We invite you to join us in praying with and for one another as a community of faith. Each prayer request represents someone in our church family who could use encouragement, support, and the power of prayer.  We are a community, and each of us has something to offer. Whether you are able to pray for a few moments or spend more time in prayer, we encourage you to pray as you feel led and as your time allows.
Our staff also faithfully prays over the entire prayer list each Tuesday morning, lifting each person and request before God.

Thank you for being part of a church family that cares, supports, and prays for one another. Together, let us continue to lift one another up in prayer.

Most of us know what it feels like to want to believe and still struggle.
We pray, but wonder if anyone is listening. We read promises that sound beautiful, but life doesn't always look like those promises are true. We show up to church, sing the songs, and say the right things, while quietly carrying questions we aren't sure we're allowed to ask.
If that's you, you're not alone.
In fact, one of Jesus' closest friends felt the same way.
After the resurrection, the other disciples told Thomas something almost impossible to believe: "We've seen the Lord."
Thomas wasn't trying to be difficult. He wasn't trying to rebel. He was hurting. Confused. Disoriented. The world as he knew it had fallen apart, and he wasn't ready to stake his life on someone else's experience.
So he said what many of us would have said:
"Unless I see it for myself, I can't believe it."
For centuries we've called him "Doubting Thomas." But that's not quite fair.
When we look closely at the story, Thomas wasn't asking for more than the other disciples had already received. They had seen Jesus with their own eyes. They had seen His wounds. They had heard His voice. Thomas simply wanted the same opportunity they were given.
He's not the villain of the story.
He's us.
He's every person who has sat beside a hospital bed and wondered where God is.
Every person who has buried someone they love.
Every person whose prayers seemed unanswered.
Every person who wants faith to come easier than it does.
Thomas reminds us that struggling to believe doesn't make us failures. It makes us human.
And the most beautiful part of the story isn't Thomas's unbelief.
It's Jesus' response.
A week later, Jesus comes back.
Think about that for a moment.
Jesus could have ignored Thomas. He could have corrected him. He could have said, "You should know better by now."
Instead, He walks directly toward him.
"Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Reach out and touch my side."
Jesus doesn't shame Thomas for needing help. He meets him in the middle of his struggle.
That matters because many of us assume God only moves toward people with strong faith.
But the Gospel tells a different story.
Again and again, Jesus moves toward confused people. Fearful people. Broken people. People hanging on by a thread. The people who received grace weren't the people who had everything figured out. They were the people who knew they needed Him.
And when Thomas sees Jesus, everything changes. He doesn't deliver a carefully reasoned theological statement.
He simply says:
"My Lord and my God."
In a single moment, uncertainty gives way to surrender. Faith becomes sight. Not because Thomas suddenly became smarter or stronger, but because Jesus revealed Himself.
That's often how faith works.
We tend to think faith means forcing ourselves to believe harder. But faith is less about our ability to hold onto God and more about God's willingness to reveal Himself to us.
The truth is that every believer knows what it feels like to live between faith and sight.
We trust, but sometimes we're afraid.
We hope, but sometimes we're disappointed.
We believe, but sometimes we struggle.
That's why one of the most relatable prayers in Scripture comes from a desperate father who cries out to Jesus:
"Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief."
What an honest prayer.
No pretending.
No spiritual performance.
Just honesty.
"I believe as much as I can. I want to trust You. But there are still places in my heart that need Your help."
And Jesus responds to that prayer.
Not with condemnation.
Not with rejection.
But with compassion.
The same Jesus who met Thomas still meets people today.
He still meets the exhausted.
The grieving.
The skeptical.
The disappointed.
The person who feels abandoned.
The person who keeps trying and keeps failing.
The person wondering if faith is worth holding onto.
He comes to us where we are, not where we think we should be.
So what does it mean for faith to become sight?
It doesn't mean all our questions disappear. It doesn't mean life suddenly becomes easy.
It doesn't mean every prayer gets the answer we hoped for.
It means we begin to trust that God is present even when we can't see Him clearly. It means we stop interpreting every circumstance as evidence that God has abandoned us. It means we learn to see beyond what is immediate and temporary and start viewing our lives through the lens of God's faithfulness. And when that happens, our priorities change.
Generosity makes more sense than greed.
People become more important than possessions.
Faithfulness becomes more important than success.
Love becomes more important than being right.
We begin to live as though the Kingdom of God is real because we truly believe it is.
At the end of Thomas's story, Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who will believe without seeing.
That's us.
We weren't in the room.
We haven't touched the scars.
We haven't seen the empty tomb.
But we've received the testimony of those who did.
And every day we are invited into the same choice:
Will we trust Him?
Not because we have every answer. Not because our faith is perfect. But because He has proven Himself faithful. Faith becoming sight is not the end of questions. It's the moment trust becomes stronger than fear. It's the moment hope becomes more convincing than despair. It's the moment we discover that Jesus has been walking toward us all along.
And when we finally see Him for who He is, our response becomes the same as Thomas':
"My Lord and my God."

