The people of the Early United Methodist Church support these ministries through gifts of their time, talent, and resources.
Change a Child's Story
An Initiative of former Iowa Bishop Julius C. Trimble and the Iowa United Methodist Churches
The Goal: By June 2017, Iowa United Methodist Churches will
- Give one million books to children in Poverty
- Read one million hours to children in poverty
Click here for more information
Christmas Hat, Mitten, and Toy Drive
Each holiday season, the Early UMC partners with the Schaller-Crestland/Ridge View Schools to provide hats and mittens to those in need. The school also provides information on Christmas gift requests from children with our church family fulfilling those requests, providing wrapped gifts for a Merry Christmas.
Comfort Casseroles
Whether a family is celebrating, struggling, joyful, or mourning, the Early UMC provides care in the form a casserole. Volunteers join together to assemble the casseroles which are then frozen to be delivered for an easy, comforting meal served with love.
Early Food Pantry
Providing for those in need, the Early UMC contributes regularly to stock the shelves of the local Food Pantry, housed at Sacred Heart’s Parish Center in town. Contributions of food items, money, and time are all part of the ministry. Annually, our United Methodist Youth Fellowship conducts a food drive with Sacred Heart’s youth to fill the shelves ahead of the holiday season.
Ingathering
The Thanksgiving Ingathering is a way for Iowa United Methodists to address hunger problems locally and around the world. The first Thanksgiving Ingathering was held on November 1, 1980, on the campus of Westmar College in LeMars. People brought blankets, kits, corn, and even animals. Between 1983 and 1992 four more sites were added, bringing the total to five. The Early UMC has focused on assembling and providing school kits to the Cherokee Ingathering site. Mission agencies receiving financial support through the Ingathering include: Church World Service, UMCOR, INP, the INP artemesia seed program, Heifer International, Self-Help International, the P.E.T. (Personal Energy Transportation) project. Learn more here.
Joppa Outreach
While participating in Urban Plunge in Des Moines, our youth group was introduced to Joppa Outreach, an organization serving the homeless in our capitol city. Hearts were touched and an ongoing relationship with Joppa was established. When there is a fifth Sunday of the month, a group of volunteers from the Early UMC goes to Des Moines to serve the homeless by delivering meals, prayers, and other necessities to those in the camps. Often, our church donates supplies for the meals to be delivered. Learn more about Joppa here.
Park View Care Center
Once a year for a month, the ladies of our church volunteer to provide a Monday afternoon snack and fellowship to residents of Park View Care Center in neighboring Sac City. The residents appreciate the treats as well as the visit from friends from the Early UMC.
Prayer Chain
A vibrant prayer life is a cornerstone of Christian life. The Early UMC has both telephone and email prayer chains where joys and concerns are shared. Former Iowa Bishop Julius C Trimble often said, “No prayer, no power. Little prayer, little power. Much prayer, much power!” This ministry is activated by your request – please send your prayer needs to Pastor Nancy at nancyleighpete@gmail.com.
Prayer Shawl
Prayer shawls are the physical reminders of the power of prayer. Created by loving hands while being poured over in prayer for the recipient, the shawls represent the comfort of God’s care, the love of the Early UMC, and the power of prayer. Prayer shawls are blessed by the congregation before being given as symbols of Christian concern.
Schaller/Crestland Ministerial
The Early UMC participates in the Schaller/Crestland Ministerial Association through Pastor Nancy’s attendance as well as by supporting their missions and hosting their gatherings regularly. The Ministerial Association connects churches, clergy, and our school systems and provides opportunities for serving those in need in our communities.
Sunday School
The Early UMC offers Sunday school for ages preschool to middle school as well as adults. Joyful learning about God, Jesus, scriptures, and the United Methodist tradition are included. Each year, Sunday school students begin the year by making and serving waffles to the congregation. A Christmas program is held annually on the Sunday before Christmas. And a picnic caps off the year’s adventures. All are welcome!
UMYF
United Methodist Youth Fellowship involves youth from middle school through high school. Wednesday evening meetings include fun, fellowship, service, and snacks. Meetings are a highlight for the kids as are service projects like food pantry pick up as well as trips to concerts or other events. All are welcome!
Vacation Bible School
For a few evenings one week each summer, Early UMC hosts vacation Bible school for all children in the community. Lessons, music, crafts, and play are all combined for a wonderful experience bringing adults and children together to learn about Biblical characters and faith. All are welcome!