Mission

JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL Outreach Programs Include:
Christmas Tree Pickup, Camp Aldersgate, Rise Against Hunger, Boston Marathon, City Reach

Christmas Tree Pickup: Each January, we pick up Christmas trees from Needham residents for recycling. This is a free service, but we accept donations which are passed on to service and charitable organizations. Over the past five years, we have distributed over $60,000 to organizations such as Imagine No Malaria, the Needham Community Council, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

Camp Aldersgate: This is a Methodist-sponsored camp which provides camping and retreat experiences for all ages. This year, we had a service and fellowship weekend at the camp.

Rise Against Hunger: provides millions of nutritious meals annually to school lunch and other community programs overseas. Each year, we have a meal-packing event to prepare meals to be distributed through Rise Against Hunger. At our 2018 event, we packed over 12,000 meals to be distributed to the needy in Africa.

Boston Marathon: Through our Wellesley campus, located near the halfway point of the Marathon, we supported the Marathon's medical team to assist runners who were suffering in the cold and rainy conditions.

City Reach: is an overnight urban outreach program for youth and young adults. It is a program of Common Cathedral, an outdoor church for the homeless. Our youth group participated in this program in April.

MAY/JUNE/JULY/AUGUST Outreach Programs Include:
Walk for Hunger, Family Promise, Pumpkin Patch Scholarships, Mission Trips

The Walk for Hunger: provides support for over 250 community-based food programs. In 2018, our team of 18 walkers raised over $10,000 for these programs.

Family Promise: provides shelter and comprehensive support to the homeless. Our team provides and serves meals to homeless families participating in this program.

Pumpkin Patch Scholarships: Each year, we offer to graduating high school seniors from the congregation and local communities. The scholarships are awarded based on community service.

Mission Trips: Our weeklong summer trips are designed to help people in need in the United States and abroad. This summer, from July 7 to July 14, our team of about 30 people will be travelling to Houston, TX to help with the Hurricane Harvey recovery.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER Outreach Programs Include:
Ride for Food, Pumpkins with a Purpose, DCF Foster Children

Ride for Food: This ride is a fundraiser that supports food pantries and food rescue organizations. For this year's ride, on September 23, 2018, we will be fielding a team to support the Needham Community Council's food pantry.

Pumpkins with a Purpose: Each October, we operate a Pumpkin Patch on the church lawn. The Patch is designed to provide a fun place for visitors and to raise funds for service and charitable organizations. The pumpkins come from a farm located on a Navajo reservation in New Mexico and provide employment and financial support to the Navajo in an area where employment opportunities are very scarce. We distribute 100% of the remaining proceeds to other local, national, and international service and charitable organizations. Over the last five years, we have distributed over $250,000 to the recipient organizations.

DCF Foster Children: Each December, we provide holiday presents for foster children in the Massachusetts state system. Last year we provided holiday presents for 50 foster children.

YEAR ROUND Outreach Programs Include:
Rosie's Place, Bread of Life, Justice for our Neighbors (JFON)

Rosie's Place: provides a variety of services to over 12,000 women in Boston. Our team of 40 people provides a monthly delivery of healthy food ingredients (meat, rice, fresh fruit and vegetables) for Rosie's meal programs. We also help in serving meals and supporting other programs.

Bread of Life: is our community meal program at Carter. Twice each month, we provide a free fresh-cooked meal and fellowship to all-comers. The meal is cooked and served by volunteers from the congregation and local community.

Justice for our Neighbors (JFON): is a Methodist ministry which provides legal and other services to immigrants. We provide volunteers, participate in their events, and provide financial support.

Donation Programs. We provide volunteers, donations and financial support to a number of other charitable and service organizations. Examples include Generic Ministry (helping the homeless on the street), Dignity Matters (feminine hygiene products), and Circle of Hope (clothing).