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!

Welcome to this week's calendar - the one place for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days.

Video Announcements

Musical Call to Worship: Blessed Assurance (Arr. S. Tucker)
Exaltation Ringers

Welcome: Kristi Miller,
Missions Team Chair, West Virginia Team Leader, Communion Coordinator

Prayer for Worship: Kristi Miller

Hymn: UMH # 452 My Faith Looks Up to Thee (vs. 1-3)
Matt Guild, Alisha, Choir, Praise Team, Congregation

The Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical) UMH # 882
Kristi Miller, Congregation

Message in Music: Brother James’ Air (Arr. Pethel) Celebration Choir

Missions Moment: Kristi Miller

Passing the Peace: Kristi Miller and Praise Band

Song: This I Believe (Crocker, Fielding)
Praise Team, Congregation

Call to Offering: Kristi Miller

Prayer of Dedication and The Lord’s Prayer: Kristi Miller and Congregation

Offertory: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (Arr. Eithun)
Exaltation Ringers

Series Video: Moments and Significance

Scripture: John 20:21-34 (NRSV) Kristi Miller

Message: The Moment and Faith 
Pastor Donnell FitzJefferies

Altar Call: Pastor Donnell

Song: Goodness of God (Johnson, Cash, Ingram, Fielding)
Praise Team, Congregation
 
Sending Forth: Pastor Donnell

Sending Forth Music: Praise Band

The Church's mailing address has changed:
University City UMC
PO Box 480021
Charlotte, NC 28269

Join us for an afternoon of treats, community, and maybe a few tricks!  You are invited to walk through our indoor Trunk of Treats on Sunday, October 25th, from 2:00-4:00.  This is a great opportunity to bring your friends, neighbors, and family to church!  Costumes are not required but we love to see your creativity!  

Please note that UCUMC has a new mailing address:
University City UMC
PO Box 480021
Charlotte, NC 28269

Budget Gifts Received (10/11/26) - $14,027
MTD Budget Goal - $27,500
MTD Receipts - $29,495
YTD Budget Goals - $621,500
YTD Budget Receipts - $597,426
 Reach - $21,518  (Reach new year 11/1/25)

Restore, Renew, Rekindle
Amount Pledged - $422,799
Amount Given - $313,799
Amount Spent - $225,043

Hey church family (especially our members age 70½ and older)!

Did you know you can support our church’s ministries directly from your Traditional IRA—completely tax-free? If you are 73 or older, the IRS requires you to take withdrawals (RMDs) from your retirement accounts, which usually means a bigger tax bill. But if you have your financial custodian send your tithe directly to the church instead, the IRS doesn't tax a single penny of it! It satisfies your IRS requirement, keeps your taxes low, and fully funds our ministries. It’s a win-win.

