More than 300 children and adults departed church to serve in community gardens, nursing homes, impoverished neighborhoods, fire stations and women’s shelters as part of an annual mission event. Flower Mound United Methodist Church created Depart to Serve to send an army of volunteers into the community on one designated day each year to demonstrate faith in action.

“Our Depart to Serve volunteers learn about the ongoing mission work that we support all year long, and opportunities that exist for all ages and stages to participate in serving as Christ’s hands and feet,” says Senior Pastor Holly Gotelli. “As United Methodists, we believe that in response to God’s love and grace we fully and joyfully live out our faith in service to others.”

Mission projects took place in Flower Mound, Denton and Dallas as well as at FMUMC, which is building a new sanctuary slated to open early 2016.

Thanks to the efforts of event chair Monique Hill and a team of project leaders, Depart to Serve projects this year will touch the lives of thousands of North Texans. Mission work included:

• Making and taking notes of appreciation and snacks to the Flower Mound fire stations.
• Making blessing bags for the inmates at Texas’ Coffield Unit as part of the Kairos Prison Ministry.
• Assembling baskets for women and children at The Gatehouse at Grapevine.
• Picking up trash to support Keep Flower Mound Beautiful.
• Making donation cards for Ranch Hand Rescue.
• Visiting with residents in Flower Mound Assisted Living, Rosewood Assisted Living and Rambling Oaks Assisted Living.  
• Supporting the UMC North Texas Conference’s new initiative, the Zip Code Connection. Volunteers helped make repairs/improvements to a residential city block where concentrated efforts are underway to bring about generational change in one of two Texas zip codes. http://www.ntcmissionaloutreach.org/missional-outreach-blog/zip-code-project-takes-shape-to-lift-up-impoverished
• Planting and weeding in Shiloh Community Garden, which supplies its harvest to local nonprofits and low-income families.
• Providing a meal to the homeless in Ft. Worth.
• Hosting a snow cone party at the Ronald McDonald House in Dallas.  

The teams returned to the church to share their experiences at a celebration dinner presented by volunteers with entertainment provided by the FMUMC Youth Praise Band.

Flower Mound mother of two, Jennifer Reinhardtsen, helped lead the efforts at Shiloh Garden.

“Blessings were definitely flowing at the garden,” Jennifer said. “Praise God for the rain, for the bounty of food in the garden, and that we were able to harvest, weed and plant to help feed so many people.”

Flower Mound United Methodist Church, at 3950 Bruton Orand Blvd., welcomes visitors to its Sunday morning services at 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. and to participate in its family and youth ministry activities, music programs, long- and short-term Bible studies and mission outreach projects. Call 972-355-2711 or visit www.fmumc.org.