We are privileged to serve the living God. We count it a responsibility and an honor to serve others as Jesus Christ served us. At St. Stephen, there are many opportunities for you to use your gifts to reach others.

Here is a short list of LOCAL MISSIONS that we support with our time and donations:

• Habitat for Humanity - as of March 2010, we have built 18 homes
• Room in the Inn ministry for the homeless - we are a host site every weekend from December through March
• CROP Walk against hunger - We have been the largest financial contributor in Charlotte
• Bethlehem Center - www.bethlehemcenter.org
• Charlotte Crisis Assistance Ministry - there is a bin in Holy Grounds Café (near the gym) where we collect clothing to donate. www.crisisassistance.org
• Center of Hope (Salvation Army Women and Children's Shelter) - we provide a meal at the shelter the second Thursday of each month. Click here for more information
  
• Friendship Trays - Charlotte-Mecklenburg's meals on wheels program. www.friendshiptrays.org
• Uptown Men's Shelter - we provide a meal at the shelter the second Monday of each month. www.MensShelterofCharlotte.org (Click here for more information and our Cowboy Stew Recipe. )
• Loaves and Fishes - www.loavesandfishes.org
• Red Cross Blood Drive - quarterly on a Sunday morning. See our calendar for the next scheduled blood drive.
• Shepherd's Center South - www.shepherdscentersouth.org

Beyond our local area, each year we send youth and adults on summer mission work teams with Appalachia Service Project (www.asphome.org) and YouthWorks! (www.youthworks.com).

With our budget, we support global missions through our denomination. Our money supports outreach projects, schools and colleges, social justice programs and other missions throughout the county, state, nation, and world. Over 30% of our budget supports missions.

Habitat for Humanity On September 25, 2010 we will begin construction on our 19th Habitat House! Our site is 500 Merancas Ct. in Matthews (2 lots from last year’s site!). The house is built and funded by the members of St. Stephen UMC. Already you will see ways to become involved in this year’s build. Sign-up boards are in the Narthex. Your dollars, time, and skills will all be gladly accepted! This year, several specific fundraisers are planned to raise money and awareness. The St. Stephen United Methodist Men are sponsoring a golf tournament on Saturday, September 18 at Charles T Myers golf course. Sign up on the board in the Narthex or email Kenneth Dowdle. We are also looking for hole and player sponsors. Download the sponsor form here for more information. Buy some delicious treats (and contribute some!) at our Habitat Bake Sale on Sunday October 3, planned by Helen Gibson and Karen Irwin. We will work each Saturday from September 25 until the house is complete. Some weekday skilled jobs will be needed, as well. Check the registration boards in the Narthex each week to follow the progress, plan upcoming jobs and needs and learn how to help. We are delighted to partner with Ryan Homes, St. Frances UMC and Central UMC in this effort.
Be a Blood Donor! Our next American Red Cross Blood Drive will be Sunday, Sept. 19, 8am–1pm in the Youth Ministry Center. Sign up by e-mail with Donna and Tony Taylor. Sign up sheets will be in bulletins and Sunday school classes. If you are not able to donate, you can still help by bringing food items for our café. Please contact Kathy Clarke to sign up to help. Youth at least 16 years old and 110 lbs can give with parental permission. Fall is a great time to be a part of this wonderful community outreach of St. Stephen.
		Treasure Sale On May 1, 2010 we held our third Treasure Sale to benefit missions. and raised over $8,500 for UMCOR Haiti relief. Click the logo or the underlined link to find out more about this mission event.

Brown meat and add chili powder, salt/pepper. Add corn, beans and tomatoes. Do not drain vegetables. Cook until rice is done and stew is very hot. There are always pans in the kitchen as we recycle them...so help yourself. A lot of folks double this recipe as the single one doesn’t fill the pan. Your brownies are always a wonderful treat but during the ride to the shelter sometimes the frosted ones end up with more frosting on the foil than on the brownies. We’d love to frost them when we get there if you would bring the frosting “on the side.” As always thanks for making this happen each month.