By Cliff Schell
WVUMC C.O.M.E. Coordinator
Through June 30, cash gifts to the 2019 Celebration of Mission Event total $104,022.92 given for the support of our WV Conference Mission Ministries!
The generous support of our local churches and individuals has enabled the distribution of $10,530 to each of our seven Conference Mission Projects and Volunteers in Mission, $5,265 to one Church and Community Ministry, and $5,265 to the New Vision Depot Disaster Response.
The COME funds also provided $8,952.92 to be invested in the West Virginia Conference Mission Projects Trust Fund (administered by the United Methodist Foundation) for the support of our Conference Mission Ministries.
In addition to the cash funds received, several loads of tangible goods were also brought to the COME District Gatherings and transported to the mission ministries. It is estimated that the cash value of donated goods totaled a minimum of $30,000.
The Conference Mission Projects supported by the Celebration of Mission Event (COME) are Heart + Hand Outreach Ministries in South Charleston, Ebenezer Community Outreach Center in Huntington, The House of the Carpenter in Wheeling, Heart and Hand House in Philippi, Scott’s Run Settlement House in Osage, Tyrand Cooperative Ministries in Mill Creek, and Upshur Parish House in Buckhannon.
The Church and Community Ministry receiving support this year is the Greater Clarksburg Parish, where Anna Troy has recently arrived as the new Church and Community Worker.
The New Vision Depot Disaster Response facility is located in Beaver and was added to the projects supported by the Celebration of Mission Event this year.
Volunteers in Mission has been one of the mission ministries receiving support each year.
Each district has one or more COME Coordinators who work diligently to raise these funds each year. We owe them our thanks and appreciation, along with each district office, local church, parish, organization and individuals across the scope of the WV Conference who have come to strongly believe in the work of our Conference Mission Ministries and the role the Celebration of Mission Event plays in their support.
COME gifts may be sent to the Conference Treasurer through December 31, when a second distribution of funds received since June 30 will be made. By absorbing administrative costs within the districts, we are able to distribute every penny given for the support of our Conference Ministries.