God's salvation takes into account
the least, the last, and the lost.
Missions and Outreach is the heartbeat of Ivy Creek United Methodist Church. Our goal is to have every member involved in some way in our Mission and Outreach efforts. There are many opportunities to serve our local and global community.
Angel Tree Ministry
The Angel Tree ministry serves to provide holiday gifts to underprivileged children and seniors, demonstrating that they are valued and cared for. We carefully select recipients from various segments of our community and encourage members to participate by selecting names and purchasing gifts.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is held each summer. All children in our community who are Pre-K through Grade 8 are welcome to attend. We have singing and devotions, crafts, outdoor recreation and hands-on fun.
Cedars Healthcare Center Ministry
Throughout the year, we hold parties for residents at The Cedars Healthcare community. During the holiday season, we adopt some of the residents into our Angel Tree Ministry to bring them extra joy. Additionally, we ensure they have access to snacks, craft supplies, and reading materials whenever needed.
Crop Hunger Walk
With humble beginnings back to 1969, these are now community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by religious groups, businesses, schools, and others to raise funds to end hunger in the United States and around the world. Ivy Creekers walk to help neighbors near and far get the meals they need today and sustainable food security for tomorrow. Twenty-five percent of funds raised are returned to the host community to support their local efforts.
Hunger Ministry
We have a themed monthly food drive where we collect food items for Loaves and Fishes and Feeding Greene. Everyone is encouraged to bring a food item each week.
IMPACT
A grassroots movement with a mission to bring a greater degree of justice and fairness to the Charlottesville and Albemarle area. Currently, IMPACT has 27 member congregations (including Ivy Creek UMC) that join together to work on the root causes of community problems. They represent over 15,000 people across greater Charlottesville. IMPACT addresses and achieves solutions to community problems by listening to the voices in our congregations, strengthening relationships within and between congregations, conducting research, and taking direct action. Through coming together, we build our power to effect systemic change in our community and our ability to successfully live out God’s call to do justice. Members of Ivy Creek UMC attend the fall and spring meeting and bring others with them to participate in bringing justice and fairness. This is the way we show our strength in numbers.
Kits For Conference
The United Methodist Church's relief organization known as United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has a ready supply of "kits" (hygiene, feminine hygiene, and flood buckets). These kits offer immediate and tangible support to those impacted by disasters and crises across the United States.are ready to be sent quickly . Each year Ivy Creek participates in this effort, which is coordinated by Sarah’s Circle – watch for notice in the monthly newsletter.
PACEM
PACEM shelters are the safety net during cold weather. They operate from sundown to sunup, 5:30pm to 7:00am, during the months of November through April. Guests are provided a welcoming, safe space that includes a hot dinner, clean restrooms, access to case management, and a warm cot to sleep on. Ivy Creek is one of the many faith organizations that opens their church building to house vulnerable people and provide a warm shelter and nourishing meals for 2 weeks each winter. We partner with other groups and churches to make it happen.
Rise Against Hunger:
Rise Against Hunger is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies. Once or twice a year Ivy Creek UMC opens the Fellowship Hall for the pre-packaging of thousands of meals by church and community volunteers, which are later distributed to people in developing nations around the world. Monetary donations are always welcome year-round.
The Wesley Foundation:
The Wesley Foundation is the United Methodist student fellowship at the University of Virginia. One of the features is a Tuesday meal. Ivy Creek is one of the churches that provides meals for this ministry during the school's terms.
Women's Ministry
Sarah's Circle is a women's ministry whose mission is to support one another, our church, and the local and world community. They meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month with a break in July and August. Sarah's Circle provides home-bound individuals with gift bags at Christmas, oversees the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Card Ministry and coordinates the collection of UMCOR kits. They also support PACEM and the Wesley Foundation with meals. During the holidays, Sarah's Circle supports local charities with monetary donations.