As United Methodists, serving the world is a cornerstone of what we believe. Our Social Principles affirm our commitment to peace, justice, human rights, and environmental stewardship. We are a global denomination, with a connectional structure linking United Methodist churches around the world. Mutual support and shared mission work is a cornerstone of our faith!
At Good Shepherd, in addition to supporting our worldwide connection through our annual conference apportionments, some ways we serve our world include:
We frequently raise funds or hold drives for needed items in support of UMCOR – the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Originally funded in 1940, UMCOR provides relief and assistance in response to natural and human-made disasters and has programs in the sectors of migration, health, food security, and environmental sustainability. UMCOR has an A+ rating from Charity Watch. In 2024, Good Shepherd raised $10,000 to go towards UMCOR responses after the Hurricane Helene and Milton disasters in the southeast United States.
Adults and youth serve through mission work across the United States and beyond. Beginning in February and ending in May, we support these mission volunteers through various fundraisers so that attending a summer mission trip is never a financial barrier for any family. In 2025, our youth age 11 and up will travel to West Virginia and Tennessee to serve in a variety of capacities.
Our congregation partners with Rise Against Hunger, a Good Shepherd favorite organization and mission opportunity! Rise Against Hunger is an organization that targets remote, last-mile communities with “serious”, “alarming”, or “extremely alarming” hunger pockets – these areas are hard to reach and have limited communication and infrastructure. In March 2025, Good Shepherd funded and packed over 10,000 meals for over $4,100. We had over 100 meal packers age 5 through 90+ spend the afternoon packaging meals that have been shipped to a remote area in the Philippines!
Our annual Pumpkin Patch sales support missions in our church and local community, but also does immeasurable good in Farmington, New Mexico. In a region that previously had 42% unemployment, our pumpkin suppliers grow 1,200 acres (2 square miles!) of pumpkins and employ 700 Navajo Native Americans during harvest months and a full time off-season staff comprised of entirely Native Americans. Our pumpkin patch returns a substantial portion of total sales to the Navajo farmers. Pumpkins – bringing hope to the our community and beyond! Watch for our patch to open annually from late September through October 31.