The work of Missions in virtually any context involves relationships-- interactions in the name of Jesus Christ between and among persons and organizations. We at Orange UMC reach out in the name of Jesus Christ to help and serve everyone.
Local Missions
Orange Prison Ministry
Our One Day With God Camp is held annually, usually on a Saturday in the summer at Orange UMC. At the camp, inmate parents and their child participate in a series of spiritually based events with the aim of building their relationship as a family and their relationship with God to promote healing and reconciliation. This year's camp is being held on Saturday, July 30, 2011. Contact Mary Anne or Wayne Vanderburg for more information.
The Fabulous Fathers program is a follow-up to the One Day With God Camp but volunteers need not have attended a camp. Volunteers meet once each month (currently the last Friday of the month from 7-9 p.m.) for two hours with inmate fathers at Orange Correctional Center to encourage them as parents and Christians. Contact Mary Anne or Wayne Vanderburg for more information.
Through the leadership of Eric & Denise Hallfors, we share in worship each month at Orange Correctional Center, and help in the financial support of Chaplain Ken Barker, whose position at the Alamance-Orange Prison Ministry depends on local church support. If you would like to join Orange Church in worship at Orange Correctional, please contact Eric Hallfors.
Each Christmas season, OUMC supports an Angel Tree. Our Angel Tree holds the names of children who's parent(s) are incarcerated and need help receiving presents for Christmas. Choose an Angel from the tree and you become an Angel to these children by providing them with gifts and love. Contact Terry and Marc Law to participate in the Angel Tree.
IFC / Homestart
We continue to support the local outreach of the Interfaith Council to the homeless in our community. IFC celebrated their 40th year of service in Chapel Hill-Carrboro in 2003, still with many challenges.
Our congregation provides a full dinner and serves the meal each month at the IFC Homeless Shelter in downtown Chapel Hill. On the first Thursday of each month, you can help provide food to the shelter by dropping it off in the church kitchen before 5:00pm. You can also help serve at the shelter by arriving there at 6:00pm. Contact Liz Moore for more information on how you can be involved with our IFC Homeless Shelter dinners.
We also provide dinner four times per month at the Homestart resettlement program that addresses the needs of homeless women and children. To sign-up to provide a dinner for 16-20 people at Homestart, contact Shirley Duvall.
Habitat for Humanity
We participate in Habitat for Humanity by building houses in conjunction with other Methodist churches in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Our most recent home in the Phoenix Place development was dedicated on October 17, 2010 with a mother and her 3 children moving in to their very own home for the first time. To be involved with Habitat for Humanity, contact OUMC's Sending Coordinator, Patrick Jones.
Adopt-A-Highway
John Landreth is the point person for our cleanup effort of a section of Homestead Road, carried out several times each year.
Foreign Missions
Orange continues to participate in and support the following overseas missions as part of our outreach to fellow Christians and to those in need of Christ's redeeming love throughout the world.
ZOE Medical Mission Trips
To read about past ZOE trips or for information on the most recent trip from February 12-22, 2011, click here.
