“We hear about things that are happening across the world. There are people right in our neighborhood who have needs. At Zion, we are doing things for people across the street,” said Connie Sherwood, a member of the Mission Team at Zion UMC.

Photos from Facebook.

In one month, schools will be back in session, welcoming students to a new academic year. Zion United Methodist Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, provides back-to-school supplies, shoes, and cash for Viking Elementary School, located across the street from the church.

“Things are tough for public schools. Federal funds are being cut. Churches are stepping up to do what they can. We are reaching out to our neighborhood school,” said Connie Sherwood.

Sherwood, a retired educator, shares that there is an economic need at Viking Elementary School. Members of the congregation raised $2,000 at a dessert auction for the school.

“The funds will be used for whatever is needed,” said Connie. “A dessert auction is fun. We have a history of high bidders. We used to hold a dessert auction for youth in our church. I recall bids reaching as high as $450 for a single cake or pie. I remember paying $100 for a small bag of puppy chow snack mix.”

Loren Hoheisel,Viking Elementary principal, accepts the donation from Connie Sherwood, Zion UMC Mission Team.

At the recent dessert auction, there were 50 desserts. The auction took place at a potluck lunch after worship on Sunday.  The auction items included a three-layer German's Chocolate Cake, pumpkin bread, and cookies.  

“People are generous. Grace Yi, the wife of Rev. Chang Yi, made Korean candy. That was a favorite and high bid item,” Connie shared. “The cash from the dessert auction is one way we help Viking Elementary. We also gather school supplies and do a shoe drive.”

In August, congregation members will purchase school supplies for Viking Elementary. Shoes will be gathered at some point during the school year.

“We work with the school social worker to provide what is needed for school supplies and shoes. We work with several other churches to pack food in backpacks for students each weekend,” stated Connie. 

Zion UMC Mission Team is reaching out to Grand Forks this summer through a Pop-Up Garden Stand. Members of the congregation were asked to plant an extra row of produce to share and invite other gardeners they know of to grow an additional row. The garden stand will be open to the public twice a month, from July through October, at 5:00 p.m. Volunteers will set up the stand and distribute the produce. 

“It is a simple way to reach people in the neighborhood and throughout the community,” Connie said.

There are six people on the Mission Team at Zion. They promote and plan activities throughout the year. At Christmastime, they are planning a new activity, the Christmas Market. 

“We have some artists in our congregation—a weaver, a potter. The idea is to showcase their work, offer items for sale, and give away some of the proceeds,” describes Connie. “We are always looking for new ways to reach out.”

How will your congregation reach out? Partnering with agencies in your community and state is a place to start. During the Laity Session of the 2025 Dakotas Annual Conference, discussion and presentations centered around forming a partnership in your community. The Great Plains Food Bank of North Dakota and Feeding South Dakota shared ways to be in ministry with people facing food insecurity. Binto Diao, Program Manager for International Disaster Response at UMCOR, shared with attendees some of the current global challenges that UMCOR is helping to address. View the Laity Session.

If you are looking for resources, reach out to Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Global Ministries is the mission and humanitarian assistance agency of The United Methodist Church. Global Ministries leads The United Methodist Church in equipping, strengthening, and transforming people and communities for God’s mission around the world.