Missions

St. James is very involved in missions, local and world-wide. Even during the pandemic St. James remained active through adapting our missions. All are invited to participate.

United Methodist Food Pantry – Volunteers serve the second Tuesday of every month from 4-8 PM. Two shifts, 4-6 pm and 6-8 pm. In addition, the church accepts donations so the food pantry can purchase food and personal hygiene items.

Community Missions:
Sew & So – This group meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays every month. They sew pillows, turbans, and quilts for distribution to several cancer treatment centers and hospice groups in Abilene.
                New Roots Garden – Raised bed gardens at the church are planted and tended to by refugees making a new home here in Abilene.

Education – Cards, letters and small gifts are sent to the teachers at Jackson Elementary School, Madison Middle School and the YMCA Daycare by members of St. James to encourage them and to show our appreciation for all their hard work.
Backpacks for kids – During the school year, this group meets every two weeks to pack bags with food for children, identified by the school, to take home to have something to eat for the weekend.

Holiday Missions:
                Thanksgiving Meal – Donations are accepted to assist families in need through UMC Food Pantry.
Christmas – We have opportunity to buy Christmas gifts for the children who are in care of The Methodist Children’s Home foster families located in Abilene. We also buy gifts for the Friends for Life, a non-profit organization serving elderly without family.

Foreign Missions:
St. James supports foreign missions through our Shared Ministries of the greater United Methodist Church and through sponsorship within our congregation.

Crisis Mission:
                St. James supports UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), a world-wide mission intervening all disasters, man-made and natural.
                Local disaster relief for our brothers and sisters in our community.