Outreach and Missions

Williamsville United Methodist is deeply committed to providing opportunities for involvement in and support of outreach and missions within the congregation, our local community, and beyond. Our church is firmly committed to the United Methodist connectional system that ensures humanitarian efforts are ready and in place when crises arise anywhere in the world.

On the Outreach and Missions pages, you will find information about the local and global service and ministry opportunities at Williamsville United Methodist Church. For example, on the Local Outreach page, you will learn about our involvement in projects such as:      

On the Global Missions page, you will learn about how Williamsville United Methodist Church helps support mission and outreach projects around the world. Our church is committed to the United Methodist Shared Ministries and connectional giving programs that make a difference in people's lives throughout the world.

The Support Groups page and Other Local Groups page includes information about outside groups that meet at WUMC on a regular basis. For example, our church has sponsored Scout Troop 85 for 64 years and we provide a space for a free senior excercise class twice a week.

March 2013 Happenings at Habitat for Humanity

In March, the Habitat for Humanity crew worked on a house on North Parade Road, which is right off Martin Luther King Park. In fact, the park was right across the street from the house! You can imagine that back in the day only a very fancy house would have had such a nice location. And, indeed, we found that it had a very fancy domed ceiling with detailed ornamentation, as you can see in the photo. The center had a flower design with yellow rope to each corner, then a black wave formation around the edges.

One of the fun things about Habitat is that as we rehabilitate old houses, you sometimes find details of wonderful craftsmanship not common in houses today. We've found old newspapers dating back to the 1910's and 1920's, old tools, and many personal items left behind by residents from long ago. It really gives you a sense of history and a feel for the many people who lived in the homes over the years.

This month our task was to frame in the ceiling. Unfortunately, the beautiful domed ceiling will be covered by drywall. The time and expense to restore it would drive the cost of the house too high for the new resident. On the other hand, the building is getting a new family who will live there and appreciate having a home of their own for many years.

Every month at Habitat brings something different in the way of new jobs, new houses, and being surprised by what we find in each building. You're invited to join us . . . no special skills or tools required! We work on the third Saturday of each month. If you'd like to know more, please contact Ed Howard.

Click the "Habitat for Humanity" icon at the beginning of this article to read more about WUMC's work with Habitat.

Emergency Food and Personal Care Cupboard

Every month our Emergency Food Cupboard provides food to those trying to stretch disability or unemployment checks to the end of the month. In addition, the shelves of WUMC's food pantry need to be replished each fall since our church is responsible to provide extra assistance to families and individuals who are experiencing hard times in the Williamsville community during August and September every year.

We also provide personal care products that are not covered by food stamps. To meet these needs, we are always in need of items such as toothpaste, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shampoo and conditioner, toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels.

The food portion of the Emergency Cupboard can always use donations of canned and microwavable soups, canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter, rice and pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned vegetables and fruit, stuffing mix, instant potatoes, and canned entrees such as stew, chili and canned ravioli. Please remember to pick up a few of these items when you are shopping, then place them in the wicker basket labeled "Food Collection" that is located in the narthex.