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Outreach Ministries challenge and educate us to live the gospel as we are called to proclaim through acts of love and grace to the least and the lost in our neighborhoods. Outreach ministries are community based and supported by GCUMC. Our human and financial resources work together for Christ’s mission in a crazy world. The folks at GCUMC are very involved in local needs, regional challenges, and global initiatives. Please join us in our joyous work; in the United Methodist Church, all are welcome.
Please see some of our efforts below and consider prayerfully where you may be called to help. While everything we do from VBS to Kairos Prison ministry are all outreach, this is just a partial listing.
“Closet of Hope” collects and distributes new or gently used clothing to people in need. Sizes range from infants to adults. All clothing is offered free of charge, although we may limit the amount of clothing per person.
Several years ago, Gulf Cove United Methodist Church launched Our Journey of Hope® Cancer Care Ministry, providing support for men, women, and families fighting cancer.
Englewood Helping Hand is a community-supported social services agency that provides short-term assistance to Englewood residents, including residents of the Gulf Cove, Rotonda, Placida, and Grove City areas of Englewood. Englewood Helping Hand is located on the grounds of the Englewood United Methodist Church
Each year our hearty team at Gulf Cove UMC tries to put together a team for the Apostle’s Build. Things became a little too fluid during the pandemic, yet as Christians we are resilient. If we can’t provide a whole team, our folks still volunteer where available
Once a month, a group of volunteers from Gulf Cove UMC bring cheer and companionship to the residents of Inglenook. The facility, which is located on Pine Street in Englewood, serves about sixteen ladies. Volunteers participate by helping the ladies play BINGO. You would be surprised how a BINGO game can make someone’s day. Of course, the donated prizes add some spice to the game. Oh, did I mention the homemade cookies? How can you have a party without homemade cookies?
Kairos is another derivative weekend retreat dating back to 1976. Kairos is now active in 35 states and in nine countries. The ministry is active in over 300 ministry sites and 62 Kairos Outside ministries for women whose sons and husbands are in prison.
Gulf Cove members join on mission trips to Cuba, bearing as many gifts as are permitted. Those gifts include toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, over the counter medicines, funds for things like bicycles to get around, and the most prized water purification systems.
Several of the women who have made the mission trips over the years, left all their clothing for happy recipients in Cuba – that’s right, they were so moved that they left Cuba for home with only the clothes on their back, happy to be able to share.
Agape Flights out of Venice, Florida has been a most courageous and generous partner. Getting things into Cuba is an artform.