Helping Others (Missions)

Christ asserts the importance of the commands to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. At Sandy Springs UMC, we strive to live out this principle and seek to assist all our “neighbors” in Sandy Springs. We do this by active participation, sponsorship and leadership in both Christian ministries and community at-large involvement. We seek to be a responsive, compassionate, community-oriented church. In addition to numerous supportive outreach ministries, the church has hosted numerous large and small community meetings associated with the formation of the city of Sandy Springs.

Mission / Outreach activities include:

FEED ’N SEED

The Feed ’n Seed program ministers to the basic food and clothing needs of the underprivileged and homeless in Sandy Springs. A community meal is served every first and third Sunday between 2:00 and 4:00 PM, and participants are invited to ‘shop’ at the Shepherd’s Cloak for essential clothing such as socks, underwear, jeans, shirts and jackets.  Other churches and community organizations are serving this meal from our facility on most fourth Sundays as well.

SHEPHERD’S CLOAK

As part of SSUMC’s direct outreach to the poor and homeless, the Shepherd’s Cloak collects, sorts and distributes new and gently used clothing to men, women and families in need. Volunteers receive, sort and stock the racks and selves with donated items on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9 AM - Noon. Outside groups wishing to participate may do so by making arrangements ahead of the time they wish to serve.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP

A Luncheon Program for seniors of our church and to seniors in our community.  Transportation is arranged for those living in nearby Senior Residences.

 The time together will give you:

….a delicious lunch
….entertaining and educational programs
….fellowship that ends with smiles of happiness

Join us on the 2^nd Tuesday September - December and February - May

ESL

English as a Second Language (or additional language) follows the traditional method of teaching English to those of other countries and cultures. Classes are held on Sunday afternoons during the school year in conjunction with our Feed 'N Seed meals.  Class starts at 2:45pm. Students of all languages are welcome, as are volunteers for teaching and supervising children of the students.

PALS

Perimeter Adult Learning Services is a community sponsored organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge on a wide variety of topics aimed at senior citizens. SSUMC supports PALS through meeting facilities on a rotating basis with other churches in the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody area. For more information, visit the PALS website by clicking here: www.palsonline.org

SPECIAL PROJECTS

SSUMC participates in or sponsors a number of special events focusing on the specific needs of other faith-based groups and agencies. Among these are food drives, Habitat for Humanity, Angel Tree (provides Christmas for needy children/families), Thanksgiving Dinner and others. Some of these projects are ‘owned’ by SSUMC; others are partnerships with other churches or community organizations.

COMMUNITY MINISTRIES

In addition to Special Projects, SSUMC takes an active support role on a permanent basis with several major agencies whose mission has a direct impact on the lives of, as Jesus said, “the least of these.” Each of these agencies receives direct financial, in-kind and volunteer support from our church.

CAC

Community Action Center’s mission is to serve the residents of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody that, although not yet homeless, live on the edge of hunger, cold and eviction. CAC provides a food pantry, clothing boutique and financial assistance with rent and utilities. It also provides a comprehensive referral service to other benevolent agencies and government offices for additional assistance with health, education and shelter.

The church regularly collects needed items for CAC and one month each year we take primary responsibility for supplying their food pantry.  A special food drive is also held each prior in order to provide Thanksgiving baskets to needy families.  For more information about CAC, go to: www.ourcac.org

AUM

Atlanta Urban Ministries is an agency of the United Methodist Church under the umbrella of Action Ministries. AUM serves homeless women and children in the broader Atlanta Area with lunches, mental health diagnosis and referrals, job training, food pantry, after school program for children, transportation to and from community day shelters, and other services. More information: www.atlantaurbanministries.org

AFCB

Atlanta Community Food Bank is now rated in the top ten food banks in the USA. It recently built and opened a new facility to accommodate the receiving, storage, preservation (freezers) and distribution of tons and tons of food that would otherwise be discarded as surplus. AFCB distributes through qualified agencies such as AUM and CAC, providing excellent quality food for just pennies when compared to cost of this food at the store. More information: www.acfb.org