There is something beautiful about watching small acts of generosity become something much bigger.

A bag of food becomes a weekend of meals for a child. A gift bag becomes a classroom full of excited children. A plate of treats reminds a teacher that someone sees and appreciates the work they do. A Saturday spent playing games and sharing a meal becomes another opportunity to build a friendship.

That is what happens when a church chooses to REACH.

This month, there is so much to celebrate - and so many opportunities ahead to continue sharing God's love around the corner and around the world.

The 2026-2027 school year has begun, and the need for the David Cox Elementary BackPack Ministry is greater than ever.

Already, 65 students have been identified as needing weekend food assistance. In past years, the program has typically started with fewer students and grown to around 65 as the school year continues. This year, that need is here from the very beginning, and we anticipate that the need will continue to grow.

Our UCUMC community has responded!

During the September 6 and September 13 collections, church members brought food to help fill weekend backpacks for David Cox students.

The filled bags are already making their way into backpacks and home with students.

One way to think about this ministry is to imagine sponsoring a child's backpack for a weekend. A gift of just $5 provides the food for one child's weekend backpack. Recurring gifts can help provide that support week after week throughout the school year. Click the button below to set up a recurring gift, and know that even a little gift helps! Just choose BackPack Ministry in the drop down.

Whether through food donations or financial support, every contribution helps make sure a child has food to take home for the weekend.

Sometimes a little gift can make a big difference.

Last month, the Missions Moment asked for 25 people, families, or groups to help fill the Treasure Boxes at David Cox Elementary. The response was far beyond what was expected - nearly 75 people stepped up and brought treasures to fill those gift bags!

Because so many people said yes, more than 50 classrooms and offices at David Cox began the school year with Treasure Boxes filled to the brim.

A rolling cart piled high with gift bags made its way through the school, delivering treasures to classrooms and offices. Teachers and staff were excited to receive them, and the students were already looking forward to earning their treasures.

It was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when a lot of people each give a little. Together, the UCUMC community found a simple way to bring the love of Jesus beyond the walls of the church and into the classrooms, offices, and lives of the children and teachers at David Cox.

This is what happens when we hear the call and say YES!

A little sweetness goes a long way!

The Covenant Keepers Sunday School Class recently prepared Teacher Treats for the teachers at Ignite Achievement Academy and the staff of the UCUMC Weekday School.

These monthly treats are a simple way to say, “Thank you for all that you do.”

There are still opportunities to sponsor Teacher Treats from December through May. Individuals, families, Sunday School classes, or small groups can help make someone's workday a little sweeter.

The UCUMC Nourish Up team is partnering with local Girl Scouts to collect food for neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

Food collections are taking place on Sunday, October 4.

And there's another way to help!

The Nourish Up ministry is looking for one or two people who can serve one Wednesday each month. It's a wonderful opportunity to spend a few hours serving alongside others and helping provide food for people in the community.

Could one Wednesday a month be your way to REACH?

On Saturday, October 10, Tori and Kristi will head back to Oceana, West Virginia, to spend time with friends at HarborLight Church and in the surrounding community.

The day will include a community meal followed by an afternoon of fun with crafts, games, and time together. On Sunday morning, breakfast will be served before joining the HarborLight congregation for worship.

These visits are about more than a project. They are about showing up, sharing a meal, laughing together, building relationships, and reminding friends in Oceana that they are loved and remembered.

Please keep the Oceana community, HarborLight Church, and Tori and Kristi in prayer as they prepare for this special weekend.

Mark your calendar for Friday, November 13!

UCUMC will gather to pack food boxes for families in West Virginia.

Volunteer sign-up will open in October, but this is one date worth putting on the calendar now. It will be a hands-on time of packing, serving, laughing, and working together - and a whole lot of food boxes will make their way from Charlotte to West Virginia.

Mark your calendar for May 1 for the Making Waves Block Party.

More details will be coming as plans take shape, but it's never too early to save the date!

Maybe there's time to volunteer. Maybe there's a bag of food to bring, a box to pack, a teacher to encourage, or a community to pray for.

Maybe there's a desire to make a regular financial gift to support REACH Missions.

However someone chooses to participate, there's always a way to REACH.

Every gift of time, talent, prayer, and generosity helps UCUMC share God's love around the corner and around the world.