SERVICE & OUTREACH

 

Caring for Kids

Every year during the month of July, DeSoto United Methodist Church and Murphysboro United Methodist Church support the schools and organizations that assist our community children with basic needs. The congregation collects and donates items such as school supplies, backpacks, new and gently used books, clothing and food items, and cash and gift cards. Please contact Angie Baughman at (618) 201-0139 or angie_baughman@hotmail.com for more information.

 

Disciple Builders

Disciple Builders is a group of volunteers that can complete small repairs or improvements around your home. If you are handy with a hammer or a paint brush, this is the team for you! If you have work to be done, please contact the Church Office for an application. Please contact Dan Bratton at (618) 559-5522 for more information.
 

Habitat for Humanity

Cross & Flame Ministries participates in the mission of Habitat for Humanity through special offerings and also by helping with local Habitat projects. Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that has helped to build or repair over 600,000 decent, affordable houses, serving more than 3 million people worldwide. Their vision is simple: a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Please contact Barb Hughes at (618) 687-2175 or jdbkhughes@frontier.com for more information.
 

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a service that delivers meals to shut-ins or those who are unable to get out on their own for nutritious meals. Teams from Murphysboro United Methodist Church deliver these meals in the community on the third week of each month. Each team consists of two people and a route takes an hour or less. Please contact Joan Bastien at (618) 684-6005 for more information.
 

Mission Trips for Adults

Adults travel to a variety of locations at least one time per year to work in areas of need. Destinations include areas for disaster relief, poverty needs, and faith-building ministries. Spending an intensive time on a mission trip can truly be a transformational experience, for those giving and for those receiving. Please contact Gene Schwebel at (618) 521-0879 or gene1955@mchsi.com for more information.
 

Murphysboro Food Pantry

Murphysboro Food Pantry is the largest USDA food pantry in Jackson County. The pantry is supported by Cross & Flame Ministries along with other churches, community organizations, and private donors. The pantry is open from 9:00 – 11:00 am Monday through Friday for food distribution. Many members of MUMC volunteer and sit on the pantry’s governing board. The opportunity to volunteer is always available. Please contact Kathy Blackwell at kathyb@siu.edu for more information.
 

Our Neighbor’s Table

On the last Sunday of each month, a free, hot, home-cooked meal of chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes, a vegetable and dessert is served to anyone who comes to the Murphysboro United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at noon. Those who come include people from the community in need of a meal for their family, as well as members of the Cross & Flame Ministries church family. The Our Neighbor’s Table team welcomes hosts and hostesses, servers, clean-up crew and cooks. No experience is required! Please contact Jennifer O’Donnell at (618) 534-3822 or Rindy Eisenhauer at (618) 967-1380 for more information.
 

Relay for Life

The Methodists on a Mission Relay for Life team is part of the Service and Missions Committee at Murphysboro United Methodist Church. The Relay for Life team raises funds during the year to benefit the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. The team is comprised of people of all ages from the church family who are committed to helping win the battle against cancer. Please contact Lela Sternberg at (618) 684-5557 for more information.
 

Spirit of Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas is an annual project of the Carbondale Interfaith Council. The project (similar to Angel Tree) brings together communities of faith in an effort to help the neediest in our own back yards. Each November, we receive names and wish lists of the participating individuals. Volunteers are needed to adopt individuals to bless and also to deliver gifts to the distribution center. Please contact Gaye Auxier at (618) 565-1238 for more information.
 

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat, which is held in the DeSoto and Murphysboro UMC parking lots on Halloween, provides a safe and fun environment for the community children to trick or treat. Volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and pass out donated candy. Donations of candy and trunks are always needed for the hundreds of children who come. Grilled hotdogs and fresh apples are also served. Please contact Lacey Brown at (618) 684-6969 or plaid76@hotmail.com for more information.
 

Yard Sale

This annual event, held at Murphysboro United Methodist Church, is always in need of donated items and persons to sort, stock and price the items as they come in. The sale runs on a Friday evening and Saturday morning until noon. This event has become a way to help support the community. Volunteers are also needed to help customers at the sale. Please contact Lynn Pierson at (618) 684-3601 or lynnpierson@ymail.com for more information.