Community & World Service
The Community and World Services Department focuses on missions or outreach to the local and global community by providing volunteer and financial support to organizations the congregation values.
ECUMENICAL STOREHOUSE
The Community & Worship Service Church Board representatives recruit and work alongside church members to manage the Ecumenical Storehouse typically two months per year. The Storehouse accepts, stores, and distributes household goods to clients in need. Volunteers assist clients in household goods selection and pickup donations throughout the community. While it is hard work, it is a wonderful time of fellowship and fun. Come volunteer and get to know your fellow church members in a different setting.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The C&WS department also works with the Roane State Community College Foundation to provide academic scholarships for students. In 2019, the United Church provided funds for one scholarship in nursing and three scholarships for Middle College students. The Middle College program offers the opportunity for high school students to simultaneously complete a high school and college associate degree.
ADFAC
United Church members assist Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties with their school supplies drive and backpack program providing over 4000 children in the counties served by ADFAC with important supplies for their educational journey.
OTHER OUTREACH AND MISSION PROJECTS
Additionally, the Community & World Service Department coordinates donations to United Church Women, the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, Grace Lutheran Food Bank, Trinity Out-Reach Center for Hope (TORCH), CARE, Doctors without Borders, Oak Ridge High School Graduation Celebration, the United Church Nursery School, and others.
The United Church Women have their own outreach and mission projects that impact our local community and wider world. The Sew for Hope Group makes hats, pillows and drainage bags for cancer and heart patients. The Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets shawls which are given to members and their family members who are going through difficult times or suffer the loss of a loved one. And when international circumstances permit, our congregation generously supports those members who go on medical, vision, and construction mission trips to Central America.