We continue Christ’s work in the world by connecting the congregation with ministry opportunities, both within our church, and reaching beyond to our community.  All of our mission efforts need volunteers as well as financial assistance. Please email: connectwithmission@stmatthewumc.net if you would like to get involved or have questions.

Serving St. Matthew

Children’s Church Helper

Would you like to get to know some of our younger members? Children’s Church is when younger children leave during the 11 am service for a lesson and play time. You serve with the leader, so no planning or preparation is needed. Simply spend time enjoying the children. Adult helpers are needed, as well as older children/youth helpers.
To Volunteer: Adult Helper Sign-Up
or Older Child/Youth Helper Sign-Up

Coffee Crew

Help to set up coffee for the contemporary worship service, beginning at 8:00 am on a Sunday morning. Volunteers start the coffee maker and set out cups and creamer. You will be shown what to do!
To Volunteer: Sign Up Now!

Communion Helper – 8:45 am Service

Help set up communion the first Sunday of each month for 8:45 am worship. It is easy yet so important! All the supplies you need are provided for you. It takes about 10 minutes before the Day By Day service to set up, and about 10 minutes after the service ends to clean up. It is possible to combine this job when volunteering to serve coffee.
To Volunteer: Sign Up Now! 
Questions: contact Beth Murphy through the church office.

Communion Helper – 11:00 am Service

Contemporary Worship Helper

Help to run the multimedia at the 8:45 am Contemporary Worship Service. Proclaim software is used, but no experience is necessary (you will be directed to the training videos). Or help to set-up chairs and equipment before the service.
To Volunteer: contact Angel King through the church office.

Greeters – Sunday Morning Welcome Team 

Welome visitors and guests to our morning worship services. This only takes a few minutes of your time, but is such an important way to welcome our guests, as well as those who are already a part of our church family. Sign up is easy, and instructions and tips are included.
To Volunteer: Sign Up Now to claim your Sunday!

Nurture Team

The Nurture Team serves to provide encouragement for congregational members experiencing life changes. We send cards, bring meals, and provide support. We invite you to be part of the Nurture Team.
To Volunteer: contact Caroline Cullinan through the church office.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Volunteers knit or crochet shawls, blankets or lap robes while praying for the recipient to be embraced by God’s loving presence. When completed, the shawls, blankets or lap robes are made available to the pastor to take to members as appropriate during pastoral care calls. All are welcome to help.
To Volunteer: contact Nancy Groff through the church office.

Serving Our Community

Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)

St. Matthew serves a hearty, nutritious lunch one Friday every other month to incarcerated youth at Greenville County Juvenile Detention Facility. Volunteers are needed to bring food and/or to serve the lunch. We also provide a Christmas luncheon and gifts during the holidays to this special population of young adults as well as the officers, teachers, and employees of the facility.
To get involved: contact Maya Powers through the church office.

Epiphany 

Epiphany’s mission is “To show Christ’s love to troubled and incarcerated youth.” Adult volunteers go through training and spend a weekend ministering to incarcerated youth to show them God’s grace and unconditional love. There are ongoing monthly reunions following the weekend.
To get involved: contact Betsy Boaze through the church office.

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)

Our church is uniquely gifted with our location and facilities to be a perfect site for United Ministries Interfaith Hospitality Network. For two weeks out of the year, St. Matthew provides emergency shelter to families who would otherwise have no place in Greenville to stay together. We provide meals, shower facilities, and a secure location for these families as they work with United Ministries towards stable housing. This is a critical need for our Greenville neighbors, as safe and affordable housing becomes more scarce.
For more information: visit the United Ministries website.
To get involved: contact Bartley Sides through the church office.

Rebuild Upstate

SMUMC  partners with this local organization several times throughout the year to provide home repairs or modifications to a local impoverished or elderly homeowner in need of assistance. Our church independently raises funding for each worksite and works through Rebuild Upstate to identify a neighbor with critical home repair needs.
For more information: visit the Rebuild Upstate website.
To get involved: contact Lynn Spicher through the church office.

Salkehatchie Summer Service

Teams of adults and youth go to rural or low-income sites in South Carolina for one week to work on homes of impoverished, elderly, or disabled individuals. St. Matthew contributes both donations to pay for supplies and people power. All skill sets are welcomed and encouraged!
To get involved: visit the Salkehatchie website

Triune Mercy Center 

Triune Mercy Center is a non-denominational church here in Greenville that works closely alongside the homeless and addicted populations in the city. Every 5th Saturday in the month, our church prepares and serves lunch to those in need. As a volunteer, you will be serving plates and taking them to the tables. It lasts about one hour.
For more information: visit the Triune Mercy Center website.
To get involved: contact Claire Winkler through the church office

United Ministries Food Pantry

United Ministries helps provide those in need in Greenville with education and employment, crisis assistance, and homeless services. The Food Pantry’s goal is to provide stability when families are in crisis with food. St. Matthew has an ongoing food drive to keep the pantry stocked. When you do your weekly grocery shopping, consider shopping for United Ministries too! Items needed: dried beans, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned soup/vegetables, meats, fruit, cereal and grits.
To get involved: Please place donated food items in the designated containers in the Narthex, Education Building (first floor lobby), Family Life Center (second floor lobby) or the Church office.
Questions? Contact Terhune Sudderth, Debbie Wattenbarger through the church office.