There is something special about coming together to make a difference. Sometimes it looks like sharing a meal, playing games, and worshipping with friends in West Virginia. Sometimes it means packing groceries for families who need a little extra help. And sometimes it means opening the doors of our church to welcome our neighbors and celebrate together.

Because of UCUMC's commitment to missions, the Missions Team continues to support ministries making a difference in the lives of children, families, and neighbors near and far. And there are so many ways to be part of what God is doing!

Last weekend, Tori, Aly, and Kristi traveled to Oceana, West Virginia, to spend time with the HarborLight community and continue building relationships with the people there.

The visit included games, crafts, worship, and plenty of time together. The UCUMC team also prepared and served dinner for the congregation on Saturday evening and returned Sunday morning to serve a big, delicious breakfast!

These moments are about so much more than activities and meals. They're about showing up, getting to know one another, strengthening relationships, and sharing God's love through the simple gift of being together.

UCUMC's partnership with HarborLight has created opportunities to serve and connect with this community for many years. And the relationship continues to grow!

Our WV Food Box Packing Event is coming up Friday, November 13, and it's shaping up to be a wonderful evening of fellowship and service!

For many years, UCUMC has partnered with HarborLight in Oceana to support its ministry and the families it serves. This November, the church family will come together to pack 150 boxes of groceries filled with staples families can use to prepare meals at home.

And because serving together should be fun, the evening begins with a pizza party!

Here's the plan:

• 6:00 PM - Pizza Party: Gather in the Gathering Space, enjoy dinner, and spend time together.
• 6:30 PM - Pack the Boxes: Head to the gym and work together to pack 150 boxes of groceries.
• Around 7:30 PM - Load the Trucks: Get the boxes ready for delivery to HarborLight the following day.
• Around 8:00 PM - Pray and Wrap Up: Pray over the boxes and the families who will receive them, then help with cleanup.

With a good group working together, the packing should take about an hour. No special skills are needed - just a willingness to pitch in and share God's love!

There are several ways to participate:

• Pack: Join the pizza party and help pack food boxes on November 13.
• Deliver: Have a truck? Help transport the boxes to West Virgina on Saturday, November 14.
• Sponsor: Can't attend? Sponsor half a food box for $25 or a whole box for $50 through the event sign-up.
• Give: Make a direct donation through the church's giving page by selecting the WV Mission line from the dropdown menu.

Every helping hand and every gift helps make this ministry possible.

UCUMC's commitment to missions reaches well beyond individual events. Through the congregation's generosity and the work of the Missions Team, funding has been provided to support several important ministries, including:

• Gregg Michael with Back to Back Ministries, supporting a growing and expanding ministry that serves vulnerable children and families.
• Hope Street Food Pantry, helping provide food and care for neighbors in need.
• Nourish Up, supporting efforts to address hunger in our community.

The Missions Team is also helping fund some exciting upcoming events that will welcome the greater community onto UCUMC's campus to celebrate the holidays. These gatherings will create opportunities for neighbors to connect, experience the warmth of our church family, and share in the joy of the season.

This is what REACH is all about: extending God's love beyond the walls of the church and finding meaningful ways to serve, connect, and grow together.

More opportunities to serve and connect are on the horizon! Watch for new REACH dates and details about upcoming projects. There are many ways to get involved, whether you have a little time to give or want to make serving a regular part of your routine.

Nourish Up is in need of ONE volunteer to help one Wednesday afternoon from 3:00-6:00 pm each month. If you have time to share, consider signing up to serve!

Room in the Inn offers another meaningful way to care for neighbors experiencing homelessness. Volunteer sign-ups are coming in November! Hosting RITI is an important part of making this ministry possible and providing a welcoming, caring place for our guests.

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!

Every act of generosity matters. A box packed, a meal shared, a volunteer hour given, a financial gift offered, or a neighbor welcomed can become part of something much bigger.

Thank you, Church Family, for making these ministries possible through your generosity, your service, and your commitment to loving our neighbors. Together, UCUMC is continuing to REACH around the corner and REACH around the world.

There's a place for everyone in the work God is doing. Let's keep REACHing together!