Shady Grove's Mission Committee is working hard to do God’s work in our community as well as throughout the world. Our goal is to bring our church’s light and promise of Christ’s love to those in need. We ask that you remember that Christ teaches us to go out and be “fishers of people” as well as to care for those who find themselves in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves.

Season of Love - February 22-March 15

This Lent, you’re invited to put faith into action by sharing Christ’s love through hands-on service in our community and beyond.

This is what we are calling our Season of Love! Our Season of Love offers simple, meaningful ways for all ages to serve.

Service opportunities will take place on and off campus.

Each week highlights one of our church’s four mission areas:

Week 1 – Homelessness

Week 2 – Food Insecurity

Week 3 – Children and Schools 

Week 4 – Global Missions

Whether you’re able to serve once or throughout the season, your participation can make a real difference.

Season of Love Registration Opportunities Coming Soon!

Youth Mission Trips and Activities 

Mission opportunities are a vital part of the Shady Grove UMC Youth Ministry. The largest part of our youth missions are our summer mission trips. Other youth mission events have been packaging meals for Rise Against Hunger, collecting items and packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, putting together UMC Healthcare Kits, CARITAS and many other community outreach activities.

Global Missions

Shady Grove supports missionaries and mission efforts around the world. Visit the the Global Missions page for more information.

Shineforth (formerly UMFS) 

Shady Grove is involved with Shineforth for various projects throughout the year, such as back-to-school backpack collection for students, painting of cottages, providing Christmas gifts and gift cards, and more. 

Rise Against Hunger

At Rise Against Hunger, we target remote, last-mile communities within hunger pockets designated “serious” or higher on the Global Hunger Index, which are the hardest places to reach and are often difficult to access, lack communication and have poor infrastructure. With the support of our global impact partners, we practice locally-led development by providing expertise vital to empower local communities and providing meals through local schools to incentive attendance and enable kids to obtain an education. Our work starts with a meal. Shady Grove UMC partners by hosting a meal packaging event annually.

Shalom Farms

Come Dig in the Dirt! Shalom Farms is a regional food security, community development project of United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond (UMUMR). And Shalom Farms is a non-profit community farm project with the goal of helping low income inner city neighborhoods in Richmond with food security. SGUMC regularly sends a team of volunteers.

Feed More

Feed More collects, prepares and distributes food to our neighbors in need across 29 counties and 5 cities in Central Virginia. Feed More’s comprehensive programs, and network of more than 400 nonprofits, partner agencies and distribution sites help ensure neighbors have access to healthy food they need. Shady Grove is actively involved in food collection efforts and Meals on Wheels delivery.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is an nonprofit Christian organization committed to eliminating substandard housing through the rehabilitation and building of simple, decent homes for those in need. Habitat works in partnership with qualified families and community volunteers, including businesses and organizations, to build and sell houses with non-profit, interest free mortgages. Shady Grove is proud to be a part of this effort. Volunteer opportunities include working on a construction site, in the Restore and recycling opportunities.

Congregations Around Richmond Involved to Assure Shelter

For those living on the streets, CARITAS is a haven of safety, providing food, shelter and social needs to individuals and families who are experiencing a housing crisis. Shady Grove began its efforts with CARITAS in 2002.

Caring Closet

Provides free clothing for people in need from people who care. We have several agencies whose clients are served by our closet, including United Methodist Family Services cottages and foster families, Fresh Start for Single Moms ministry, and others. In February 2021, we moved from the campus of Shady Grove UMC to expand and consolidate our efforts into one location and are now located on the UMFS Campus.

Strategies to Elevate People

STEP’s main purpose is to defeat physical and spiritual poverty in Richmond by focusing systematically on one specific community at a time. There are various opportunities to serve at STEP, here are just a few of the ways Shady Grove serves.

  • Step Christmas Store - Opportunities are available in late November and early December to give and serve at the STEP Christmas Store. Donate new toys with price tags and they will be "marked down" so parents can purchased at reduced prices, but still have the opportunity to shop for the gift of their choice. You may also volunteer at the Christmas Store to assist in readying the store and selling the items.
  • Victory Reading Program - Do you have a heart for working with at-risk children? Here is an opportunity to learn to mentor K - 4th graders in Gilpin Court, where the following is provided; homework assistance, snack, Bible story, small group reading, crafts & fun activities. Victory Reading Program meets 4 days a week (M-Th) from 3:30pm - 5:30pm in The Calhoun Center @ 436 Calhoun Street, Richmond, VA 23220. Most volunteers choose 1 day a week that works best for their schedule.