March 10= Southwest Airlines #2626,Departs ELP @4:25pm, Arrives DAL @7:05pm
Mission Trip Medication Donations
February 1 - 28
We are collecting over-the-counter medications for our Juarez Mission Team to take and donate to the local medical clinic. These medicines will help locals who might not otherwise have access to medical care. Donations can be dropped off at the collection box across from the Welcome Desk from February 1 through February 28.
Requested items:
Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Naproxen Sodium, Cold & Flu medications (adults and children), Allergy medications (Zyrtec or Claritin, adults and children), Stomach medications (Pepto Bismol or Milk of Magnesia, adults and children), Glucometers, Sanitizing items, Examination gloves in sizes Small/Large.
Christ's Foundry Bread Ministry
Each Saturday, Christ's Foundry distributes bread and bakery goods to neighbors in need. UPUMC regularly partners with Christ's Foundry to provide volunteers who will go to their two partner stores, pick up the bread and bakery goods at 9 AM (stores will have them ready), and deliver them to Christ's Foundry by 10 AM for distribution. To volunteer for one or more Saturdays, you can sign up here!
Christ's Foundry Food Pantry
On the first Tuesday of every month, from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, you can help sort and prepare family bags that help many Christ's Foundry families. Tasks include unloading food and sorting and loading it into individual family food bags. This is a great opportunity to teach younger children how to help in this service and makes a great family activity! It does involve some physical activity such as lifting and moving cases of food.
Volunteers with valid driver's licenses are also needed on Tuesdays to pick up a U-Haul in South Oak Cliff, drive to Crossroads Community Ministries for loading, then to Christ's Foundry for unloading, and return the U-Haul. The time commitment is approximately 10 AM-12 PM. No physical labor is required. The church will make a U-Haul reservation under the volunteer's name. Contact Rev. Amy Spaur (christsfoundry@gmail.com, 214-704-6628) for more information.
Christ's Foundry Piano and Guitar Lessons
Christ's Foundry is looking for teachers who can provide basic piano and guitar lessons for youth beginners. Ideally, it will be a 10-week commitment on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15 PM. If you would like to volunteer or want more information, please contact Rev. Amy Spaur.
Get more information about UPUMC's partnership with Christ's Foundry.
Operación Abrigo Fall Mission Team to Juarez
UPUMC's fall adult mission team to build homes In Juarez, Mexico. The group is led by Emmy Zumwalt (emmyzumwalt@airskunk.net), an active UPUMC's mission team member. The mission trip dates are to be determined but will be confirmed in August 2025. The cost will be $200/person plus airfare. Look for more information in the coming months!
Get more information about UPUMC's partnership with Operación Abrigo.
Project Transformation
Project Transformation hosts events with UPUMC's support throughout the year! Check back regularly to see when you have an opportunity to partner with PT!
Get more information about UPUMC's partnership with Project Transformation.
Wesley-Rankin Afterschool Program
The Wesley-Rankin Afterschool Program provides children and youth activities and homework support, which reinforce core concepts to bolster school academic performance. Students choose from a selection of interest club each semester, including: violin, debate, coding, basketball, and photography. Volunteers assist with classroom support, leading clubs, and building relationships with students Mondays-Thursdays from 3-6 PM. For more information, visit the Wesley-Rankin website.
Wesley-Rankin B3X Summer Camp Supplies
The Wesley-Rankin B3X Summer Camp utilizes hands-on activities to reinforce core learning in science, math, reading, and art! In order for their curriculum to be engaging and individualized for all 180 students, they require a lot of supplies. If you wish to support Wesley-Rankin B3X Summer Camp by purchasing supplies, you can do so by visiting their Amazon Wishlist.
Wesley-Rankin B3X Summer Camp Volunteers
Our largest need for volunteers this summer is our B3X Summer Camp. B3X is a STEAM-based (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) camp that aims to provide our 180 students with individualized and hands-on learning experiences. Volunteers are needed to support classroom instruction, lead small group activities, chaperone field trips, or offer specialty clubs. Volunteers in B3X are integral to providing students with individualization and quality time.
UPUMC has agreed to provide volunteers for camp from Monday, July 22, to Wednesday, July 24, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Interested volunteers can find more information and the Summer Volunteer Application on the Wesley-Rankin B3X website here. (Please allow at least 48-72 hours in advance to complete the Wesley-Rankin onboarding process. The minimum age to volunteer is 14. All volunteers must complete the application, sexual abuse awareness training, and online orientation. Volunteers over 18 must also complete a criminal background check.)
Wesley-Rankin Brighter Bites
Wesley-Rankin needs volunteers for their grocery bag assembly! Brighter Bites will deliver large pallets of produce and grocery items to the WR facility every week to be distributed to families. Volunteer groups are needed from 1-2 PM on Tuesdays to bag items so they are ready to go! This volunteer position does not require an application, background check, or other trainings. Volunteers simply need to sign up beforehand.
Wesley-Rankin Scholars Tutors
The Wesley-Rankin Scholars Program collaborates with the June Shelton School, offering tutoring for students with learning differences, Mondays-Thursdays, 2:30-4 PM and Saturdays 9 AM-12 PM. Students learn reading and writing using tools that align with how they best learn. During sessions, tutors will either lead instruction using a multi-sensory structured language (MSL) approach to reading or will utilize auditory discrimination and memory training. Volunteers are required to participate in a full day of initial training before they begin serving. Trainings are offered once per quarter. For more information, visit the Wesley-Rankin Scholars Program website.
Get more information about UPUMC's partnership with Wesley-Rankin.
Project Mission Opportunities
Austin Street Cooking
Austin Street Center's mission is to provide safe shelter and meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable homeless. You can partner with Austin Street Center and UPUMC to accomplish this goal by volunteering to shop, boil, cook, deliver & serve on the following weekends:
JANUARY DATES TO BE CONFIRMED
Shop: for groceries and deliver them before the church closes at noon on Friday.
Cook: Saturday from 9-11 AM in the church kitchen.
Boil: We need 36 dozen eggs delivered to the church by 10:30 AM on Saturday.
Deliver: Pack up the Pigs in a blanket and drive them to Austin Street Center after we finish cooking on Saturday at 11 AM. (Large vehicle required)
Serving: We need a minimum of 8 people to serve on Sunday morning at 6:30 AM at ASC. Carpooling is available.
For more information on this opportunity to serve, or to volunteer, contact Matt Hopkins (214-563-1924) or Christy Baker.
