The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me. (Matthew 25:40)

Missions Coordinator:  Sandy Underhill

Our main focus is to feed the hungry, shelter the poor, clothe the needy and bring people the Word of God. Listed below are the local, national, and international mission initiatives we have chosen to support through our regular giving, special collections and fund raising efforts. Other charities receive donated items such as clothing or children’s toys. Still others are supported by personal involvement by ACUMC members.

Our Mission Projects throughout the Year

UMCOR KITS
When:   May/June
Members put together choice of health kits, sewing kits, layette kits, bedding kits or school kits for distribution in the US and international emergency distribution. Kits are taken by the Pastor to VA Annual Conference for shipping to UMCOR.

CHILI COOKOFF
When:   February
Annual missions fundraiser done on a potluck Sunday. Proceeds benefit a designated charity or project each year.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
When:  August
Supplies for school children in Fairfax County are collected each year and distributed to Cunningham Park Elementary School (in a low income community).

WEEKEND BACKPACK MEALS
When: Several Times throughout the School Year
Food items for kids to take home for weekend snacks/meals are packaged and delivered to Cedar Lane School.

GRATE PATROL
When: Mid August
Making sandwiches and putting together bagged meals for the homeless in Wash. DC. Includes funding the purchase of food, shopping, assembly of food, and delivery and ride along with Salvation Army truck to distribute.

MISSIONS GARDEN
When:  June – September
Vegetables are planted and maintenance and picking done by Andrew Chapel members with a sign-up sheet. Food offered for sale Sundays during growing season. What is not sold gets donated to Food for Others.

TEDDY BEAR BRIGADE
When:  October
Collect teddy bears and stuffed animals for Gleaning for the World to distribute to children around the world. Collections delivered to Burke UMC who sends to GFTW.

THANKSGIVING MEALS
When:  November
Collection of food boxes for Cornerstones of Reston to distribute to their clients at Thanksgiving.

CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE
When:  Late Nov. – Early Dec.
Members select names from a Christmas tree to provide a requested Christmas gift for a child at Cunningham Park Elementary.

MITTEN TREE
When:  December
Throughout December and beginning of January, we collect warm mittens, gloves, hats and scarves to be sent to Jubilee Project which serves Sneedville, TN.

BLESSING BAGS
Packages of useful items are available for members to hand out to homeless (water, lotion, toothbrush/toothpaste, comb, resources list, etc.)

ONGOING COLLECTIONS:
Eye Glasses – recycle used eyeglasses through the Lions Club
Cell Phones – recycle used cell phones for charity

FOOD PANTRY
When: Ongoing
Food collections throughout the year for drop-in food requests.

Charities We Support

• All God’s Children’s Camp
• Britepaths
• CHO (Committee for Helping Others)
• Gleaning for the World
• Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
• Memory Cafe
• Missionary:  Lisa Nichols, Jubilee Project
• Rising Hope United Methodist Church
• Shepherds Center of Oakton-Vienna
• Rise Against Hunger
• SHARE of McLean
• Society of St. Andrew
• UMCOR