World Missions

International missions complement our local outreach efforts. Each year, St. Paul's sends work teams of lay members to churches in the Caribbean, West Africa or Appalachia to assist in church or school construction projects. The Commission on Missions coordinates this activity, as well as St. Paul's support for a variety of United Methodist missionaries in the U.S. and abroad. The Commission also invites missionaries to visit the congregation and participate in church services when they are in our area. Past and present missionary teams include:

Nan McCurdy Mitchell, Nicaragua

Red Bird Mission, Kentucky

Ludhiana Christian Medical College, India

The African Village Pastors Institute, West Africa

The Mountain Way Craft Shop

The Mountain Way Craft Shop has been at St. Paul's for more than 20 years, selling crafts from the Red Bird and Henderson Settlements in Kentucky. All proceeds from the shop go directly to these important mssion projects, which depend upon our support.

The shop is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sundays between services. Also, we will open the shop if you will call (301) 933-7933 or send email.

Missions in the Community

At St. Paul's, we see local outreach as a vital part of our spiritual growth. The Commission on Church and Society coordinates our activities in this area, which reach throughout Montgomery County, Maryland. Working with other groups in the church and with local community organizations, our goal is to find ways to help the less fortunate - the hungry, the poor, and those suffering due to a disaster. To do this, we support:

Bethesda Help - a 24 hour Hotline, (301)294-4888, providing emergency food, clothing, furniture and household items, as well as financial assistance, transportation to medical and social service appointments and information and referral.

Community Ministries - A consortium of Montgomery County churches organized as an advocacy group to deal with local and international issues of justice and peace.

A coalition of local churches providing housing and support services for needy families.

Shepherd's Table - A soup kitchen located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Stepping Stones - An emergency shelter for families and women.

Portions of the annual budget and special collections at Christmas and Easter support these activities. In addition, each year we look for more direct ways to become involved-providing overflow shelter for the homeless, organizing food and clothing drives, and providing fellowship for needy children and shut-ins.

Other yearly projects include the Hunger relief Drive at Thanksgiving, the Angel/Star Tree to provide presents for children of prisoners and others at Christmas and an Alternate Gift Bazaar in early December which allows us to purchase items mad by native crafts-people around the world.