Want to know how? Just ask your IRA custodian for a "Qualified Charitable Distribution" form, or reach out to our finanace office at finance@ucumc.org and we’ll help you get started!

We invite you to join us in praying with and for one another as a community of faith. Each prayer request represents someone in our church family who could use encouragement, support, and the power of prayer.  We are a community, and each of us has something to offer. Whether you are able to pray for a few moments or spend more time in prayer, we encourage you to pray as you feel led and as your time allows.
Our staff also faithfully prays over the entire prayer list each Tuesday morning, lifting each person and request before God.

Thank you for being part of a church family that cares, supports, and prays for one another. Together, let us continue to lift one another up in prayer.

It is that time of year again! Our annual Bingo Bake Sale is coming up November 22nd, 5-7:30pm. All money raised goes to support the Christmas Store where families in our community can shop for the holidays.

Cost will be $10 per person and that includes your dinner as well as your Bingo card. We will be auctioning off delicious baked goods between games of Bingo and there will be a cookie walk where for $20 you can fill a box with as many cookies as will fit!

We would love to have you come out to the Bingo Bake Sale but we also need auction items made as well as cookies for the Cookie Walk! Scan the QR code to sign-up to bring something. 

Other ways you can help can also include donating prizes (gift cards, gift baskets, etc) for the Bingo winners. 

Hello Fusion Families! Keeping reading to stay up to date about all that is going on in our ministry. 

This week in Prayer Furnace is Question Sunday. There are QR in the youth room that students can use to submit questions anonymously or they can ask them during our time together.

This week is our Fall Fest at the Beasley's house from 5-7:30pm. We will be roasting hotdogs, making s'mores, playing some games, and there's the haunted trail at the end! Students can dress up and bring friends. If you need the address please let me know ASAP! 

Video Announcements

Musical Call to Worship: Doxology (Arr. Christopher)
Psalm 150 Instrumental Ensemble

Welcome: Tammy Ortiz, Exaltation Ringers, Worship Team

Prayer for Worship: Tammy Ortiz

Hymn: UMH # 529 How Firm a Foundation (vs. 1, 2, 4, 5)
Matt Guild, Psalm 150, Choir, Praise Team, Congregation

Affirmation From 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1:15; 3:16 
Tammy Ortiz, Congregation

Message in Music: Because He Lives (Arr. McDonald)
Celebration Choir, Psalm 150

Generational Ministries Moment: Janice Cloninger, Director of Generational Ministries

Passing the Peace: Janice Cloninger and Praise Band

Song: Friend of God (Houghton, Gungor)
Praise Team, Congregation

Call to Offering: Tammy Ortiz

Prayer of Dedication and The Lord’s Prayer: Tammy Ortiz

Offertory: The Lord is My Light (Arr. Hamby) Psalm 150

Series Video: Moments and Significance

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-3 (NRSV) Tammy Ortiz

Message: More Than a Dream 
Rev. Dr. Carl Arrington

Altar Call: Dr. Arrington

Song: Mighty to Save (Fielding, Morgan) Praise Team, Congregation

Sending Forth: Dr. Arrington

Sending Forth Music: Praise Band

The Church's mailing address has changed:
University City UMC
PO Box 480021
Charlotte, NC 28269

Welcome to this week's calendar - the one place for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days.

Prior to retiring in July 2021, Dr. Arrington served for six years as the District Superintendent of the Appalachian District of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. Previously, he served as the pastor of Berry Temple-Wilson Chapel United Methodist churches in Asheville North Carolina, Simpson-Gillespie United Methodist Church of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church in King, North Carolina. During the early 2000’s he served as the Minority Program Director for RAIN (the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network) in Charlotte.
From 2006-2012 he served as the Director of African American Ministries and Coordinator of Social Justice Ministries for the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. While in this position he designed programs to address the unique needs of African American congregations and the pastors of the Southeastern Jurisdiction and beyond as they sought to create vibrant and growing congregations. Building upon those experiences, he currently offers leadership coaching and training services for clergy and congregations.
Dr.  Arrington is an ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke Divinity School. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University Theological School of Madison, New Jersey.
Most importantly, he is the proud grandfather of the two most adorable grandchildren in the world.

