MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
We are a body of people who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord — meaning that God lived on earth in the form of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus Christ taught us how to live, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. Our congregation consists of people from every race, of many languages and nationalities (about 25 nations represented on a typical Sunday morning!), of all ages, educational levels, marital statuses, and economic levels. We are all sinners who have thrown ourselves on the grace of God, and we live with a joy and peace because God graciously forgives. God’s Holy Spirit lives in us, and changes us from what we should otherwise be without Him.
FEATURED
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Below is a complete list of Missions/Ministries that Asbury United Methodist Church supports.
Acts of Kindness (A-OK)
Acts of Kindness is a group who gives free of charge to Rock County residents in need of clothing, shoes, coats, hats/gloves, furniture, household items, personal care products and more. If they don’t have it, they will pray that God will make a way for you to get it!
Please call ahead to make an appointment so they can get a list of your needs.
Location: 1212 S Oakhill Ave., Janesville WI
Phone: 608-728-0841
Acceptable Donations:
Men's, Women's, and Children's Clothing: New or like new socks and underwear, Men's jeans all sizes, Boy's jeans sizes 6-18, Shoes and boots, Coats and gloves, Thermal underwear
Linens: Bath towels, Hand towels, Wash cloths, Kitchen towels, Blankets, Comforters, Mattress pads, Sleeping bags, All size sheets
Kitchen: Toaster ovens, Toasters, Mixers, Crock pots, Blenders, Indoor grills, Plastic plates, Cups, Bowls, Silverware, Pots, Pans, Coffee makers, Bakeware, Cookie sheets
Miscellaneous Items: Shower gel, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Deodorant, Bus tokens, Nonperishable Foods or Snacks, Children's books, Ziplock bags for storage, Trash bags
Unacceptable Donations:
No Furniture, No stains, odors, or animal hair, Old socks and underwear, No holes or rips, No missing buttons or broken zippers, No bed pillows, No non-working or broken appliances, No cracked dishes, No washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves
*Items most needed are highlighted in red.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF JANESVILLE
For over 30 years, The Boys and Girls Club has helped the Janesville community by providing equal access to a safe and educational place for local youth when they are not in school.
The Boys and Girls Club provide affordable after-school and summer care for youth in the community from age 6-18. We ensure all children have access to a safe, positive environment during the critical hours when youth are not in school. The Boys and Girls Club is not just a place parents can bring their children when school is out; it is also a place they can learn and build positive relationships with their peers and mentors. We provide high-quality, educational programs to all youth that focus on academic achievement, homework help, healthy lifestyles, and character development.
The Boys and Girls Club partners with the Janesville School District to help address academic concerns and bridge learning gaps while providing the most affordable licensed childcare option in our area - reducing the financial burden for families.
Many local youths do not have equal access to learning and career opportunities. The Boys and Girls Club addresses that issue by providing resources and opportunities to all of our members. When children are left unsupervised, not only can it be dangerous for them, but youth can also cause damage in the community as well. When youth have a safe place to go, especially one that provides educational and fun learning opportunities, everyone in the community benefits from The Boys and Girls Club’s success. The more youth we can serve, the more the community will gain. Together, we can change lives for youth and continue to build a great future for our youth and community.
crop hunger walk
Crop Hunger Walk is part of a movement, taking steps and raising funds together to provide meals for those in our own community who need them - and supporting programs that create greater food security in communities all around the world. Please join us in the fight against hunger. The steps we take and funds we raise will make a difference in the lives of others. 25% of proceeds raised will support Janesville's local ECHO.
ECHO - Everyone cooperating to help others
ECHO is a nonprofit, faith-community sponsored charity organization. Over the years ECHO has evolved from a food pantry and clothing depot to a full-fledged charity organization called upon to help meet temporary housing, food, transportation, and other emergency needs for low-income families in Rock County, Wisconsin.
Asbury is one of the sponsoring churches for this community outreach project and support it with financial gifts, donation of items to the food pantry, school supplies, Christmas toys, and other items.
GIFTS – God is Faithful Temporary Shelter
In 2007, a small group of Christians gathered to make an impact on this community. They opened the first men's shelter in Rock County with the help of area churches. For many years the shelter traveled from church to church during the coldest months of the year. With the support of our donors and volunteers, GIFTS established a permanent home at 1025 N. Washington St. in Janesville, WI. GIFTS Men's Shelter is now open 24/7, 365 days of the year to serve and transform the lives of unsheltered men in Rock County.
Jeff Quaerna is Asbury's GIFTS Liaison. He coordinates the dates when Asbury will help prepare and serve dinners. GIFTS serves approximately 34 men any given day. Many are returning from work or community obligations, so our meal will be a blessing to them! Volunteers are to arrive by 6:00 p.m. and have dinner ready to serve by 6:30 p.m. If you plan to drop off food ahead of time, please put a label with your name/group and date of meal on anything that is dropped off.
Please prepare your heart to bless the Shelter Guests - to encourage them, pray with them, and serve however God leads your heart.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jeff Quaerna on Sunday morning at church.
You may also contact GIFTS directly at (608) 616-9880 or email them at ccrdirector@giftsshelter.org.
HealthNet of ROCK COUNTY
HealthNet of Rock County, Inc. is the only free and charitable clinic in Rock County, providing essential medical, dental, and behavioral health services at no charge or reduced costs to uninsured and under-insured residents. Established in 1994, the organization focuses on preventive care and chronic disease management to improve health outcomes for the local community. Services include primary care, dental treatments, individual counseling, and various health education programs. HealthNet aims to enhance the quality of life for underserved populations and has been recognized for its commitment to quality care.
They are located at 113 S. Franklin St., Janesville WI 53548.
