SERVE
SCVUMC is a service and missions church. We believe that God is working to bring abundant life for all people, and that we are called to join into that work to reflect love and hope for the transformation of the world. We hope you will join into the ministries that God is doing through us!
Border Ministry
For 20 years we have been in relationship with a public Arizona elementary school along the US Border. Each month, we drive 1.5 hours to deliver food assistance from the Sahuarita Food Bank to the school and its families. Throughout the year, we partner with school administration to assist with other needs, including school supplies, food and clothing, and Christmas gifts.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS: once/month we need 3-4 volunteers from 9am-1pm to drive to and from the elementary school to make delivery.
Economic Justice
For over 15 years we have partnered with Cafe Justo/Just Coffee, a Grower owned Coffee Cooperative based in southern Chiapas Mexico, formed to address the poverty and migration from Mexico to the U.S.A.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS: three/year we need people to share the mission of Cafe Justo with people they know and place an order of coffee.
Disability Justice
For over 6 years we have engaged in ministry with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We believe that all people are created in God's image and have sacred worth. We believe that it is vital to the body of Christ to celebrate and include the gifts of people of all abilities. We also believe that we are called to create a culture where people with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of worship, leadership, ministry, and mission.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS: once/month, we need volunteers to help approximately 3 hours with Friends Fellowship, a monthly Dinner Church worship service and craft, prep & serve dinner, set up and clean up.
LGBTQIA+ Advocacy
Our church, our programs, and our worship is open and affirming for all. We invite and welcome full participation in the life of our church: engaged worship, leadership positions, and sacraments of communion and marriage. We strive to honor preferred pronouns and invite people to announce their pronouns as they are comfortable. Our advocacy includes educating ourselves on policies and practices that negatively impact the LGBTQ+ community, being honest about the ways that the Church has caused harm, and joining in efforts to show solidarity and support. We also participate in Tucson Pride Parade and Festival.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS: as needed.
Pet Ministry
We support local efforts to ensure care for pets. Through donation collections and bagging events throughout the year, we provide dog and cat food to Sister Jose's Women's Shelter and Paws Without Borders. We also offer a yearly Blessing of the Animals service for the community.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS: dry dog kibble, dry cat kibble, 3 hours quarterly to help bag food into smaller bags, 2 hours quarterly to drive donations to Tucson.
MISSION & OUTREACH
Just Coffee/Café Justo Cooperative - Helping our neighbors help themselves (one pound of coffee at a time)
SCVUMC Mission: address the poverty and migration from Mexico to the U.S.A. by supporting the Just Coffee/Café Justo Cooperative
How is our Church helping & Why?
Café Justo/Just Coffee is the recent crop of family farm raised organic coffee beans in southern Mexico, roasted and shipped from the border town of Douglas the same week we make our order. We order coffee to enable small farmers to make a decent living for their families. As part of our mission outreach, SCVUMC places an order of Café Justo coffee 3 times a year.
Regular coffee is $10 & decaf coffee is $11 per pound (full 16oz), beans or ground, dark or regular roast. Delivery is in the spring, fall and after Thanksgiving.
Helping small farmers get a fair price for their organic coffee has been a mission project of SCVUMC for over 15 years. Consider ordering coffee for your church, for your worksite, or give a pound as a gift. Contact the SCVUMC church office (520-282-4085) for the next order date and to place an order.
A Direct Relationship in Mission
Do you know who grows the coffee beans for your morning cup of coffee? Do you know how old it is or when it was roasted? If you drink Just Coffee/Café Justo coffee, you do know. The farmer’s name is on every pound of coffee you buy and the date it was roasted. Just Coffee is about a more direct relationship between the coffee drinker and the coffee grower. We help small farmers make a sustainable living, one cup of fresh organic coffee at a time.
For more information visit www.JustCoffee.org
San Fernando Elementary School, Sasabe, AZ
Many years ago, SCVUMC began a Christmas gift ministry for all children at Sopori School in Amado. Over the years, that was expanded to include San Fernando Elementary School in Sasabe. Several years ago, it was decided to suspend the program at Sopori School but to continue with San Fernando. Starting with Christmas gifts, our involvement has grown to include providing school supplies at the beginning of the school year, providing professional school pictures for all the children, having Santa visit with gifts at Christmas, sponsoring a school field trip, giving Easter baskets to the children and participation in special activities at the school. Last year we asked members of the church to “adopt” a student and send cards and letters to the children. This has proved very successful and now, SCVUMC is firmly entrenched in the life of San Fernando Elementary School and our involvement has enriched the lives of all concerned. http://www.sanfernando35.org/
The Friends Disability Ministry
In 2019, we began Friends for Life, a ministry with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That ministry inspired the creation of Adventures with Friends, an Adult Disability Day Program on our church campus, owned and operated by Assure Healthcare Group of Arizona. Today our ministry has expanded and includes Adventures with Friends social fellowship program and Friends Fellowship, a monthly dinner church for high school and older with special needs and disabilities and their families.
Contact Assure Healthcare Group of Arizona to learn more about our Adult Disability Day Program, Adventures with Friends. 480-318-5076.
How is our Church helping and Why?
We believe that God has called us to be a safe space for all people. We believe that all people are created in God's image and have sacred worth. We actively strive to advocate for and be in ministry with people regardless of gender, status, race, beliefs, or abilities. Being a gathering space for people with disabilities is one part of our larger ministry.
