Centenary is committed to being a strong and supportive pillar of our community. Not only offering worship services to our congregants and guests, but also ministries outside of our doors. We feel strongly that God calls us to help others. So we have dedicated ourselves to Reaching Out to the local community, and to the world, to do what we can to help those in need.
Here are just some of the ways that we reach out to those outside our doors:
Personal Care Items for Our Local Schools
Guarding the dignity of people is important at Centenary. There is a special need in our local schools for items that help maintain that dignity. We collect feminine pads & tampons to hand out at the schools when needed, as well as dental supplies, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, and conditioner.
School Supplies for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center
These are collected here at church and distributed to kids who have trouble affording even the most basic of school necessities. Crayons, rulers, pens, pencils, paper, scissors, etc., are all sent to the Midwest Distribution Mission Center for worldwide distribution.
Food for Catholic Charities
We collect food for the Catholic Charities Food Pantry each month to help supply food to those who struggle with food insecurity. Donations of non-perishable food items can be taken to the Mission Room (Room 17) at Centenary any time. Our donations are delivered to Catholic Charities the third Monday of each month.
Pick It Up Effingham
Centenary helps keep our city clean. Monthly, we clean a strip of city road near the Effingham Menard's. This is a great way for us to make a difference in our community. If you would like to join us, you have to be 10 years of age and sign a release form in the Centenary United Methodist Church office.
Mission Trips
Our Mission Team regularly plans work trips both in and out of state to places like Henderson Settlement in Kentucky and Little Grassy Camp in Southern Illinois. The people attending these trips give freely and generously of their time and talents to help people in need.
Mitten Collection
Every year we set up a Christmas tree in our Sanctuary and invite people to place hats, gloves, scarves, and, of course, mittens, on it. These are donated to Catholic Charities for distribution to area children in need.
Angel Star Tree
Every Christmas we place a large tree with stars with the names and ages of children in need in Effingham. You take a star, buy an appropriate gift, and bring it back wrapped to place under the Star Tree. The packages are then delivered to the children. It's another way we help give the gift of Christmas to area children who might otherwise not receive any gifts.