Please note that UCUMC has a new mailing address:
University City UMC
PO Box 480021
Charlotte, NC 28269

Budget Gifts Received (10/4/26) - $15,468
MTD Budget Goal - $13,750
MTD Receipts - $15,468
YTD Budget Goals - $607,750
YTD Budget Receipts - $583,399
Reach - $20,788  (Reach new year 11/1/25)

Restore, Renew, Rekindle
Amount Pledged - $422,599
Amount Given - $313,599
Amount Spent - $225,043

As our church continues to grow and adapt to new opportunities, we want to keep our congregation informed, involved, and connected.
We invite everyone to join us for a Church Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, November 1 at 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Center.
This gathering is an opportunity to hear honest updates about the life of our church, including our current financial picture, progress on our Campus Transformation Project, and the impact of our expanding media presence. We will also share how these efforts are helping us strengthen worship, deepen community, and better connect with both members and visitors.
Just as important, this is a time for conversation. We welcome your questions, ideas, and feedback as we seek to move forward together in faith.
Whether you've been part of our church family for years or have joined us more recently, your voice matters. We hope you'll come a little early, enjoy some light refreshments, and be part of this important conversation about where God is leading us next.

We invite you to join us in praying with and for one another as a community of faith. Each prayer request represents someone in our church family who could use encouragement, support, and the power of prayer.  We are a community, and each of us has something to offer. Whether you are able to pray for a few moments or spend more time in prayer, we encourage you to pray as you feel led and as your time allows.
Our staff also faithfully prays over the entire prayer list each Tuesday morning, lifting each person and request before God.

Thank you for being part of a church family that cares, supports, and prays for one another. Together, let us continue to lift one another up in prayer.

Video Announcements

Musical Call to Worship: It IS Well With My Soul (Arr. Brickman)
Alisha Brown, Music Assistant/Accompanist, UCUMC

Welcome: Skyler Massengale, Fusion Youth Ministry

Prayer for Worship: Skyler Massengale

Hymn: UMH # 371 I Stand Amazed in the Presence (vs. 1, 4, 5)
Matt Guild, Alisha, Choir, Praise Team, Congregation

Family First Moment: Janice Cloninger, Director of Generational Ministries

Passing the Peace: Janice Cloninger and Praise Band

Song: How Good It Is (Tomlin, Cates, Mohilowski)
Praise Team, Congregation

Call to Offering: Skyler Massengale

Prayer of Dedication: Skyler Massengale

Offertory: Lord, I Stretch My Hands To You (Althouse)
Celebration Choir

Series Video: Moments and Significance

Scripture: John 19:1-6 (NRSV)
Skylar Massengale

Message: The Moment of Unceasing Hope
Pastor Donnell FitzJefferies, UCUMC

Confession, Assurance, Communion: Pastor Donnell

Communion Music: This Blood (Springer, Wooten)
Emily Elson, Praise Team

Song: Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone (Newton, Tomlin, Giglio)
Praise Team, Congregation

Sending Forth: Pastor Donnell

Sending Forth Music: Praise Band

The Church's mailing address has changed:
University City UMC
PO Box 480021
Charlotte, NC 28269

Welcome to this week's calendar - the one place for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days.

