KUMC Missions

Welcome!


Everyone is invited to take part in the missions of Kirkwood United Methodist Church. You can drop off mission collection items at the Connection Center on Sunday mornings or at the Church Office Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm.


What We Do

Kirkwood United Methodist Church's primary mission is LifeBridge, a non-profit organization begun at KUMC that helps to transform lives through resources and relationships. LifeBridge partners with individuals to help them set goals and provide the resources and training necessary to achieve  these goals while walking alongside them each step of the way.  There is a weekly market for participants who have registered for the Lifebridge program and frequent training classes that they can enroll in to learn financial skills.  


Learn more about the mission and outreach programs on LifeBridge's website circlerightarrow 


Volunteer to help with LifeBridge Missions. circlerightarrow




How do we put in food donations - when they are all covered by sponsoring classes now? 


Heart to Heart Tutoring? 


Clothes closet - I think can not be mentioned now as website is too public. 



Food Pantry Donations


In addition to LifeBridge, Kirkwood United Methodist also works with two local St. Louis food pantries, La Trinidad/Zion UMC Food Pantry, and St Andrew UMC Project Hope Food Pantry.  We  accept donations of unexpired food items, personal care, and cleaning supplies. A list of the most needed items is available in the Connection Center, or you can view the list using the link below. 


Click here to see the KUMC Connection Center Shopping List circlerightarrow


The Following Items Are No Longer Being Accepted at The Connections Center:


We no longer accept gently used household items, clothing, toys, etc.  A list of agencies that can accept your items is available in the Connection Center. Please email mission@kirkwoodumc.org with any questions.


Click here to find St. Louis Area Donation Drop-off Locations circlerightarrow


Questions? Contact KUMC Mission Leader, Julie Sherwood circleemail 

Current Mission Projects: 


  • Fed to FEed Others: KUMC's FOod Pantry

    Help our neighbors that might be experiencing food insecurity by dropping off non-perishable food, personal care items, and cleaning supplies at Kirkwood UMC.  Donations will be passed along to the food pantries of La Trinidad/Zion UMC Food Pantry and St Andrew UMC Project Hope Food Pantry, and some will stay at Kirkwood UMC to stock the shelves of the LifeBridge Market.


    You can take part in this ongoing mission by donating non-perishable food, personal care items, and cleaning supplies at the Connections Center, just inside the glass doors on Sunday mornings and during weekly office hours from 9 am -3 pm, Monday-Thursday. Here are the most needed items:


    KUMC Mission Window Shopping List


    Food

    • Pasta noodles

    • Spaghetti Sauce (in plastic jars)

    • Canned meats

    • Canned Soups

    • Canned Pasta (Chef Boyardee, etc)

    • Canned Fruits

    • Canned Veggies

    • Sugar

    • Rice

    • Peanut Butter

    • Jelly

    • Mac n Cheese

    • Helper Mixes

    • Cereal/Oatmeal

    Personal Care

    • Crest or Colgate toothpaste (7.3 oz or larger)

    • Toothbrushes

    • Dove boxed soap for sensitive skin

    • Sensitive skin baby wipes

    • Diapers/Pull Ups

    • Shampoo

    Cleaning Supplies

    • Laundry pods (any type)

    • Disinfectant wipes--large containers, 75+ wipes (any brand)

    • Bleach--121 oz (Clorox preferred)

    • Ajax dish soap--28 oz

    • Individually wrapped toilet paper (any brand, but MUST be pre-wrapped)

    • Individually wrapped paper towels (any brand, but MUST be pre-wrapped)

  • EPworth Teen OutReach Assistance

    Hygiene kits with travel-sized shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wipes, & deodorant are needed right now for Epworth Children and Family Services' homeless teen outreach program. Please donate any of these travel-sized items to be made into kits or make complete kits all of these items, sealed in a ziplock bag ready to hand out.   


    Snack packs are also needed, which include non-perishables like canned tuna, chips, granola bars, bottled water, fruit snacks, etc. Please donate these items or kits at the Connections Window on Sunday mornings or during weekly office hours, Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm to get to Epworth as soon as possible to ensure these teens get nourishment. 

KUMC MISSION TRIPS - 2024

Here are the Mission Trips KUMC has planned in 2024:

  • Hinton Rural Life Center MIssion Trip

    July 21 - 26, Hayesville, NC

    Registration is now closed

    KUMC is going back to Hinton! The trip will leave the church on Sunday, July 21 at 7am in a van and/or cars.  Lodging will depend on the number of participants and maybe hotel-type rooms, a retreat center, or cabins. There will be work Monday-Wednesday doing roofing, building wheelchair ramps, laying floors (no experience required), and other non-physical work. Thursday we will enjoy some fun in the area (white water rafting, a day on a pontoon boat on Lake Chatuge, and a visit to the Beautiful Nantahala Outdoor Center). Lunch and dinner on Thursday, rafting, lake costs, and meals on the road are not included in the mission trip cost. 


    Full Trip Details circlerightarrow 


    Questions? Email Dan Stokes circleemail

  • God's Child Project Mission Trip

    GUATEMALA

    February 24 - March 3


SERVE GOD BY SERVING HIS PEOPLE AT KUMC


  • Hospitality Opportunities

    Where can you make the biggest impact? 

    Experience the fun of welcoming new and long-time friends by serving as an Ambassador on Sunday mornings and other special events. Greet guests arriving for worship and help them to find their way to childcare, Sunday classes, and Worship. Help others get to church that need transportation, or volunteer to help out at the church office a few hours a week. There are are so many opportunities where you can volunteer and make a big impact! Below you will find the list of different opportunities where we would welcome your assistance, or other ministries of KUMC that are looking for new volunteers. To volunteer, contact Pastor Steven Blair

    Email Pastor Steven Blair circleemail

    • Ambassador - Greet/help all who enter our doors (come 35 minutes early)
    • Usher - Help in the worship space (come 30 minutes early)
    • Parking Lot Welcome (9:50 - 10:40)
    • Transportation - Transport those who can't drive to and from Worship
    • Kids' Worship - Help Kristi Atkinson during the service of your choice
    • Connections Window worker - before the service of your choice
    • Worship - Communion Server or Liturgist
    • Music - Choir, instrumentalist, solois
    • Congregational Care
    • Front Office - Phones, administrative tasks or projects one day/week for 3 hours
    • Heart to Heart Tutoring - Tutor one child on Wednesdays and Thursday afternoons. Safe Gatherings required
    • LifeBridge Market Greeter - Wednesdays 5:15 - 7:45 Welcome and guide Market clients
    • LifeBridge Market Worker - Wednesdays 5:15 - 8:15 Assist clients, bag and check out, restock
    • LifeBridge Market Shopper - Shop for food, set up in Market Mon, Tues, or Wed before 3:00
    • LifeBridge Kitchen Helper - Assist Kitchen Manager Wednesdays 4-6:30 on class days
    • LifeBridge Transportation - Transport participants to/from classes/events


God has blessed each of us with the spiritual gift of SERVING. How will you engage to more fully understand the heart of God? All are welcome to be the hands and feet of Christ in mission through service within KUMC. Browse the following mission projects and serving opportunities


Questions About Missions?

Director of Mission - Julie Sherwood

314-966-8167 x 131

circleemail

Questions About KUMC Hospitality Opportunities? 

Office Manager - Debbie Dillion

314-966-8167 x119

circleemail 

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