Mission & Outreach
We believe that faith is lived out in action. God calls us to use our time, talents, and resources to reach out to those around us and help those in need in our local community, our nation, and our world. As a congregation we participate in many projects on a small and large scale that grow out of our love for our neighbors and for God. Whether it be our annual Sunday School mission project, community and family support through our Good Samaritan fund, donations of time and resources to the Del Valle Head Start School, or one of our global mission trips, we seek to do all we can to live into God’s dream for the world.
THE BIG SERVE: Change the World
Coming May 3 to May 5, 2024!
Join us for a weekend full of putting our faith into action! Choose your own adventure in serving by selecting a project (or two!). Projects will be occurring on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Each project has a team leader who will guide you in activities for all ages and abilities. Projects include yardwork, making blankets, creating plarn, writing cards, building and assembling structures, sorting in a warehouse, and feeding people – there is something for everyone! A full list of project descriptions and registration is available below.
On Sunday, May 5, we will worship at one service at 8:30AM and then serve from 9:30AM to 11:30AM. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn something new and being a part of changing the world for the better!
Everyone is welcome to come and serve! Click the link below to sign up online or sign up on a clipboard in the entrance to the church. Questions can be directed to Rev. Sherry Steele at sherry.steele@plainfieldumc.com.
Community Hunger Relief through Food Pantries
Our congregation currently supports two local food pantries.
The Ridgewood United Community Pantry is a joint ministry of the Joliet Cluster of United Methodist Churches, along with community support. Open every week on Wednesdays from 1PM to 3PM, it serves needy people in the 60432 and 60433 zip codes. Normally, PUMC takes a team of volunteers on the 4th Wednesday of each month to set up and serve clients from 11:30AM to 3:00PM. Join us at the East Joliet Fire Station at 409 Leach Avenue, Joliet, IL. We also collect monetary, food, and supply donations throughout the year. If you would like to donate, please drop off items in the collection bins located in the first floor stairwell at PUMC. Checks can be sent to the church office made out to “Ridegewood United Community Pantry.”
The Plainfield Interfaith Food Pantry was founded in 1990 to provide assistance after the Plainfield area was devastated by a tornado. Today, they continue to provide food and other basic household items (diapers, toilet paper, school supplies, etc.) to local families and individuals who cannot otherwise afford them. To donate to this pantry, you may drop off items in the collection bins located in the first floor stairwell at PUMC.
Justice through Witness, Equality and Love (JWEL)
JWEL (Justice through Witness, Equality and Love) is a social justice-centered group that focuses on putting our faith in action by mobilizing the congregation to reach out to all our neighbors with love and radical hospitality. Projects include participation in the CROP Hunger Walk, involvement with Northern Illinois JFON (Justice for Our Neighbors) and RMN (Reconciling Ministries Network), hosting prayer stations, small group studies, and more! We also have a Facebook group in addition to our e-mail list for communication and planning. We’d love for you to join us!
Join us in making a real difference.