The main mission of the church is to reach out to others.
We have the opportunity to look beyond ourselves and touch
the lives of those in need, both in our own community and
internationally. We, as Christians, are called to share our
blessings. Dayspring has many avenues in which we can express
our love and concern for others.
Connectional UMC Missions
Just as our American government is organized into cities, counties,
states and federal government, so our United Methodist Church is
organized by congregations, districts, conferences and the General
Church. We are a "Connectional Church." Together, every part of the
United Methodist Church contributes in a fair way to our local,
national, and global mission programs through a "tithe" called
benevolences. We also support global missions by Advance Special
Giving (identified as giving to selected projects) and by giving
to the United Methodist Committee of Relief (UMCOR). In addition,
our local UM Women and UM Men give to United Methodist missions.
A sampling of United Methodist missions would include church
colleges, seminaries, hospitals, children's homes, disaster relief,
and agricultural and medical missions.
United Methodist Outreach Ministries
UMOM coordinates urban ministries in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. They minister to the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of those around them. Some of their programs include the Food Bank, the UMOM New Day Center, a homeless shelter for families, children, and adults, and seasonal overflow shelters for homeless individuals. UMOM houses more homeless families than any other Arizona agency. Dayspring's journey in ministry with UMOM takes many forms - gifts, money, time, service and prayer. One of the primary, ongoing forms of support that Dayspring offers UMOM is through providing Sunday night dinners to the residents and staff. To assist with the coordination of these dinners or to provide food/service, please contact Carolyn Reid 480-961-9258. UMOM is located at 3320 E. Van Buren.
Would you like to help?
Here are some of the volunteer opportunities:
- Sunday Night Meals at the Main Campus
- Meals at the Overflow Shelter
- Meals at the Domestic Violence Shelter
- Christmas Angels
- Christmas Cards
- Birthday Parties at the Domestic Violence Shelter
- Donations
Sunday Night Meals
The UMOM Main Campus is located at 3320 E. Van Buren St. and houses approximately 350 men,
women and children. Dayspring provides the funds and man-power to prepare dinner at the
UMOM Main Campus every Sunday of the year, except the first Sunday of each month.
Volunteers arrive at the campus at 3:30 PM, prepare the meal at the Kitchen Manager’s
direction and serve the clients until 6:30 PM.
To volunteer contact Matt or Carolyn Reid at csreid1@cox.net.
Overflow Meals
The Overflow Shelter is located at 1120 W. Watkins (at 11th Avenue) and houses 140 single women
and 60 family members. Dayspring provides dinner for the clients a couple of times each month.
Volunteers arrive at 5:15, serve the meal and finish at 7:00. To volunteer, contact Carrie White
at waacwhite@cox.net.
Domestic Violence Meals
The Domestic Violence Shelter, located in East Phoenix, opened late February 2007.
Dayspring will provide meals a couple of times each month in the near future.
To volunteer, contact Carrie White at waacwhite@cox.net.
Wesley Community Center
WCC is a community-based program funded by the United Methodist Church
and various grants for the purpose of strengthening the political and
social environment of the South Phoenix community. Located at 1300 S. 10th St.,
WCC provides many self-help activities such as English classes, immigration
aides, recreational programs, food share projects, Vacation Bible School and
neighborhood renewal assistance. Campbell soup labels are collected at Dayspring
throughout the year enabling equipment and supplies to be purchased for the facility.
Food Drives
The Community Food Bank is a United Methodist presence that provides
emergency food aid to families in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.
Twice a year, a list is distributed to the Dayspring congregation
and food is collected for the bank, which serves over 1,000 people a month.
Milk Drives
Dayspring also has a Milk Drive, providing all of the milk needed for the
food bank. Powdered milk may be dropped off at our church on the fourth Sunday
of each month at the front green gate and is delivered to the shelter by Michael
and Janet Morgan 480-940-1939.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical, grass-roots,
non-profit housing ministry building homes on Christian principles in
partnership with limited income families who could never qualify for
home ownership on conventional terms. Basic work is done in five areas:
- family selection
- site selection
- construction
- public relations and fund raising
- administration.
Dayspring's involvement
ranges from money contributions to participation on all the committees.
This project recognizes the need for good, decent housing to bring hope,
dignity and new life to families in need. For more information, contact
Kris Schrade at 602-684-7765.
Tochimizolco Medical Work Team
Dayspring has been actively involved in Mission work to Mexico.
Every year a medical work team is sent to the tiny, mountainous
village of Tochimizolco, four hours southeast of Mexico City.
This work team has assisted the Methodist Church of Mexico and
the Board of Directors of Tochimizolco in establishing a permanently
staffed medical clinic and provides medical, dental, construction
and Bible school support. The work team encourages spiritual growth
for all those involved, educates and shares their experiences with
Dayspring, thereby promoting acceptance and understanding of another
culture, and confirms that God's love transcends all borders.
This program involves a covenant between three churches: Dayspring UMC;
Grace UMC of Olathe, KS; and the Mexican Methodist Church, Mexico.
We have built a loving and trusting relationship with our Mexican sister
churches and our goal is to enable the people of this area to become
self-sufficient in health care provision.
Over the years, the Dayspring website has featured a number of articles
describing the Tochi mission and its effects on both the inhabitants
of Tochi and the mission participants. To see these articles,
press the button:
Tochi
Tlancualpican Work Team
Our Tlancualpican work team participates in a program called AWARE.
The Methodist Church of Mexico founded a social outreach project in 1977
called "Give Ye Them to Eat" (GYTTE). GYTTE supports families through
- community development
- community and family health
- agricultural development
- livestock development
- church and faith development
- the AWARE program.
AWARE stands for "Alternative Workstudy and Reality Experience".
AWARE provides educational and work experiences for Mexican and
international visitors, volunteers, and teams raising their
awareness of the needs of rural Mexico and giving them opportunities
for service in response to hunger and poverty in our interrelated world.
The educational and work experiences focus on Mexico and rural reality,
appropriate technology, environmentally-sound livestock management,
sustainable agriculture, healthy living, creation stewardship,
development and Christian outreach. The AWARE Team Experience is a
cross between a jungle camp and a retreat. It is a time to reflect
on one's own lifestyle while experiencing a people and culture in a
village setting. To learn more about the Tlancualpican work team,
contact Larry Butler 480-345-0926.
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