Affordable Housing Ministry Team
The Affordable Housing Ministry Team seeks ways to bring awareness to the problem of lack of affordable housing for the most vulnerable including the homeless and those needing to secure housing on limited incomes. At present, approximately 4000 affordable housing units are needed in the Fox Cities area. Secure housing helps children feel safe, doing better in school. It helps stabilize job situations, keeping people employed, in better physical and mental health. Lack of secure affordable housing affects us all. From awareness, our hope is to bring appropriate actions to help. As a faith community, what is God asking us to do?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Affordable Housing Project
Volunteers Needed Now for Habitat Rehab
Construction has begun at the Habitat for Humanity rehab house our church is sponsoring at 419 W. Summer Street!! A group from First Church was able to supply a hearty lunch in early December for the specialized work crew that was on-site that day.
We have received a schedule from Habitat for Humanity for providing additional meals and doing construction support at the Summer Street house. We have 10 days in mid-January to mid-February where we can provide meals and/or do construction work.
Here are the details:
Day/Date |
Meal Count |
Construction / Slots |
Tue, Jan 9 |
10 * |
Trim Finishing – 8 slots * |
Wed, Jan 10 |
10 * |
Trim Finishing – 8 slots * |
Thurs, Jan 11 |
8 * |
Trim Finishing – 4 slots * |
Fri, Jan 12 |
12 |
Painting – 8 slots |
Sat, Jan 13 |
12 |
Painting – 6 slots |
Tue, Jan 16 |
None |
Painting – 6 slots |
Wed, Jan 17 |
11 |
Cabinets/Trim – 3 slots |
Thurs, Jan 18 |
11 |
Cabinets/Trim – 3 slots |
Tue, Jan 23 |
11 |
Cabinets/Trim – 3 slots |
Wed, Jan 24 |
11 |
Finish work – 3 slots |
Fri, Feb 16 |
6 |
No support needed |
Sat, Feb 17 |
None |
Finish/Clean Day – 6 slots |
* At Habitat Warehouse - 1100 Wittmann Dr., Menasha
If you are interested in helping to provide a meal on one or more of the days indicated, please contact Shelby Knezel at 920-734-1001 (home), 920-450-4525 (cell), or email at jk1116@sbcglobal.net
If you are interested in providing construction support, Habitat has set up a special sign up page on their Volunteer Hub at the link below. If you haven't used Volunteer Hub before, you'll need to create an account and add some information and sign a waiver. Make sure you sign up for the Crew Member role on the day you are interested in serving. Please try to sign up at least two weeks prior to the selected date.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Shelby Knezel (above) or Richard Dodge (920-216-6842).
Volunteers in Mission (VIM)
The Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team is a group of adults who travel once a year, in the fall, for a week to do mission work. If you would like to find out more information about the next adult mission project, contact Donna Frick dfrick47@new.rr.com.
Mission Ministry Team
Join the team that focuses on supporting those in need in our communities, across our local, national, and global demographic. Join others to prepare a meal at the Emergency Shelter, organize a food collection for the food pantry, or share your skills with Habitat for Humanity, and more. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, please contact Chris Hartman cdmhart@sbcglobal.net.
Evangelism & Outreach Ministry Team
Join this newer team as we reach out to the people of our neighborhood. This group will only meet a few times a year, and will do 2-4 walks/ giveaways a year. We have given away hot chocolate at the Christmas Parade and have given food out at Oktoberfest. If you are interested, contact Pastor Hae –Jeong HJYoon@appfumc.org.
Connectional Missions
Through The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) we are in mission with God’s people here in Wisconsin, in the United States and around the globe. We have sent boxes of supplies to Russia and Sierra Leone, raised funds to help eradicate malaria as part of Imagine No Malaria, shared in relief efforts for victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. Through the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) we provide on-going support to Gwen Gibson, a missionary who serves as an educational specialist with The United Methodist Mission in Senegal, Africa.
Hands-On Ministry
Are you looking for ways to live out your faith by serving those in need in our local community? Does your employer offer time-off to participate in volunteer activities? Each month First Church will provide opportunities for anyone to participate in hands-on volunteering opportunities throughout our local community.
Adult Mission Trip
Volunteers in Mission (VIM) usually travel in the fall for a week of mission work. In 2018 the VIM team went to UMC Pine Lake Camp in Wisconsin where we worked on the camp grounds, and buildings. If you would like to find out more information about the next adult mission project, please contact the church office.
Concern and Action Ministry Team
The Concern & Action Ministry Team puts faith into action through programs to address social and cultural challenges, including: poverty, discrimination, mental illness and environmental stewardship. Through local mission work and education, we strive to incorporate John Wesley’s three simple rules, including 1. Do no harm, 2. Do good, 3. Stay in love with God. Our ministry team is focused on spreading God’s love in our community and congregation while demonstrating Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors to all people.