Please note that UCUMC has a new mailing address:
University City UMC
PO Box 480021
Charlotte, NC 28269

Budget Gifts Received (9/27/26) - $21,785
MTD Budget Goal - $55,000
MTD Receipts - $65,760
YTD Budget Goals - $594,000
YTD Budget Receipts - $567,931
 Reach - $20,674  (Reach new year 11/1/25)

Restore, Renew, Rekindle
Amount Pledged - $420,899
Amount Given - $311,899
Amount Spent - $225,043

Staff Birthdays and Anniversaries
October Birthdays  

• Sonya Tarrant – October 3rd
• Laura Jones – October 14th

Please join us in wishing Sonya and Laura a wonderful birthday and thank you for all you do for our nursery!
Anniversaries  

• Kayla Belk – October 30 – three years

Thank you Kayla for all you do for our youth, young adults, and small groups!

Hear Yea, Hear Yea – A Town Hall is Coming!
As our church continues to grow and adapt to new opportunities, we want to keep our congregation informed, involved, and connected. We invite everyone to join us for a Church Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, November 1 at 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Center.
This gathering is an opportunity to hear honest updates about the life of our church, including our current financial picture, progress on our Campus Transformation Project, and the impact of our expanding media presence. We will also share how these efforts are helping us strengthen worship, deepen community, and better connect with both members and visitors.
Just as important, this is a time for conversation. We welcome your questions, ideas, and feedback as we seek to move forward together in faith.
Whether you've been part of our church family for years or have joined us more recently, your voice matters. We hope you'll come a little early, enjoy some light refreshments, and be part of this important conversation about where God is leading us next.
 
Upcoming Board of Stewards Meetings/Minutes
All church members are invited to attend Open Session parts of meetings. Due to time constraints, only invited guests or those who have requested time to speak beforehand on a particular topic will be provided time to share with the board. Please contact the board at BoS@ucumc.org to request time on the agenda. All meetings are held via Zoom and the link is provided below.
For October, the Board of Stewards is meeting on the following days.
Regular scheduled Meeting – Thursday Oct 8th  6:30 pm – 8:30 pm zoom
Regular scheduled Meeting – Thursday Oct 22nd  6:30 pm – 8:30 pm zoom
Click below to attend the Open Session parts of Board of Stewards meeting.
 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84476033871

Join us  on October 22 at 11:30am for Common Ground Fellowship’s Second Annual Chili Cook-Off, agathering of delicious food, fellowship, and community! Come sample a variety of homemade chili recipes, cast your vote for your favorite, and enjoy a fun-filled gathering with friends old and new.
In addition to the cook-off competition, we are honored to welcome AJ Thomas from the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, who will share an informative presentation about the Foundation’s ministry and the ways it supports churches and individuals in faithful stewardship and legacy giving.
Whether you're entering your award-winning chili or simply coming to enjoy great food and fellowship, this is an event you won't want to miss. Bring your appetite, invite a friend, and join us for an evening of connection, learning, and friendly competition!

We invite you to join us in praying with and for one another as a community of faith. Each prayer request represents someone in our church family who could use encouragement, support, and the power of prayer.  We are a community, and each of us has something to offer. Whether you are able to pray for a few moments or spend more time in prayer, we encourage you to pray as you feel led and as your time allows.
Our staff also faithfully prays over the entire prayer list each Tuesday morning, lifting each person and request before God.

Thank you for being part of a church family that cares, supports, and prays for one another. Together, let us continue to lift one another up in prayer.

Happy Fall! I missed everyone last Sunday but had a great trip to the beach with my family. Keep reading to stay up to date!

This week during Fusion we'll be talking about the importance of telling our stories. We'll be reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians. Dinner will be lasagna, salad, and a dessert provided by Ms. Jyrl.

Youth Leadership Team Guidelines and Application are live! Click below to read about the serving opportunities and download the application.

We have a great opportunity to worship and spend time with other youth groups next year! Registration fills up FAST so I need to know who wants to go, and if any adults/parents are interested in chaperoning (you are needed!) by November 1st. I do not know a price yet but will get that ASAP.  Please, DO NOT let price keep you from attending if interested. We will make it happen!! Sign-up with Kayla by November 1st!

Click below to sign-up to provide dinner for the youth!

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.