Article by Rev. Cliff Schell, WV Conference Celebration of Mission Event Coordinator
Following is a brief description of some of the ministries provided by the mission projects supported by both cash and tangible goods given through the Celebration of Mission Event (COME).
- HEART+HAND OUTREACH MINISTRIES operates a large thrift store in South Charleston, where hundreds of persons shop for clothing and household goods.
- NEW VISION DEPOT has a 6,000 square feet warehouse in Beaver stocked with critical supplies and materials needed to help survivors recover from natural disasters.
- EBENEZER COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER provides a safe and nurturing state licensed childcare and after school program in Huntington.
- HEART AND HAND HOUSE operates a thrift store in Philippi, a thrift store in Belington and the Barbour County Community Garden Market in Philippi, where local growers can sell their produce.
- THE HOUSE OF THE CARPENTER offers 50 different opportunities to assist persons in need in the Wheeling area, including a ministry to a Wheeling Island Elementary School, summer camps and providing basic necessities to over 1,300 persons per week.
- SCOTT’S RUN SETTLEMENT HOUSE, located in Osage, provides a food pantry, a baby item pantry and an extensive backpack feeding program for school children.
- TYRAND COOPERATIVE MINISTRIES, located in Mill Creek, is the most rural of the Conference Mission Projects and has an ecumenical Board of Directors across denominational lines. Tyrand has a bunkhouse that provides a shelter in times of emergencies, a community meeting place and excellent accommodations for visiting work team.
- UPSHUR PARISH HOUSE, located in Buckhannon, operates a thrift store and a food pantry. Assistance is provided for clothing, layettes, rent and utility assistance and backpacks with school supplies.
- GREATER CLARKSBURG COOPERATIVE PARISH is our only Church and Community Ministry in the WV Conference. Through its ecumenical Open Heart Ministries program it provides food, hygiene supplies, and assistance for rent, utilities and transportation.
- VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION (VIM) recruits, coordinates and directs mission work teams for construction and repair within and beyond the state, including a 2024 mission to Anchorage, Alaska.
These are only sketches of the many ministries performed by our Conference Mission Ministries supported by the Celebration of Mission Event. For additional information check out the COME Booklet, available online at the WV Conference website.