Missions Purpose Ministry Team
The United Methodist Church supports missionaries on every continent except Australia. Grace has been designated as a Global Mission Partner Church by the United Methodist Church for its many forms of outreach to the community and the world.
Missions, one of the seven purpose ministries of Grace United Methodist Church, are mandated to alleviate suffering. The Ministry team at Grace supports financially and with time and effort many local mission fields. Through its connectional system, the United Methodist Church supports hundreds of missionaries.
Grace has selected five specific foreign missionaries or programs for additional financial support.
Connie Wieck
Connie Wieck is a United Methodist missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries serving in Luzhou, China teaching English under the auspices of the Amity Foundation. She teaches at the Luzhou Vocational and Technological College in the province of Sichuan. Connie’s students are college English language majors who will graduate after three years of study to become primary and middle school English teachers in the rural countryside.
Rev. David A. Markay and Rev. Kristin C. Markay
The Rev. David A. Markay and his wife Rev. Kristin C. Markay serve as pastors of the multi-cultural, English-language ministry of the Chiesa Metodista di Milano (The Methodist Church of Milan) in Italy.
Eugene and Rachel Muembo
Eugene and Rachel Muembo are in Sierra Leone, West Africa. She is a teacher and works with a computer center for women in addition to her teaching duties in the United Methodist elementary schools.
Dr. Muembo serves as a physician with the United Methodist Health & Maternity Center in the Kissy, Freetown. Dr. Muembo is a key member of the medical team, and together with his wife Rachel, provide a vital services to the community of Kissy.
Alaska Parish Partners and Lay Missioner in Lithuania are specific programs that receive financial assistance from the Grace congregation.
Local Mission Ministries
The Economy Shop
The Economy Shop, 965 N. Water, sells used clothing and household items, has a ‘Men’s Corner’ with items of general interest to men, such as tools and supplies for home repair, a large selection of books and children’s toys and games. Open on weekdays and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information, call (217) 423-3003.
GUM PARK After-School Program
Grace United Methodist Church is the corporate sponsor of GUM PARK, an after school program, Monday through Thursday. The purpose of GUM Park is to provide tutoring and activities for students in first through sixth grade in a Christian environment. For more information, contact Mel & Bev Stern, 362-0311 or visit www.gumpark.org
Operation Enduring Support
Operation Enduring Support (OES) is a faith-based group, supporting military personnel. OES meets every Monday, 7 pm, at Grace. All are welcome.
For more information, call 429-5374 or email graceumc@decaturgrace.org.
Cunningham Children’s Home
Located in Urbana, IL, Cunningham Children’s Home is a mission and ministry of the United Methodist Women of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference in partnership with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. www.cunninghamhome.org (217) 367-3728.
Dove, Inc.
General programs of Dove receive financial support from Grace. The Macon County Assistance eXchange (MAX) program receives specific support from Grace. MAX is a joint effort of area religious organizations to give monetary support to persons in the community who have emergency financial needs. For more information regarding all Dove programs, visit www.doveinc.org.
Good Samaritan Inn
The mission of The Good Samaritan Inn, Inc. (GSI) is to maintain a community program to serve nutritious meals to the hungry, economically disadvantaged. Meals are provided free of charge every weekday. On the weekend, except for the last Saturday of each month, area churches and service clubs provide the meals but serve at GSI, 543 N. Water.
On the third Monday of each month, Grace has a team of volunteers that prepare, serve and clean-up the meal. We assist in providing a service of worship during the Christmas and Easter seasons at Oasis, a day center for the homeless. For more information, contact Kathleen Taylor, graceumc@decaturgrace.org (217) 429-1455.
Dinner Downtown
Hosted at First United Methodist Church, this ecumenical mission provides a noon meal on the last Saturday of each month, free of charge, to anyone. In a restaurant environment, the patrons are served a hot, nutritious meal. There is a special program for children. For more information, contact First UMC, 201 W. Water, (217) 423-9711.
Support Group for Survivors of Suicide
Survivors of Suicide refers to those persons left behind when an individual deliberately chooses to end their life. This group, called Listening, Sharing and Caring (LSC) meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church. For more information, contact Steve Woodward, graceumc@decaturgrace.org.
Golden Cross Agencies
The following health and welfare agencies are under the Golden Cross umbrella. The congregation of Grace annually observes Golden Sunday with a special collection.
Alton Memorial Hospital (Alton, Illinois)
www.altonmemorialhospital.org (618) 463-7311
The Baby Fold (Normal, Illinois)
www.thebabyfold.org (309) 452-1170
Chaddock (Quincy, Illinois)
www.chaddock.org (217) 222-0034
Evenglow Lodge (Pontiac, Illinois)
www.evenglowlodge.org (815) 844-6131
Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House (East St. Louis, Illinois)
www.lessiebatesdavis.org/contact.htm. (618) 874-0777
Methodist Medical Center of Illinois (Peoria, Illinois)
www.mmci.org (309) 672-5522
Sunset Home (Quincy, Illinois)
www.sunsethome.org (217) 223-2636
United Methodist Children’s Home (Mt. Vernon, Illinois)
www.umchome.org (618) 242-1070
United Methodist Village (Lawrenceville, Illinois)
www.umvillage.com (618) 943-3347
United Methodist Village (Godfrey, Illinois)
www.unitedmethodistvillage.com (618) 466-8662
Wesley Village (Macomb, Illinois)
www.macomb.com/wesleyvillage (309) 833-2123
