The Twelve Days of Missions

12.01.20 | MIssions by Beth Valentine

While we are unable to offer our traditional “Alternative Gift Market” this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, we do offer you an alternative to the alternative – “The Twelve Days of Missions”!

Listed here are 12 organizations supported by First UMC. Not only does our church provide financial support, but we also strive to maintain ongoing relationships with these ministries and the people they serve.

The pandemic has caused tremendous economic hardship around the world. Please share your abundance with those less fortunate by making a donation to one or more of these life-changing ministries. Your generosity will be especially appreciated this year.

You may read more about an organization by clicking on the link to their web site next to the organization name. Online donation links can be found at the end of each organization’s description. Please donate directly to your chosen organization(s) in this way.

  1. Bethesda Mission: bethesdamission.org  

Since 1914, Bethesda Mission in Harrisburg has been a missionary arm of the local church, reaching out to men, women, and children of all races, nationalities, and creeds, providing the poor and homeless with shelter, food, clothing, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and discipling them in the Christian life.

Donate here.

  1. Family Promise (Harrisburg Capital Region): familypromisehcr.org   

A local affiliate of a national nonprofit agency that serves families who recently lost their homes. During the day, families go to a day center located in Camp Hill. Children attend school in their home districts. Social workers provide case management and training in skills such as parenting, budgeting, and other life skills.

Donate here.

  1. General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM): https://umcmission.org   

The worldwide mission, relief and development agency of The United Methodist Church, working with partners and churches in more than 115 countries to equip and transform people and places for God’s mission.

Learn more about the Give Love 2020 giving campaign here.

  1. Hershey Food Bank: hersheyfoodbank.com  

An all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization whose purpose is to serve the Derry Township community by providing food and assistance with the temporary needs of families and individuals in financial distress.

Donate here.

  1. HOPE International: hopeinternational.org  

Nonprofit based in Lancaster that shares the hope of Christ through providing biblically based training, savings services, and loans that restore dignity and break the cycle of poverty. Their desire is to see men and women around the world find their soul’s satisfaction in Christ and become dignified, hope-filled providers in their families and communities.

Donate here.

  1. Love, INC (Greater Hershey Area): loveincgreaterhershey.org   

A local chapter of a national organization uniting the resources of multiple local churches to provide support and direction to community people in need. Their mission is to mobilize the church to transform lives and the community in the name of Christ.

Donate here.

  1. Mission Central. missioncentral.org      

The UMC mission warehouse located in Mechanicsburg that provides resources and logistical support for disaster response, mission outreach, and education. Their mission is “Connecting God’s Resources with Human Need.”

Donate here.

  1. Raising Hope, Inc.—Ukraine: raisinghopeukraine.com   

A registered 501c3 nonprofit, Raising Hope provides Christ’s love and hope to orphanages and other institutions, children, and families in need in Ukraine through various means of support.

Donate here.

  1. Red Bird Mission & Christian School: rbmission.org   

Ministry in the heart of Kentucky's Appalachia that seeks to provide spiritual, physical, educational and economic needs for people without opportunities and struggling to live day by day.

Donate here.

  1. She’s Somebody’s Daughter: shessomebodysdaughter.org   

A 501c3 nonprofit based in central PA which raises awareness and offers intervention for women who are victims of sexual exploitation.

Donate here.

  1. Someone To Tell It To: someonetotellitto.org   

A 501c3 non-profit ministry, co-founded by former Hershey First UMC pastor, Rev. Michael Gingerich, with the mission of cultivating meaningful relationships through compassionate listening and training others to do the same.

Donate here.

  1. United Methodist Home for Children: https://umhc.org   

Located in Mechanicsburg, the Home provides community-based care services including safe housing, food, clothing, educational support, and counseling to youth ages 12-20 and families in need in central and southeastern PA. Originally a home for orphans, today the Home is a refuge for children who are the victims of a negative social environment.

Learn about special Christmas donations here