Charlottesville First UMC serves the greater community on the East Coast and internationally through short-term and recurring missions, including Appalachia Service Project, Friends of Ft. Liberte Mission in Haiti, a partnership with Kaunus UMC in Lithuania, and Stop Hunger Now.

 


 

Our Worldwide Ministries

 

Rise Against Hunger

Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) is a nonprofit organization which packages individual vitamin and mineral enriched meals that are shipped to third-world countries to support school and orphanage food programs. CFUMC hosts an annual packaging event on Easter Saturday with a yearly goal to raise at least $5000 to package at least 20,000 meals. Participation in the packaging event is open to people of all ages, from preschool to senior citizens. It is a great joy to see members from each service and other churches working side-by-side to help feed God's people.

 


 

Appalachia Service Project

Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is a national organization that focuses on the needs of those experiencing poverty in Appalachia. Their summer program consists of youth-oriented mission trips that serve the people of Appalachia by making their homes warmer, safer, and drier. Activities consist of light to moderate construction work, evening programs, and morning devotions. Charlottesville First United Methodist Church has been making yearly trips since 2002. Youth who are at least 13 years old and have completed 8th grade are invited and encouraged to participate. Adult participation is needed as well to provide supervision and mentoring. Check out the video to see some of the things that God accomplishes through these summer mission trips!

 


 

Friends of Fort Liberte

CFUMC and members of the Central Virginia area partner with The Friends of Ft. Liberte, a 501(c) 3 founded to serve the people of the Ft. Liberte area in northeast Haiti. This charity has helped develop a farm that is now producing and selling plantain and chickens for profit. There are about 450 children in the sponsorship program, which allows them to attend school and get at least one free meal a day. They support a medical clinic which is open daily and provides care for residents in a large area of Northeast Haiti. Medical demand has grown exponentially since the government shut down the only hospital in the area. There is active ministry to the elderly in the area and in the area of education. Yearly service trips involve a wide variety of activities and opportunities designed to help meet the needs of God's people in Haiti. Any talent or passion can be used in this mission. If you would like to participate in this activity or would like to know more, please contact Andy Guertler.

 


 

Lithuania Missions

In 1941, Russia occupied Lithuania, marking the end of freedom of worship. A reign of terror began, with many pastors and laity suffering persecution and being forced to flee to other countries. When the Soviets left in 1993 and Lithuania became a democracy, it was decided to launch an initiative to renew Methodism. Charlottesville FUMC became a partner church with Kaunas UMC in 2000, pledging to provide financial support for the church’s infrastructure. Mission teams from Charlottesville make trips to Kaunas to share in ministry through children’s and adult Bible school, home visits to shut-ins, a seniors support group, and concerts. If you are interested in participating or learning more, contact Bill Clarke.