Our 2010 Outreach chairperson is Stuart Thackston.  To learn more about any of the following ministries, contact Stuart at sthackston@triad.rr.com.

Local Missions

Missions Trailer - Leaksville UMC recently purchased and equipped a missions trailer filled with tools and supplies for disaster relief locally and regionally.  This winter, team members have cut and delivered firewood for a local family who heats exclusively with wood.  If you would like to be a part of our Missions Trailer ministry, contact Judy Knight at wknight1@triad.rr.com.

Room in the Inn - During the winter of 2009/10, Leaksville UMC is providing supper each Tuesday and breakfast each Wednesday for approximately twelve to twenty neighbors in need through Rockingham County Help for the Homeless.  Two church members also spend the night as hosts.  To learn more about Leaksville UMC's involvement with Room in the Inn, contact Bitsy or Bob Futrell at bfutrell@triad.rr.com.

Hand in Hand at Leaksville-Spray Elementary - Each year, we provide mentors, tutors, and lunch buddies to students.  We also support the teachers and staff through our teacher breakfasts and refreshments on other work days.

Back Pack Pals Ministry.  This local missions initiative for 2009/10 involves filling backpacks with food each week that students can take home to have nourishment over the weekend.  We have a donation bin in front of the church office to collect food items.  Three Leaksville UMC Girl Scouts have taken the lead in promoting and coordinating this ministry.  For more information, contact Angela Shumate at wshumate1@triad.rr.com.

Suggested donations include:

Vegetables: Beans, Corn, Green Beans, Potatoes, Carrots, Tomatoes

Meats/Protein: Canned Tuna, Spam Turkey, Peanut Butter, Canned Chicken, Canned Sausage, Beef Stew, Spam, Trail Mix,

Grains/Carbs: Noodles, Mac and Cheese, Pasta, Pasta Dinners, Rice, Granola Bars,

Fruits: Fruit Cocktail, Apple Sauce, Canned Fruit, Dried Fruit, Raisins, Fresh Fruit,

Drinks: Boxed Juice, Sunny D, Capri Sun,

Misc: Cereal, Spaghetti Sauce, Saltine Crackers, Graham Crackers, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Ravioli, Soups, Jelly, Pudding Cups, Pretzels, Goldfish, Vanilla Wafers.

Salvation Army - Eden churches like Leaksville UMC depend upon The Salvation Army to screen and coordinate community requests for assistance with utility bills and fuel.  We have a group of volunteers who provide lunch at the local Salvation Army each month.  We also collect food throughout the year to help stock their food pantry and collect special offerings to offer financial support.  During the Christmas Season, we house one of the "Angel Trees" to help provide Christmas gifts to needy children in our community.  We also actively participate in raising funds for the Salvation Army by serving as Bell Ringers during their Christmas Campaign.  In 2009 our bell ringers raised over $500.  To learn more about Leaksville UMC's support of the Salvation Army, contact our liaison, Jerry Myott, at jcmyott@embarqmail.com.

Cooperative Christian Ministries (CCM) - We support the work of Eden's CCM in assisting the needy of our community with food, utilities and housing.  Our members volunteer to answer and respond to the CCM "Help Line."  As with Salvation Army, we collect food throughout the year to help stock their food pantry and collect special offerings to offer financial support.  Contact our CCM liaison, Bill Groseclose, at 623-8690. 

Meals on Wheels - We have a group of volunteers who deliver in-home meals to the needy of our community through their work with Rockingham County Council on Aging.  To learn more about Meals on Wheels, contact our Meals on Wheels coordinator, Bonnie Francis, at 623-8590. 

Saturday Church School - Each Saturday during the school year, we host Saturday Church School in our fellowship hall.  These adult students have mental or physical challenges and are in need of special attention as they gather to learn and fellowship together.  For more information, contact our Saturday Church School liaison, Phyllis Stickels, at budphyll@triad.rr.com.

Habitat for Humanity - We continually work with our local Habitat Chapter to build homes in our community.  We have participated through our gifts and hands on service.  Contact our Habitat liaison, Bob Futrell, at

Youth Mission Blitz - Each fall, our youth join together with other youth groups to serve as the hands of feet of Christ in our own communtiy.  They work with a variety of agencies and individuals to provide light repair and construction work and landscaping projects.

Global Missions

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) - UMCOR is our denomination's disaster response ministry.  In 2010, Leaksville UMC has donated over $4,000 to Haiti earthquake relief through UMCOR.  Members assembled and packed 78 health and hygiene kits for distribution in Haiti.  Visit new.gbgm-umc.org/Umcor for more information or to make a secure, online donation.

Hearts with Haiti - Pastor Patrick is the vice-president of Hearts with Haiti, Inc., an ecumenical non-profit organization that supports the work of three homes for children and a school for the poor in three communities in Haiti.  A mission team from Leaksville UMC is slated to visit the homes this year.  Visit www.heartswithhait.org for more information.