Church-wide Missions

Monthly Missions - November 2025

Parfreyville

When a veteran or service member receives care at the VA, the last thing families should have to worry about is how to support their loved one during hospitalization. For many families, the VA Medical Center is hours from home, and it is difficult to predict how long a stay might be. Not only are there financial sacrifices with travel and lodging, but there can also be mental and emotional burdens as families seek answers and wait for results.

Fisher House hopes to lessen these burdens so families can focus on helping their loved one heal. The Milwaukee VA Fisher House is conveniently located on the Milwaukee VA Medical Center grounds and offers sixteen suites of varying layouts to accommodate single travelers or larger families at no cost to them. Designed with the interactions of guests in mind, guests experience the feeling of being home with a shared common kitchen, laundry room, dining room, living room, family room and a large patio and yard. Families share meals together and support each in their joys and sorrows.

Fisher House Wisconsin is a community partner aligned with the Fisher House Foundation (FHF), which built their first house in 1990. Today there are 90 Fisher Houses, located on 25 military installations and 40 VA medical centers in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Donations we collect as our Mission of the Month go to help keep this valuable service free for our military and their families. Having a family member with them can make a huge difference in the recovery and health of a military person being seen at the VA Hospital. A brochure says it well, “Because a family’s love is good medicine.”

Mitten Tree

The Mitten Tree will be up November 2nd. Bring mittens, gloves, scarves, and hats for the Northcott Neighborhood House in Milwaukee. The Northcott Neighborhood House is a multipurpose community center created by the United Methodist Church in 1961. They provide education, employment opportunities and necessities to youth, families, and senior citizens in the Milwaukee area. Sunday November 30th will be the last day for collection.

Waupaca Miracle Tree

The Miracle tree will be up Sunday November 2nd. The Miracle Tree is a volunteer organization that provides food and gifts to the families in our area that request help. Volunteers pack and distribute these boxes from donations given from the churches, businesses and families in the Waupaca area. Take a tag from the Miracle Tree for boy or girl and an age group. There is also a sheet for gift suggestions . Do not wrap the gift. Place your gift under the Miracle Tree no later than Sunday Dec. 7th.

Crystal Lake UMC

Food pantry items being collected are canned pasta products and 12 oz. plastic bottles of pancake syrup.

The last Sunday in November is UM Student Day. We will take a monetary donation for this.

The shoebox collection will be the 9th of November.

We will then start a collection of socks, underwear, hats, scarves, mittens and gloves for Northcott.

Thank you to all who give in any way possible. It matters to all who receive.

First UMC

Waupaca Learning Center Adopt-A-Family for Christmas

As our thoughts turn toward the holiday season; of turkey dinners, family gatherings and the sharing of goodwill; we know that it can be a stressful time for those who are just trying to make ends meet. Every year, the Waupaca Learning Center identifies families who are experiencing financial strain and could benefit from the kindness of others during the holiday season. Our congregation’s response was amazing last year so the many gifts purchased were shared with more than one family. This year we will be adopting two families, but the number of items will not be more than last year. Our first family has 2 young children and a baby due this month. Our second family has 3 young children (1 with special needs) and a baby due in November. (All names are withheld for privacy). We have been given a Wish List of items, including gas and grocery cards, toys and clothing (only new, please) for the children. All items can be purchased locally and will be gifted anonymously. Here’s how it will work: A tag for each item on the Wish List, including the child’s age and gender, will be hung on our Christmas tree in the sanctuary.

1) Take one or more tags and purchase the item(s).

2) Remove all price tags.

3) Box items that are not in packaging (with the exception of gas and grocery cards).

4) Do NOT wrap anything or attach a gift card.

5) DO attach the corresponding tag that you chose from the tree.

6) Bring your gift(s) to church by December 7th.

Monetary offerings will also be accepted and used to purchase items on the list. Write checks payable to FUMC with Adopt-A-Family on the memo line. Jesus is the reason for the season so with the Love of Jesus Christ in our hearts, let’s fill these families’ Christmases with Joy.

The Wish List tags that will be available on the tree.

Family 1 Gas or grocery cards.

4 yr old girl--Clothing sz 5. Barbie doll; accessories optional. Coloring book & crayons.

1 yr old boy---Clothing sz. 24 months. Two toys appropriate for age.

Baby girl---Diapers and wipes.

Family 2 Gas or grocery cards.

5 yr old girl---Clothing sz. 6-7. Barbie doll; accessories optional. Coloring book & crayons.

3 yr old boy---Clothing sz. 4T. Truck. Coloring book & crayons.

2 yr old boy (special needs)---Clothing sz. 3T. Fidgets. Learning toy.

Baby girl---Diapers and wipes.

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