"The world of the generous gets larger and larger;
the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;
Those who help others are helped."
-Proverbs 11:24-25, The Message

Doing good works requires effort by two kinds of generous people: those who do the work and those who supply the money so the work can be done and pray for the success of each ministry. The Outreach Ministry at PAUMC provides opportunities for members and friends to be involved in both of these ways.  As United Methodists we believe giving is an act of thanksgiving and worship, so we send our missionaries and ourselves into the world to spread the good news, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and help God’s children everywhere.  The Outreach Ministry is involved in world, national, and local ministry.  Besides contributing financially and prayerfully, our members and friends participate in fellowship and service in many ways and at a variety of locations many of which are listed below.

ORGANIZATIONS

•  Bridging, Inc.  - We contribute to this organization, which provides the economically disadvantaged with a one-time gift of furniture and household items. For more info, click                

• Cornerstone - We support this organization that provides intervention and prevention services to support people in overcoming domestic abuse. Cornerstone's mission is to prevent domestic abuse. They provide children and adults a continuum of service that builds sustainable self-reliance and revives the human spirit. For more info, click  

•  Feed My Starving Children - FMSC is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s starving children.  At least twice a year, about 40 volunteers from PAUMC gather to hand-pack dehydrated meals which are sent to areas of greatest need around the globe.  For more info, click  

• Heifer International - We support Heifer’s mission of giving livestock, seeds or training to families struggling with hunger and poverty all over the world. Our children bring a special offering to Sunday School every week to contribute to the purchase of an animal every year. For more info, click

• Paint-a-thon - Each year, on the first weekend in August, Metro Paint-A-Thon rallies volunteer teams from corporations, congregations, and civic groups to paint the homes of low-income seniors and people with disabilities.  The program helps homeowners remain living independently in their own homes and improves neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area.  Since 1984, Paint-A-Thon volunteers have painted more than 6,000 homes. For more info, click                                                                  

• Project AgGRAD – Project AgGrad is an Advance Special project in which graduate-level students from developing nations come to the University of Minnesota's agriculture school to study production agriculture. The students come with the agreement that they will return to their home nations to teach or do research to increase food production in that nation -- thereby responding to Christ's mandate to feed the hungry and address the world hunger situation. Minnesota hosts one student at a time.  For more info, click                                          

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• UMCOR  - The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church.  UMCOR is providing relief in disaster areas, aiding refugees, and confronting the challenge of world hunger and poverty in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States.   UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering—whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster—with open minds and hearts to all people.  One-hundred per cent of money donated to UMCOR goes directly to fund the programs.  Administrative costs are covered by a yearly offering, One Great Hour of Sharing. (Click for their website)
• United Methodist Student Day - a special offering that funds scholarships to United Methodist students.
• VEAP -  Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People is a local agency that serves low-income families, individuals, elderly and disabled persons.  We regularly donate to The Food Shelf, collect Back to School items, participate in Build-a-Bag for Thanksgiving Meals, and stock shelves on Community Tuesdays.
• World Communion Sunday - On this day we celebrate our oneness in Christ, the Prince of Peace, in the midst of the world we are called to serve – a world ever more in need of peacemaking.

Peace with Justice Sunday – a special offering that supports the teaching of conflict resolution, communication skills and mediation.Other wonderful hands-on opportunities make a difference to those in our community who are experiencing homelessness, poverty or health problems.   Some of the organizations we serve are Emma’s Place, Project Homeless Connect, Redbird Mission, Simpson Men’s Shelter, Simpson Women’s Shelter and Walker Care Center.