Prairie People have a heart for Missions and Justice.
The church exists for the transformation of the world. We are a church that can be found serving God and others in places of need in our community and world. We lead and partner with the efforts of other non-profits and organizations that share our heart to change our community for the better. See the Mission and Justice Ministry Opportunities we engage in regularly listed below. Scroll to the bottom to submit your own ideas.
Housing Insecurity
Habitat for Humanity
People in our community and all over the world partner with Habitat to build a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.
A Prairie work crew volunteers at the COS Habitat build sites a few times each year. We participate in Interfaith Unity Builds. To participate, email Kymm@GenesisEquipping.com.
The Place
The real life challenges of youth experiencing homelessness can be overcome. That’s where The Place comes in – they offer vital programs that support young people (ages 15-21) on their journey. At The Place, youth find skills, support and insight that allow them to step off the streets and step toward a brighter future. "The Prairie Brunch Club" prepares and provides a monthly brunch for the clients of The Place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (10:30-noon), and would love your help! Prairie also hosts a table at the "Off The Streets Breakfast" fundraising event. To get involved, email Kymm@GenesisEquipping.com.
Family Promise
Help families that are experiencing homelessness. Family Promise is a mission that sponsors families with chiuldren who have found themselves in a temporary position of being homeless. They are housed and fed, helped with job placement and eventually returned to self-sufficiency. The guest families are sheltered at a "static site" located at The Edge, near FUMC downtown. Prairie Church provides meals 3x/week for 3-4 weeks/year. To get involved, email Kymm@GenesisEquipping.com.
Food Insecurity
Fresh Start Food Pantry
We donate food to The Fresh Start Center on the 1st Sunday of every month. They offer community gardening, transitional employment and a food distribution center for our neighbors in need, right in the eastern plains!
Needed items are typically canned meats, canned tomato sauce, tomato paste, canned fruits, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, toilet paper. Bring your items the 1st Sunday of the month to worship, where we will have a receptacle to collet them.
Feed My Starving Children
Join us during the summer for the Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) Mobile Pack at a host church in Colorado Springs. The ministry engages about 480 volunteers to serve throughout six different two-hour shifts. We will create 300,000 meals for starving children around the world. Kids ages 5 and up can volunteer in the packing of these food bags that will then be sent around the world to hungry kids. PUMC sends at least one food-packing team for the event each year. These volunteer teams are expected to raise money in addition to serving as food packers. Watch the e-Newsletter for details coming in the summer.
MESA House
We are seeking a fresh way to be in relationship with persons experiencing homelessness. We are planning future service through The Mesa House.
Mesa House helps people who struggle with symptoms of mental illness, and who have a history of homelessness by providing food, shelter, and medications.
General Poverty Christmas Outreach
Angel Tree - Prison Fellowship Ministry
Incarceration can strain family ties to the breaking point. By providing Christmas gifts on behalf of incarcerated parents or sending kids to summer camp, we help relieve some of the stress. PUMC sponsors 20-30 local children of incarcerated individuals at Christmas, purchasing 2-3 gifts/child. We start the program by contacting caregivers in October, and start collecting gifts early Novemver. Gifts are delivered in mid-December. Look for information at Sunday worship during those months!
Christmas in the Parking Lot
Christmas in the Parking Lot is an annual December mission at FUMC. You’re invited to make Christmas bright for folks who are homeless by participating in a “give away” event held downtown on Christmas Day. The Prairie UMC will be collecting and distributing NEW underwear - so yes, we are known as "the underwear church!" You can help on Christmas day, anytime between 12:30 to 3 pm. "Show you care with underwear!"
Christmas Stars
Make Christmas bright for someone in need! Christmas Stars Adopt-a-Student is our Christmas mission to under-privileged children in our city. We receive the names of children from their school counselors and then we are invited to select a child to sponsor by providing a toy or clothing item from a “wish list” sent by parents/guardians. PUMC sponsors 20-30 local children in need at Christmas, purchasing gifts for them.
Social Justice: Immigration & Resettlement Support
Support Afghan Families
Prairie Church has been "sponsoring" three young families from Afghanistan, initially partnering with Lutheran Family Services. We collected household items and have generally helped resettle three families. Read a letter from Jerry Oyer about this important work here.