Phone: 608-756-4638
Website: https://healthnet-rock.org
To volunteer your time, or donate to their wish list, please contact them at 608-756-4638 or email execdir.healthnet@gmail.com
Volunteer Requests: Certified Nursing Assistants, Dentists, Medical doctors, Nurses, Office Assistance, Pharmacists, Pharmacy technicians, Physical therapists, Psychiatrists and Social workers.
Our Wish List: Postage stamps, office supplies (printer paper, pens) cleaning supplies, paper supplies, Rosetta Stone – Spanish, Flat screen TV (with USB port), gift cards to local office store or grocery store.
Local School Partnerships
Asbury United Methodist Church and Lincoln School are working together in partnership. They help as volunteers assisting teachers and the children throughout the school year… In addition, they provide scholarships for milk money, hats and gloves as well as school supplies are collected every Fall for the children.
Several times a year, various school supplies/personal items are collected for the children at Lincoln and Jackson elementary schools. In 2015, Parker High School was also adopted by the church to provide supplies.
Lincoln Elementary School has some volunteer opportunities during the school year: Homework help after school, eat lunch with students who could use the “extra” adult attention, re-shelve books in the school library, scholarship monies for field trips or milk money, helping out with the yearly Art Fair or the two musicals. Contact the school at 608-743-6700 if you can volunteer.
MIDWEST MISSION
Midwest Mission a logistical conduit for Christ's ministry. Midwest Mission receives a request from trusted nonprofits, then prepare items they have and ask our supporters for items they need. Volunteers process, revitalize, and assemble the donated items. Then, donations are shipped to their trusted partners to distribute to those in crisis.
NORTHCOTT NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Northcott Neighborhood House, named after Bishop Northcott, is a faith based, nonprofit organization founded by three United Methodist Women 64 years ago. They saw a need and worked to create this community cornerstone for Milwaukee which has served thousands.
Mr. Tony Kearney, the Executive director’s goal is to create educational training to help people out of poverty. Northcott Neighborhood House is one of the National Mission Institutes of United Women In Faith.
The goals are to care for children, educate and develop youth, create economic opportunities, transform neighborhoods, and provide housing. He states,” teach them to fish so they can teach others”.
PROJECT 16:49
Project 16:49 is a local non-profit organization serving Rock County’s unaccompanied homeless teens. We believe every child deserves an opportunity to succeed.
To that end, Project 16:49 ensures access to the services and support these students need to remain in school, graduate and become self-sufficient adults.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
In 2007, two women of Asbury UMC started the Prayer Shawl Ministry with an invitation to anyone who could knit or crochet to join them in creating shawls which are then given as gifts of hope, comfort, healing, peace and love. Since then, we now have 6-8 women creating shawls and others who donate yarn.
These Shawls are available if you would like one or know someone who needs a warm hug and prayer. Shawls are available for members and friends to share when hospital and home visits are made.
This ministry blesses many–those who pray as they create, those who pray as they give and those who receive the warmth of our love and prayers.
Please just call the church office or stop in and pick one up.
Red Bird Mission
Red Bird Mission, guided by Jesus Christ, empowers individuals and advocates justice though spiritual, educational, health and community outreach ministries. The story of Red Bird is one of deep faith in God. Red Bird Mission was born in answer to prayer. It is a story of gracious outpouring of prayer and means by the church. Red Bird Mission was founded in 1921 in the southeastern corner of Kentucky to provide education and Christian evangelism ministries to residents of the area. The mission was started by the Evangelical Church on a small piece of property, at the confluence of Cow Fork and the Red Bird River.
The educational, health and spiritual outreach through the churches and schools of Red Bird Mission prospered as its denomination grew through mergers. The Evangelical Church and the Church of the United Brethren in Christ merged in 1946 to become the Evangelical United Brethren. In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church united with the Methodist Church to become The United Methodist Church. Local churches in the area were reorganized under the name of the Red Bird Missionary Conference in 1973. Red Bird Mission was recognized as an agency in the Red Bird Missionary Conference, and in 1975, Red Bird Hospital (later to be renamed Red Bird Mountain Medical Center) was incorporated separately and recognized as a separate agency. The community outreach ministries to the elderly and families of the community have grown to be a significant part of the overall ministries since the 1990's. The DeWall Senior Citizens Center started operations in 1991 and the Red Bird Elderly Housing apartments were opened in 1996.
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING
The Salvation Army bell ringing campaign is a vital fundraising effort that takes place from early November through Christmas Eve.
Volunteers are needed to ring bells at iconic red kettles, which help raise funds for various community services throughout the year.
UMCOR - UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF
Mission & Vision Statement:
The mission of the General Board of Global Ministries is to equip and transform people and places for God’s mission around the world.
Their four mission goals are:
- Make disciples of Jesus Christ.
- Strengthen, develop, and renew Christian congregations and communities.
- Alleviate human suffering.
- Seek justice, freedom, and peace.
Mission Services:
The result of a range of strategic conversations by staff and directors, the strategic plan was officially approved in October 2022. It enumerates operational touchstones and identifies 17 priority programs for the agency, reflecting one or more of four mission priorities:
▪missionaries
▪evangelism and church revitalization,
▪global health, and
▪humanitarian relief and recovery
YWCA – Rock County – Domestic Abuse
We need to work together to end the cycle of violence. 24-hour Helpline: 752-2583 or 800-750-7990
Alternatives to Violence Program, 1735 S. Washington St, Janesville WI 53546 Phone: 608-752-5445
Volunteers help us answer the crisis line, provide child care, help with office work and fill many critical program needs.. Call 752-5445
E-mail: avp@ywcarockco.com