Mission and Outreach
Help Plan St. Paul's Missions Future
Mission and Outreach are an integral part of our ministry at St. Paul’s and occur in a wide variety of forms and locales. The Church Council has formed a Mission Task Force to review our mission activities, to survey the congregation as to what we are doing well and ways that we can improve or enhance our mission work, and to report to the Council on its findings and recommendations for enhancing our mission and outreach ministry. See how you can have your say.
Local Missions
- Emergency Aid Coaltion. The Emergency Aid Coaltion (EAC) is a non-profit coalition of 15 congregations that serves the homeless and low-income population of this corner of Houston.
- Mitzvah Day. This day of mission projects conducted by all ages returned to St. Paul's in 2009 by popular demand after a similar day of mission projects during the build-up to St. Paul's 2006 Centennial Celebration. The day was named in honor of the church’s neighbor, Congregation Emanu El, which conducts similar days of multiple “good deed” projects.
- MacGregor Mentors. Volunteers spend one hour a week with a child at nearby MacGregor Elementary School, helping with school work, being a friend, simply being a positive role model.
- Outreach Workdays. These projects provide a variety of ways to be in mission for brief periods, usually on Saturdays. Often for all generations.
- Rutabaga Territory. Rutabaga Territory an after school program conducted at St. Paul's that serves 24 students from nearby MacGregor and Poe elementary schools.
- SEARCH Homeless Services. St. Paul's was among the founders when SEARCH was established in 1989 by an interfaith Council of Congregations that believed homeless people needed more than a bed and a meal; they needed a future.
For more information about any of these opportunities to serve, contact Rev. Emily Chapman.
Global Missions
For more information about any of these opportunities to serve globally, contact Rev. Emily Chapman.
The United Methodist Connection
The General Board of Global Ministries is the global mission agency of The United Methodist Church, its annual conferences, missionary conferences, and local congregations. The work of mission in virtually any context involves relationships-- interactions in the name of Jesus Christ between and among persons and organizations.
Many ministries and missions are conducted and funded through the GBGM, including United Methodist Women (UMW) and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
The Advance is one of several funding methods through the GBGM. The Advance is an accountable, designated-giving arm of the UMC that ensures that 100 percent of each gift reaches its intended mission or ministry. The donor decides which program or ministry to support through The Advance. Plus, when giving through the Advance, the donor can indicate that s/he is from St. Paul's, thereby enabling credit and tracking of all gifts from St. Paul's. There is no overhead vor UMCOR/The Advance, so everything given goes directly to the selected program.
10-Fold is about multiplying ministry and mobilizing passionate people to stand up and be counted for the causes they believe in. The event will launch on October 10, 2010, and last for 10 days. Every day will focus on a different project supported through The Advance.. The goal is to gain the support of 10,000 people for each of the 10 projects. Individuals may sign up to participate in any of these projects through the 10-Fold website.