Missions
Serving the Wider Community
As United Methodists, we believe the work of the church is the work of all the people. Each of us is called to participate and to put our faith into action. This means living into our promise to support the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
We offer a number of opportunities to serve beyond our own congregation.
In Our Local and Regional Community
Community Banquet is a free meal program offered through the collaborative work of area churches. It is hosted at St. James Church in Menomonee Falls at 5:30 PM on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month. Neighbors chat and share with each other their joys and sorrows. Folks whose food budget doesn’t quite make it to the end of the month are welcome. Volunteers from our congregation handle setup and desserts, cleanup or cooking on a rotation of about 8 times per year.
Courage Plus is a Wisconsin non-profit that serves unhoused and displaced youth in the LGBTQ+ community. They provide two living accommodations: Courage House for youth from 12 to 17 years, and C2 Apartments for young people from 17 to 24. Emmanuel has supported them with household supplies and money. Learn more at courageplus.org.
Falls Area Food Pantry gathers and distributes nutritious food to those with acute or chronic need who live in eight communities surrounding the greater Menomonee Falls area. They are located at N85W15382 Menomonee River Parkway. In 2024, families made 5,423 pantry visits. Every 12th week, volunteers from our congregation help stack and sort food on Tuesdays and help our clients shop on Thursdays. If you have an interest in volunteering, please contact our church representative, Barb Kumrow, barbkumrow@yahoo.com. For more information about the pantry (including hours and donation needs), visit their website at fallsfoodpantry.org.
Habitat for Humanity builds decent, affordable homes for families who are unable to purchase a home through traditional methods, with the goal of helping homeowners obtain self-sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty. Our congregation works with other sister churches in raising funds and providing labor to build at least one Habitat house in the city of Milwaukee each year. Although carpentry skills are a plus, we also need painters, “gofers,” and lunch providers. For more information about Habitat, visit their website at milwaukeehabitat.org, or contact the Mission team.
Rooted & Rising – Washington Park (formerly United Methodist Children’s Services) believes in the dignity, potential and worth of all people and is dedicated to helping individuals and families meet their basic needs, establish stable foundations, and pursue their dreams. They are united in their mission to build a nurturing, thriving community where all people feel welcome, supported and a sense of belonging. Members of ECUMC serve at the Food Center and provide salads (made at church), or soup, or meals. There are opportunities to help with gardening, pick up food and stocking shelves at the Food Center. We also collect and provide warm clothing, hygiene items and other supplies as requested. Visit them at https://www.rootedandrisingwp.org/
Northcott Neighborhood House supports family stability, provides educational and recreational programs for youth, lessens neighborhood tensions, combats community deterioration, and provides various social services for the residents of Milwaukee’s Harambee and surrounding neighborhoods. Learn more at https://northcotthouse.org/
In the World
Youth Missions offer youth of our congregation the opportunity to participate in mission trips each year that help grow their faith through servanthood to others. While on their trip, a blog is updated each day with news, stories, and pictures to keep loved ones at home up-to-date.
For more information about youth missions, visit our Youth Ministries page.
Adult Missions offer adults of our congregation the opportunity to participate in mission trips and events locally as well as around the world. We often partner with other congregations or ministries to further our reach and strengthen our ability to serve others.
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) works globally to alleviate human suffering and advance hope and healing. As the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR strengthens and transforms people and communities. Visit their website at https://www.umcmission.org/umcor to learn how you can help.
Becas con Bendiciones program is designed to provide 100% of the school related needs of a child from Honduras. These needs include uniforms for school, specific sports clothing for P.E. classes, matriculation fees, and maintenance fees. These fees plus basic school supplies place formal education out of the reach of many children. Visit them at http://www.becasconbendiciones.com/.
