In Service

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8 NRSV.

We are all called. We are all called to make a difference. We are all called to make a difference in our local community, our state, our nation, and throughout the world. Some will go in response to this call. Many of our adults and youth are actively involved. Others provide support in many ways. Together we all can make a difference.

At Home

Highlands United Methodist Church cares about the community. As needs arise, our church family responds quickly, whether it is after school treats through the Literary Council or school supplies for the Highlands School. In the past year local contributions have been made to Big Brother/Big Sister, the Highlands School, the Emergency Council, Habitat for Humanity, and the Peggy Crosby Center for Non-profit service. This summer, teams from Highlands UMC will participate in the CROP Walk for hunger and Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.

The Food Pantry Ministry is a joint service to the Highlands Community by CentroDeAmigos (The International Friendship Center) and Highlands United Methodist Church. The is open on Mondays at 3:30 PM.

In Our Nation

The Highlands UMC supports the ministry of the Waynesville District in reaching out to migrant workers in the Bryson City/Silva area. We also support many Conference ministries such as the Givens Estates for retired and nursing care in Asheville, UMAR (The United Methodist Agency for the Retarded), the Family Restoration Program in Franklin (an agency of the United Methodist Church Children's Home). The Potato Project of the St. Andrews Society and Heifer International.

The Family Restoration Program

This ministry, an agency of the United Methodist Children's Home, serves children and families in Western North Carolina. It is based on the belief that all families have qualities worth nurturing and strengths on which to build. A range of services assist in building relationships and promoting healthy family life. With appropriate intervention, guidance, and support, children and their families can experience healing and restore relationships. The goal of the Family Restoration Program is to work with families to restore health and healing to their lives.

The Potato Project

This nation-wide produce salvage program provides direct relief to the hungry while addressing one of hunger's major causes, food waste. The Potato Project is a produce salvage operation that delivers food to the poor and hungry of our country. Through the Society of St. Andrew, produce that would otherwise be dumped or left in fields to rot, is instead gleaned by volunteers, growers, and distribution agencies. By contributing to the ministry of the Society of St. Andrew, food that would otherwise wasted, can be used to feed hungry children.

Heifer International

Heifer International combats hunger, alleviates poverty, and restores the environment by providing appropriate livestock, training, and related services to small-scale farmers world-wide. Heifer Project animals offer hungry families around the world a way to feed themselves and become self-reliant. Children receive nutritious milk or eggs. The family can earn income for school, health care, and housing. Farmers learn sustainable, environmentally sound agricultural techniques.

And Around the World

The Mission Society of the United Methodists

Joel and Mary Lee Duggins and their children, Andrew, Luke, Hannah, Ruslan, Lydia, and Albina, serve as missionaries in Kazakstan. Since March, 1994, the Duggins have dedicated their lives to church planting and leadership development. An Elder in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference, Joel is president of the Central Asian Evangelical School of Theology in Karaganda which offers training, pastors, and missionaries.

The Bolivian Mission

The Bolivian Mission is a local outreach program that shares the good news of the Gospel by meeting the needs of medical care, shelter, clothing, and food in the area of Montero, Bolivia. Medical mission teams have conducted medical clinics, laboratory work, and dental clinics. Medical equipment has been acquired and installed. Instruction and training are accomplished in each area so the work continues after the Medical Mission teams leave. Construction Mission projects have included work at the Girl's Orphanage and the construction of a Boy's Foster Home.