Melissa Voss | Editor
But with the influence of COVID-19, Pastor Seth LaBounty had to get creative with how they can keep their annual mission project local.
Each year, the United Methodist Church in Hartford works on a mission project. Working alongside the United Methodist Committee on Relief, a global humanitarian aid and development organization of the United Methodist Church, kits and aid are provided to those who are in need such as refugees or victims of natural disasters. According to Pastor LaBounty, COVID-19 put a hold on their usual course of action in pursuing this project.
“Typically, our mission sends kits and aid to individuals and organizations in need outside of the Hartford community. We are encouraged to collect kits such as school supplies or hygiene kits. But this year with COVID, we have had to shift focus a little,” LaBounty states.
This shift comes about with the awareness that COVID-19 can spread through the transfer of these kits. So, the United Methodist Church has asked their parishes to keep this year’s project local.
“Instead of collecting supplies to go a whole bunch of places, because we do not want to send infected or contaminated supplies, the Committee has encouraged us to keep it local,” LaBounty says.
This year, the Hartford United Methodist Church is gathering school supplies for their local school district, West Central. Pastor LaBounty states that the church’s Missions Committee had contacted individuals within the school district to see if they would be interested in such donations, which the school agreed to.
The school then gave them a list of items that they are in need of for the school year: colored pencils, #2 pencils, markers, water paints, oil pastels, mixable paints (with tray for mixing), hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes. All members of the community are encouraged to donate and are able to do so during the church’s office hours, prior or following church services, or at a drop box located on the east entrance of the church off of Mundt Avenue.