Outreach
We believe all ages of our church should actively serve and love our neighbors, both near and far. Through initiatives like Costa Rica Mission Project, where we build churches and hope for those in need, to our local BEDS ministry, to packing and delivering hot meals for My Brother's Keeper, to our children making Blessing Bags, our disciples are behind the scenes all over town making an impact. Join us as we extend our hands and hearts to serve others, demonstrating God’s compassion and grace to all.
B.E.D.S (Better Education Demands Sleep) Ministry
Central member Art Justice tossed and turned in bed many nights as he wondered how many children did not have a comfortable place to lay their heads at night. He visited Harrison UMC in Pineville, NC, to learn about their BEDS Ministry from leader Bob Gourlay. Justice, an attorney by profession, began the ministry here at Central in 2015 and was overwhelmed with donated lumber from his clients. He now leads Central members and volunteers in building beds for those children in need in the Florence School District One each year.
We are inviting all ages and people with or without any labor skill sets. We have trained people who are willing and able to assist you in your area of building interest. Also, if you have a hand-held router or cordless drill, please bring them along with your charger and drill bits.
Costa Rica Mission Project
The Outreach and Advocacy Committee of Central United Methodist Church sponsors the Costa Rica Mission Trip. All ages are welcome to attend. Children younger than 14 years of age must be accompanied by a parent. Central works with missionary Wil Bailey and the Costa Rica Mission Project (CRMP) organization.
American Red Cross Blood Drives
Central supports the community and American Red Cross by holding blood drives approximately every 56 days. Every single blood donor offers the ultimate gift anyone could ever offer another person – the gift of life. You can register to donate by calling the church office, stopping by the front desk in the church office, or signing up online at Red Cross.
Santahatchie Youth Mission Project
Central UMC sponsors a Santahatchie Project in the Florence area each year. The week following Christmas, teams of youth and adult volunteers camp at Central and work on several homes to make them warmer, safer, and drier. These homes belong to people unable to afford these repairs otherwise. All meals and accommodations are provided at the church.
Salkehatchie Youth Summer Mission
A summer mission which repairs homes at sites throughout S.C., Salkehatchie has become a watch word for our church youth in July of each year. Our Outreach budget provides scholarships for deserving youth who have financial constraints.
Parking Lot Mission
Central supports this vital ministry to those in need in the parking lot behind the old HopeHealth at 600 East Palmetto Street at 7:00 a.m. on scheduled Saturday mornings throughout the year.
Epworth Children's Home
Epworth Children’s Home is a vital part of the ministry of this church and of the United Methodist Church in South Carolina. For most of us, we have never heard the actual voices of children who have suffered abuse and neglect. We take part in the Epworth Mother's Day Offering and Epworth Work Day Offering each year. For more information about Epworth, visit their website.
Blessing Box
Central UMC, in partnership with Cumberland UMC, has erected a Blessing Box on the corner of the Central UMC parking lot on Coit Street. The purpose of the Blessing Box is to provide non-perishable food items for persons in need. Central UMC is responsible for stocking the Blessing Box in August, October, and December (every other month).
Your help is needed to stock the box! Please consider donating items for the box either by placing your donations directly in the box or by leaving your items at the church office. The Blessing Box will be checked on Sunday and Wednesday for restocking.
Please see the list below for suggested donation items.
Suggested Items: all easy open/pop top containers | Vienna sausage | tuna pouches packs of crackers | single serve peanut butter| spaghetti-o type pasta - single serve | lunch box size fruits or vegetable pudding or Jell-O cups | pop tarts | granola bars | small boxes of raisins single-serve boxes of cereal | single serving cheese and crackers | pretzel sticks and cheese | individually packaged spoons
Other Outreach Opportunities:
Central supports other ministries in the Florence area and abroad. If you would like more information about how to serve these ministries through Central, please contact our Associate Pastor at the contact button at the top of this page.
Pee Dee Coalition Against Sexual Abuse & Domestic Violence
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity