Missions

At Maples, missions are supported in a variety of ways and by a wide range of age groups. As part of our United Methodist connectional system, we provide funding for outreach and ministry on state to world-wide levels. Hospitals, colleges, children’s homes, assisted living facilities, camps, and missionaries around the world are just part of what our “apportionments” and special offerings support. Locally we are involved in more hands-on ministries including:

• Olive Branch Food Pantry and Olive Branch Thrift Shop – Maples joins with other Olive Branch churches to provide materials and volunteer staffing for meeting the needs of the hungry and poor in our community.

• Maples Wednesday Night Meal Delivery (every Wednesday night during the school year) and Senior Meal Delivery (last Sunday of each month) – Volunteers deliver fellowship along with a hot, nutritious meal to older adults.

• Olive Grove Birthday Party – Once a month different groups (including children and youth as well as adult classes and UMW circles) host a birthday party for residents of the Olive Grove retirement facility.

• Habitat for Humanity – Maples members work on building crews, provide lunch for workers, and take part in local fundraisers to support the Hernando-DeSoto Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

• Kairos Prison Ministry – Maples provides volunteers for prison ministry teams and dozens of cookies and prayers in support of mission weekends.

• Knitting Group – Knitters meet each Sunday afternoon to make teddy bears for newborns in the congregation and for residents at House of Grace shelter for women and children and even for children in the Himalayas of India. Other knitting projects include chemo caps for St. Jude and prayer shawls.

• Angel Tree and Operation Christmas Child – A great way to teach children about the true meaning of Christmas is to involve them in sharing Christ’s love through shopping and preparing gifts for other children locally and globally. Our Angel Tree provides presents for children under the supervision of the Department of Human Services and Operation Christmas Child is part of Samaritan’s Purse International

• Youth Missions – Each year Maples Youth make missions part of their summer vacation. Projects have included Mt. TOP in Appalachia, United Church of Rogers Park in Chicago, and the community Food Bank in San Antonio. Additionally summers include community involvement ranging from stocking the local food pantry to helping at urban ministries in Memphis.