Serve in the Community
Local and Global Mission and Outreach Committee
The Local and Global Mission Outreach Committee coordinates outreach, service, and advocacy in both our local community and around the world. All are welcome to join this ministry team and/or help with the important work of “Knowing Our Neighbors and Serving with Them.” If you’d like to get involved or simply learn more, fill out our volunteer form (link to form) to get started.
Action Sundays
The last Sunday of every month at Muhlenberg is an "Action Sunday!" Action Sundays are a way for the entire congregation to take part in a simple Thrivent Action Team project. Simply come to the Gathering Area at 9:45am on the last Sunday of the month to participate. All supplies are provided through grants from Thrivent Financial.
Recent Action Sundays have included:
Assembling "Celebration Cake Kits" for Church World Service and Foster Care families
Putting together “Welcome Baby” bags for gifting when a family in the congregation welcomes a new baby
Creating care packages for unhoused individuals in our community
Patchwork Pantry
One of our ongoing projects is a monthly collection for Patchwork Pantry, a local food pantry in Harrisonburg. Bring your non-perishable items on the first Sunday of each month and place them in the bin in the Gathering Area. The pantry is also in need of paper products (paper towels, wraps, food storage bags, toilet tissue, etc.), cleansers (dish, laundry, all purpose), diapers, and all types of hygiene products.
People Helping People
Since its inception in 1992, Muhlenberg has hosted People Helping People, an ecumenical crisis ministry of churches and faith communities serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. People Helping People is located at the “Ott Street House” and serves over 2000 families each year with utility assistance and other basic needs such as medicine, eyeglasses, and items to maintain employment.
Volunteers are trained to trained and equipped to interview clients, assess their needs, and help them obtain the necessary assistance.
Learn more about this ministry at https://phpharrisonburg.org/.
Second Home Learning Center
In 2007, the principal of nearby Spotswood Elementary School reached out to Muhlenberg with a concern about the number of children who were staying home alone while their parents worked. In response, the pastors rallied church and community members and local businesses, and they developed Second Home, a fully licensed before and after-school daycare center for elementary children in Harrisonburg, housed in Muhlenberg’s Activities Center.
Second Home’s primary focus is to serve homes where English may not be the first language and financial resources are limited. The program is staffed by caring educators and volunteers who provide daily snacks, academic enrichment, and assistance with homework. Best of all, no family is ever turned away due to financial need.
Volunteers are needed to give students individual help with reading, math, homework, creative activities or play outside.
Learn more about this ministry at https://www.secondhomelc.org/.
EV Chargers
Four Electric Vehicle chargers are installed on the side of the Muhlenberg Activities Center to serve our congregation and community. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular and affordable as a way of transportation that is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. However, one of the challenges that EV drivers face is finding a place to charge their vehicles when they are away from home. Installing EV charging stations in our church parking lot helps us better serve our community and our members, and helps to live out our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Find our chargers at https://www.plugshare.com/location/581061.
