Local Missions

The goal of the Local Missions Committee is to encourage personal involvement in supporting local community service organizations that provide for the needy. By providing education, gathering resources and promoting volunteer recruitment we share Christ’s love our community in a tangible way.

Community Housing

Church of the Master is committed to developing our communities through improving housing situations for many of our area families. With this goal in mind, we seek opportunities to:

Work onsite as skilled or unskilled construction volunteers building or repairing housing projects
Help raise funds and awareness for agencies engaged in building our communities
Work within our communities as liaisons to between groups developing housing and those in need of homes

Disaster Preparedness

Part of our commitment to our community and congregation is to render assistance in times of disaster. We believe that hardships which affect one family affect us all. With this is mind, Church of the Master is developing action plans to deal with disasters and emergencies including, but not limited to:

Weather related situations such as blizzards, severe wind storms, and flooding
Fires
Domestic emergency’s which displace families
Financial emergencies

We anticipate needing volunteers to:

Coordinate calls and act as liaisons within the community and congregation to help those needing assistance
Donate money to alleviate financial emergencies
Store supplies and deliver supplies as needed
Provide onsite assistance such as clearing fallen debris, shoveling snow, flood damage clean-up

E.S.L. “English as a Second language” Tutoring

In the 2005-2206 school year, over one thousand students in the Westerville school district were tested and placed in the ESL program. Volunteers work with ESL teachers to help students with reading practice, writing, and vocabulary-building exercises. Volunteers typical work one hour a week. A one hour orientation by an ESL teacher is required prior to program participation. Tutors may join the program at any time.

New Life United Methodist Church Clothing Room

New Life, at 25 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus, serves families and individuals in Columbus’ Short North Area.

Church of the Master volunteers are primarily involved in New Life’s Clothing Room, open Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Other New Life ministries welcome volunteers too.

Onsite volunteers:

Transport donated items to New Life
Help sort donated clothing
Assist clients

Off site support includes:

Donating new or gently used clothing items as needs are specified
Publicity
Money donations

Web site: http://newlifeunitedmethodist.org/ministries_clothing_room.asp

NNEMAP (Near Northside Emergency Material Assistance Program)

Primarily a food pantry, NNEMAP is located at 3rd Avenue and High Street, serving 15,000 persons annually in the Short North area of Columbus. NNEMAP is an ecumenical program supported by 40 local churches.

Onsite volunteers:

Interview clients
Help clients make food selections
Stock shelves
Fill client orders
Make weekly pickups of donated items.

Off site support includes:

Money, food, and products donations
Serving on the governing board
Collecting or donating items for the annual Grooming Kit drive

Web site: http://www.nnemappantry.org/

YWCA Family Center

The Family Center, 900 Harvey Court, Columbus, provides short-term housing for homeless families. Other YWCA Family Center services include meals onsite, life improvement skills training, job information, and house-hunting assistance.

Church of the Master volunteers provide a bi-monthly evening meal for approximately 150-200 Family Center guests. Volunteers are needed to provide parts of the meal, cook portions of the meal, and help transport the food to the Center. Volunteers also serve the meal at the Family Center.

Web site: http://www.ywcacolumbus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=services_familycenter