Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:36-39)
Read our Mission Vision & Values Statement
The People of First United Methodist Church of Brandon are actively seeking to live out Jesus' commandment – believing we are called by Him to make a positive impact on those in need – within our own community of faith, to Brandon and greater Central Florida, and around the world.
Look for opportunities to serve as a Family, Small Group or Sunday School Class!
LOCAL MISSIONS EMPHASIS
Brandon Boys & Girls Club. The Brandon B&G is located on our property, providing after-school and summer care for children with working parents who cannot be home after school. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring and homework tutoring, help with tangible resources.For more information, please contact: Vicki Harrison at 689-4161 or http://www.bgctampafl.org
Brandon Care Pregnancy Center The Brandon CPC is located on our property, ministering to girls and women in the midst of an unexpected pregnancy. The CPC staff and trained volunteers provide free pregnancy testing, counseling, referrals for government services, support groups and training for teens to help reduce the number of unexpected pregnancies. In addition, trained lay speakers go to area schools to give presentations on abstinence. For more information, call the Center at 654-0491 or http://www.brandoncpc.com
Cynthia Pinckney Ministries. Cynthia has a strong local mission geared to helping feed and care for homeless men, women and children in our community. She holds regular outreach events and partners with us at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Donations of clothing, workboots and toiletries are always appreciated. For more information, contact Cynthia Pinckney 813-571-1556 cp@cynthiapinckneyministries.org or http://www.cynthiapinckneyministries.org
Emergency Care Help Organization & Brandon Outreach Clinic. E.C.H.O. provides food and clothing assistance to approximately 7,000 individuals and families in crisis situations each year. E.C.H.O. is always in need of spaghetti sauce, dried beans, peanut butter, flour, etc. And diapers (sizes 4 and 5). The Outreach Clinic provides free medical care to children & adults who cannot afford medical insurance. All the doctors and nurses volunteer their time. For more information, please contact: Dave Cameron at 689-4161 or groups@fumcbrandon.org
L.I.S.T.Volunteers provide no-cost or low-cost minor home and auto repairs to those who are on a limited income. The Limited Income Service Team (L.I.S.T.) also provides referrals to outside organizations that can assist with more involved or special needs that are beyond the capabilities of the volunteers. Call the Church Office at 689-4161 for more information.
Meals on Wheels.Provides up to 80 meals each Friday to the homebound in our area. Volunteers prepare and deliver meals. Call Elaine Christopher at 689-3275 regarding cooking meals. Call Earlene Combs at 689-2615 regarding meal delivery.
REGIONAL MISSIONS EMPHASIS
Lighthouse Ministries. Residential discipleship program for young men who have life-controlling addictions.For more information please contact: Rosemary Blevins at 689-8463
Metropolitan Ministries. Provides food, shelter, clothing and care to homeless families and individuals in the Bay area. For more information please contact: LaDawn Milton 684-1224 or Tom Wilson 681-7455
United Methodist Children's Home.An orphanage caring for abused, abandoned, neglected or dependent children. Supported through special fifth-Sunday offerings throughout the year and our annual Christmas Tree Lot. For more information please contact: Sharon and Joe Keubler at 689-4161
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS EMPHASIS
Dominican Republic I am so excited to be able to share with you a new Dominican Republic Outreach program that First United Methodist Church of Brandon has become involved with! Our church has been a long-time sponsor of Connie DiLeo, a Methodist missionary in the Domincan Republic. With Connie's help, we will be working through C.O.P.A. (Community Partners Association), to help with two villages in the southwestern corner of the D.R. These two villages, Bobita and LaHoya, are on the Haitian border and our first summer mission work trip is scheduled for July 14-22, 2008. We will be staying at the school there and helping with whatever work is needed - in addition to praise & worship and playing with the children in the villages. By January, I should know exactly what our work orders are and what kind of camp we will be having for the children. Because of the severe poverty in these villages, they are extremely excited about our coming to help them. A deposit of $100 will hold your spot on the mission team. The cost of the trip is not confirmed yet, but we hope to keep it at about $850 - which will include airfare, room and board, bus rental, and bottled water. Teenagers, who have completed at least the 9th grade, will need a parent to accompany them. This is an amazing opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and do hands-on missionary work.
If you would like more information about C.O.P.A. or http://www.copa.org.uk or call me with further questions. Frankie Cross Dominican Republic Missions Outreach Coordinator
SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Christmas in July Focus on summertime needs for CPC, ECHO, Metropolitan Ministries and other Church-sponsored missions. For more information please contact: Dave Cameron at 689-4161 or groups@fumcbrandon.org
Giving Tree Providing cool-weather clothing and needed items for children in the Brandon Boys & Girls Club after-school program. For more information please contact: Hope Schneider at 643-1956.
Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse Shoebox ministry to reach needy children around the world in desperate situations. For more information please contact: Roger & Anne Bell at 689-3094
Thanksgiving Food Baskets Ministry to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for families in need that would not be able to afford a traditional meal. For more information please contact: Dave Cameron at 689-4161 or groups@fumcbrandon.org
Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless Held in conjunction with other area United Methodist churches and Cynthia Pinckney Ministries on Thanksgiving day from noon-3:30pm. Providing a hot meal and fellowship, along with blood pressure screenings, haircuts, clothing, etc. Volunteer opportunities exist for set up, serving the meal, and clean up. Donations of food & clothing appreciated! For more information, contact the church office, or Cynthia Pinckney at 813-571-1556 or cp@cynthiapinckneyministries.org or http://www.cynthiapinckneyministries.org
Angel Tree. Providing gifts for children and families in need at Christmas; in conjunction with holiday food baskets. On December 2nd, look for paper angels on a tree in the narthex. On each Angel will be gift wishes from local children and parents. Bring all gifts to the Church office by Monday, December 16th. For more information, please contact: Sally Logan at 571-1505.
Christmas Food Baskets Ministry to provide a Christmas dinner for families in need that would not be able to afford a traditional meal. For more information please contact: Dave Cameron at 689-4161 or groups@fumcbrandon.org
Christmas Dinner for the HomelessHeld in conjunction with other area United Methodist churches and Cynthia Pinckney Ministries on Christmas day. Providing a hot meal and fellowship, along with blood pressure screenings, haircuts, clothing, etc. Volunteer opportunities exist for set up, serving the meal, and clean up. Donations of food & clothing appreciated! For more information, contact the church office, or Cynthia Pinckney at 813-571-1556 or cp@cynthiapinckneyministries.org
Salvation Army Red Kettle Ringers Each year, we volunteer to ring the bell! Our station is outside the Brandon Publix on SR 60. For more information please contact: Roger & Anne Bell at 689-3094
Mission Team Leadership Council: Pastor Matt Wallis, Anne Bell, Vicki Harrison