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Do Good
During these unprecedented times, we have been able to “do good” beyond our church walls. Although we haven’t served together in person, we have continued serving as one church to support our mission partners and our community’s most vulnerable.
Mission Partners:
- Our Daily Bread | Donated 1,200 Chick-fil-A gift cards to guests every Thursday from March to April 30 to purchase a hot meal. Blessing bags were provided on Fridays, which included bug spray, sustainable food and personal hygiene items. Staff received masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. A donation was given to help offset the cost of catered meals to ensure we continued providing meals for our guests.
East Athens Community Development and The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia | Provided financial support to biweekly mobile food pantry to accommodate the demand for more resources to serve the community at large. - Family Promise | Helped with the cost of food and provided snacks for families during host week.
Frontlines:
- Piedmont Athens Regional (PAR) and St. Mary’s Health Care System (SMHCS) | Supported frontline healthcare workers by providing lunch from a local business to Piedmont Athens Respiratory Therapists, cookies delivered to PAR Transport, Operating Room, and Oconee Health campus. Provided 1,800 cookies for PAR hospital week and donated restaurant gift cards to PAR employees in need of food for their families. Provided cookies to every department at SMHCS, dinner to Emergency Room department, restaurant gift cards to help SMHCS on a as needed basis, and $5 cafeteria vouchers to all employees to purchase a food during their individual shifts
- Clarke County School District | Helped 12 families with students attending school in the Clarke County School District who were in crisis.
- Bethel Ladies Small Group | Connected virtually with our Bethel families. Sent cards with words of encouragement and a Chick-fil-A gift card for each family in our small group.
Above all, we have prayed for our community at large during these uncertain times. Thank you for all of your support and prayers for Athens First UMC Missions.
Kimberly Liebowitz |
Message from Director
In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Athens First UMC Missions will continue to serve the community's most vulnerable. We are partnering with community agencies, ministry partners, and the Clarke County School District to respond to the immediate needs of our neighbors. Although we aren't serving together in person, we are still serving as one church supporting our mission partners and neighbors in need.
I want to thank you all for your outpouring of love for our community. Because of your support, we have been able to serve beyond our church walls during these unprecedented times. We will notify you of any opportunities that arise to serve. In the meantime I will be praying for you all and our community at large.
Love Builds Community,
Kimberly Liebowitz
Opportunities to Serve
If you would like to make a contribution to help support our community above and beyond your tithe, OR if you are just visiting our website, her is how you can donate:
Give
Online
When giving online, designate "Special Missions" in the "Other" line. We will use contributions to purchase restaurant gift cards to ensure our community has an opportunity to receive a hot meal.
Check by Mail
AFUMC attn: Kimberly Liebowitz/Missions
327 N. Lumpkin Street
Athens, GA 30601
Sack Lunch Ministry | Every Sunday (Beginning July 12)
Emergency Response Team | As necessary
Mobile Food Pantry| Once a month
Our Daily Bread | Once a month
Family Promise of Athens (Formerly IHNA) | Once a quarter
Mission Trips
Regional Missions
Emergency Response Team
Early Response Teams are invited into a disaster area (after a disaster like a hurricane, tornado, or flooding) when it is determined that it is safe. Early Response Teams require specialized training, by the appropriate United Methodist annual conference disaster trainer. Trained Early Response team members will go out to a disaster area and are likely to serve in the following ways: removing debris, tarping roofs, "muck-outs", repair and rebuild tasks, and providing support for the community member(s) we are serving. There is an opportunity for all skill levels.
If you are interested in getting trained for our Early Response Team, contact Kimberly Liebowitz for more information.
Epworth by the Sea
Each year our Student Ministry travels to Epworth by the Sea to minister in that area and in the St. Simons community. This trip is a great opportunity for students who have not had a chance to serve in the mission field to participate in being the hands and feet of Christ.
Student Ministries | Epworth by the Sea
Athens First United Methodist Church serves around the world, focusing our Global efforts to touch the world with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.
You can be on one of two teams: the "Go Team" or the "Send Team."
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The Send Team provides needed prayers, supplies, and finances that enable the Go Team.
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The Go Team goes, and serves on the trip.
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Together we are One Team for the mission of Jesus Christ.
Contact Kimberly Liebowitz to talk about any of the international teams listed below, or to discuss how to serve in global missions.
Serving in Costa Rica
Since 1980, Athens First United Methodist Church has sent mission teams to work with the people of El Mirador, a village of Nicaraguan refugees, in Costa Rica. It is a great opportunity for parents and youth to be in mission together. While in Costa Rica, we build houses and community buildings with the people there. We play with the children and sometimes lead Vacation Bible School.
Costa Rica Methodist Rural Center
Contact: Kimberly Liebowitz | | 706-543-1442