Missions
The following organizations receive financial support from First UMC. We strive to maintain ongoing relationships with these ministries and the people they serve. Please refer to the church bulletin, events page, or contact the church office to learn about hands-on mission and outreach opportunities with these mission partners and others.
Local Missions
BETHESDA MISSION
Bethesda Mission provides shelter, clothing, food, and other services to the homeless in Harrisburg. Their vision is the Rescue, Redeem, and Restore in the name of Christ.
Read an update on Bethesda Mission's activities and needs at https://firstumchershey.churchcenter.com/pages/bethesda-january-2026.
Read an update on Bethesda Mission's activities and needs at https://firstumchershey.churchcenter.com/pages/bethesda-january-2026.
Bethesda Mobile Mission Update
There have been several changes to the locations for those without homes these past few months, and Bethesda Mission has continued to reach out to those in need. The Greenes are still accepting donations of blankets, warm coats, hats, gloves, sterno and batteries for those without on the streets of Harrisburg for these cold winter months. Contact them at 717-579-4786 to donate.
HERSHEY FOOD BANK
Hershey Food Bank is a volunteer organization that provides management and oversight of funds, supplies and donated items for the social ministry for Derry Township residents.
Hershey Food Bank is a volunteer organization that provides management and oversight of funds, supplies and donated items for the social ministry for Derry Township residents.
The Thanksgiving distribution at the Hershey Food Bank served 191 Derry Township families this year. Still needed are the small cans of vegetables, especially mushrooms, and boxes of spaghetti. Size 5 & 6 diapers and six packs of 4oz applesauce cups are needed by our families with young children. Thank you to all who have been donating each week.
LOVE, INC (Greater Hershey Area)
Love, INC of Hershey is a local chapter of a national organization uniting the resources of multiple local churches to provide support and direction to community people in need.
Mission ROCS will be collecting the following items for the Love INC Personal Care Closet during the month of February: Bar soap, body wash, feminine hygiene regular tampons. Look for the collection bin in the Narthex.
Mission ROCS will be collecting the following items for the Love INC Personal Care Closet during the month of February: Bar soap, body wash, feminine hygiene regular tampons. Look for the collection bin in the Narthex.
Requests for rides to medical appointments or other essential needs have increased dramatically recently. Many requests come from individuals who cannot take People Mover. If interested, please call the Love INC office at 717-835-0101. Thanks for considering!
National Missions
MISSION CENTRAL, Mechanicsburg PA
Mission Central is the mission warehouse affiliate of the Susquehanna Conference of the UMC located in Mechanicsburg that provides resources and logistical support for disaster response, mission outreach, and mission education.
Since 2002, Mission Central has existed to connect God’s resources with human need – locally, nationally, and around the world. Through partnerships with more than 200 organizations, they supply essential resources to those providing humanitarian aid and critical care. From flood recovery efforts to school supply distributions, or medical equipment, they are ready to respond wherever and whenever needed.
Mission Central is the mission warehouse affiliate of the Susquehanna Conference of the UMC located in Mechanicsburg that provides resources and logistical support for disaster response, mission outreach, and mission education.
Since 2002, Mission Central has existed to connect God’s resources with human need – locally, nationally, and around the world. Through partnerships with more than 200 organizations, they supply essential resources to those providing humanitarian aid and critical care. From flood recovery efforts to school supply distributions, or medical equipment, they are ready to respond wherever and whenever needed.
RED BIRD MISSION AND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Red Bird Mission is an institution of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Ministry in the heart of Kentucky's Appalachia that seeks to provide spiritual, physical, educational and economic needs for people without opportunities and struggling to live day by day.
Red Bird Mission is an institution of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Ministry in the heart of Kentucky's Appalachia that seeks to provide spiritual, physical, educational and economic needs for people without opportunities and struggling to live day by day.
Global Missions
MEGAN GINDER MELICHAROVA*
United World Mission
Prague, Czech Republic
Megan is the leader of discipleship programs in the local Czech church; also involved in outreach programs for young adults who have grown up in a predominantly atheistic country.
*A daughter of First UMC
NATHAN BURKE
Romania Without Orphans
Iasi, Romania
United World Mission
Prague, Czech Republic
Megan is the leader of discipleship programs in the local Czech church; also involved in outreach programs for young adults who have grown up in a predominantly atheistic country.
*A daughter of First UMC
NATHAN BURKE
Romania Without Orphans
Iasi, Romania
Nathan, a native of York, moved to Romania in 2001 to work with orphans. He is part of a ministry called “Romania Without Orphans”, which is under the umbrella of “Co-Mission for Children at Risk”, an organization in Mount Joy. Nathan's vision is comprised of two points:
- to be a father to the fatherless and to be part of a movement to empower Romanian believers
- to care for orphans. Nathan serves on the Romania Without Orphans movement's core team with a focus on training and supporting families to help children who have experienced trauma.
JAMAICA MINISTRY
Support for the restoration and maintenance of Watsonton Methodist Church to encourage the spiritual education and well being of the children and members of the Lionel Town, Jamaica community.
RAISING HOPE, INC. – UKRAINE
A registered 501c3 nonprofit, Raising Hope provides Christ’s love and hope to orphanages and other institutions, children, and families in need in Ukraine through various means of support.
A registered 501c3 nonprofit, Raising Hope provides Christ’s love and hope to orphanages and other institutions, children, and families in need in Ukraine through various means of support.