Missions at Windsor Hills UMC
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” - Hebrews 13:16
WHUMC is a mission-minded church.
The purpose of WHUMC Missions is to provide ministries of worship, spiritual growth, fellowship, and hands on service to our members, our community, and the world.
We do this locally by providing services to: food pantries, homeless shelters, clothes closets, social club for adults with disabilities, afterschool reading programs, and prison ministry.
On a national level, we provide support to: Appalachia Service Project, disasters response teams, and the Red Bird mission school.
Globally, our efforts include: Rise Against Hunger and Operation Christmas Child.
AfterCare Social Club
In November 1982 the WHUMC Administrative Board unanimously approved a plan for a Social Club (After Care) at our church. The Social Club is designed for adults with disabilities. Over 40 years have passed, and we are still going strong! Dedicated church volunteers keep the program going. We meet monthly in Windsor Hall with volunteers providing refreshments. At other times we go bowling, watch a baseball game, have a picnic, and more. The annual Christmas party is a highlight of the year for the club.
For information contact Ellen Witt: ewitt@hollins.edu
Operation Christmas Child
Windsor Hills participates in the Operation Christmas Child program each year.
Members collect items for shoeboxes during the summer and fall for the annual packing party. These shoeboxes are sent to children all around the world in over 100 nations.
Contact Linda Plichta for information: lhp060508@gmail.com
Rise Against Hunger
We participate in Rise Against Hunger, a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies. This movement works in countries worldwide to fight hunger, targeting communities facing high rates of food insecurity. Each year we have a Rise Against Hunger event, in which we pack over 10,000 meals for the hungry around the world.
Contact Linda Plichta at lhp060508@gmail.com
Yarns of Love
Members and friends of WHUMC knit and crochet prayer shawls, lap robes, and hats that are shared with groups such as Kids Soar, the Rescue Mission, and our own church family. These items are dedicated and distributed at least once per year. There are several patterns used that the group is glad to share.
Contact Carolyn Fisher at carolynhf1@cox.net
Churchwide Prayer Ministry
Many years ago, following a Lay Witness Mission weekend, several members of Windsor Hills began the process of developing a churchwide Prayer Ministry. One group meets weekly in the sanctuary. Another ministry provides emailed prayer requests when they are received and distributes a printed Prayer Concerns list each week. Many in the congregation have committed to pray private for every person in our church directory every year. Each person or family receives a card to let them know the week that the church will be offering prayers for them.
Contact: Carolyn Fisher at carolynhf1@cox.net
Prayer Team Ministry
Anyone who would like to join a prayer group, come and pray with us each Wednesday at 10 am in the sanctuary.
Contact: Jeanne Hoel at jeannehoel55@gmail.com
Mary Martha Circle
Mary Martha Circle is an active group of women who meet together monthly to work on mission projects and fellowship. Their main fundraiser for the year is an annual arts & crafts bazaar; proceeds from the bazaar go to support their mission projects. Some of the projects include providing meals for Kids Soar and the Ronald McDonald House.
Contact Barbara Jennings at bjennings1958@gmail.com
Through a variety of partnerships with other organizations, we send materials and people to share in the work that enhances many lives in the Roanoke Valley and beyond. Below is a sampling of a number of our partner organizations:
Virginia Heights Elementary School — an evolving and growing partnership
Oak Grove Elementary School — classroom reading partnership
Operation Christmas Child — sharing of God’s love through shoebox full of gifts
Roanoke Area Ministries — a team serving monthly for decades
Restin House — a home for disabled veterans
Rosalind Hills Food Pantry — helping feed our neighbors who are food insecure
Appalachian Service Project — an occasional week or weekend project to assist those who need home repair in Appalachia
Military Family Support Center — to help those families with service members who may be away and veterans in our area