PUMC continues to support these Afghan families who relocated to COS since 2021. We help them integrate into housing, jobs, schools, driving, English learning, and the community at large. Contact Cyndy Wacker (cyndynurse@gmail.com) if you'd like to get involved.
Culinary Connections
PUMC partners with WelcomeCOS, Genesis Equipping Ministries, Creative Exchange, Diversified to enable refugee women in COS to learn business skills through a meal prep and sales program operated out of the FUMC kitchen on a monthly basis. Culinary Connections is a platform for women to share their culture with their new communities- while also supporting their families. Every meal supports job training, certification, and fair wages for our chefs.
Each purchase builds understanding, creates opportunity, and invests in a more connected Colorado Springs. Check us out! Order, volunteer or donate at www.CulinaryConnections.us.
English Language Learning (ELL) Program
PUMC partners with WelcomeCOS, Genesis Equipping Ministries and Creative Exchange to operate a new English Language Learning program at the FUMC facility, using two recently aquired grants (Genesis and Methodists Helping Methodists). PUMC volunteers help with children's program, transportation, teaching and with possible tutoring. To volunteer or donate, contact program director Donna Kushner (donna.kushner@welcomecos.org)
Social Justice: Continued
Allies for Racial Equity
Prairie Church has been "sponsoring" three young families from Afghanistan, initially partnering with Lutheran Family Services. We collected household items and have generally helped resettle three families. Read a letter from Jerry Oyer about this important work here.
PUMC continues to support these Afghan families who relocated to COS since 2021. We help them integrate into housing, jobs, schools, driving, English learning, and the community at large. Contact Cyndy Wacker (cyndynurse@gmail.com) if you'd like to get involved.
LGBTQIA2S+ Advocacy
PUMC partners with WelcomeCOS, Genesis Equipping Ministries, Creative Exchange, Diversified to enable refugee women in COS to learn business skills through a meal prep and sales program operated out of the FUMC kitchen on a monthly basis. Culinary Connections is a platform for women to share their culture with their new communities- while also supporting their families. Every meal supports job training, certification, and fair wages for our chefs.
Each purchase builds understanding, creates opportunity, and invests in a more connected Colorado Springs. Check us out! Order, volunteer or donate at www.CulinaryConnections.us.
Strengthening The Body
If you find yourself in a time of need yourself, and don't know where to turn for help, please know your Prairie Family is here for you. Click here to let the Pastor (and only the pastor) know of your need and to seek assistance.
General Neighborly Needs
Back to School
Not all kids can afford all that "Back to School" stuff on the long list handed out at th start of each school year. We have suported West Side Cares and One Nation Walking Together in collecting school backpacks and contents each year. Watch the Newsletter for specifics for this year.
Melody Assisted Living
Seniors, especially those living in Assisted Living Facilities, often experience isolation and feel disconnected. We Invite families with children to deliver cookies (baked and donated by PUMC people), Easter cards (made by Prairie kids in Sunday School), and fun socks (donated by PUMC people) to Assisted living residents (60) at Melody Assisted Living after worship on Palm Sunday. Watch the e-Newsletter for other opportunities to connect with our senior neighbors.
Disaster Relief: Neighbors Beyond COS
We assemble hygiene kits and other needs identified by UMCOR to be delivered on an as-needed basis in response to local and national disasters. PUMC has volunteers involved/trained in Volunteers in Mission programs, and as Emergency Response Team members for the Mountain Sky Annual Conference. Watch your e-Newlsetter for opportunities to respond.
Get Involved
Volunteer for Missions & Justice Ministries.
Send an email to Kymm@GenesisEquipping.com with title "New Mission Volunteer.” Or click on the icon above.
Suggest a NEW Mission & Justice Ministry
Send an email to Kymm@GenesisEquipping.com with title "New Mission Idea.” Or click on the icon above.
Help for Strengthening the Body
If you can provide a service you'd like to make known to the Prairie People, and are willing to offer that service at a significant discount to persons in need in our congregation, please let us know by clicking here and describing that service.