The missions of Spring Valley offer open hearts, open minds, and open doors locally and globally in mission, extending God's love:
in action, by providing opportunities for hands-on direct mission ministry
in support, by providing mission stewardship opportunities
in education, by communicating to the congregation how we become disciples of Christ through service in the world
For any questions regarding SVUMC missions, please contact David Smith.
LOCAL MISSION
RISD Mobile Food Pantry
Hunger among Richardson ISD children is a major challenge. Spring Valley operates a mobile food pantry at two Richardson ISD schools each Tuesday morning and Tuesday afternoon. Fresh food and staples are distributed from a truck provided by the Network of Community Ministries and the North Texas Food Bank. Heavy lifting is not required. Join this mission that serves over 100 families every Tuesday.
Austin Street Center
Hunger and homelessness go together. Founded in 1983, Austin Street Center provides safe shelter and meets the basic needs of the most vulnerable homeless. Join this mission that feeds more than 300 homeless one Sunday morning once a quarter.
Habitat for Humanity
Spring Valley has been a long-time supporter of Habitat. Volunteers show up on a Saturday of your choosing from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Though carpentry skills come in handy, no previous experience is required. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
Meals on Wheels
VNA Meals on Wheels provides hot, nutritious, freshly prepared meals five days a week to seniors who can’t cook for themselves due to illness, advanced age or disability. These meals contribute to the overall health and well-being of the homebound. Spring Valley has long been involved in this weekly outreach.
Network Food Drive
Network of Community Ministries
Spring Valley is one of the founders of the Network of Community Ministries (The Network). The Network provides basic needs assistance, including a food pantry and clothing closet, stabilization programs and seniors programs, serving the Richardson ISD area. Spring Valley continuously collects food and clothing for The Network. Spring Valley supplies volunteers for many of the ministry areas and “adopts” particular areas, currently including the mobile food pantry.
NATIONAL MISSION
In addition to local mission work, Spring Valley youth undertake mission trips each summer. Past trips have included the Appalachia Service Project and The Restoration Team in Houston. Both have engaged youth and accompanying adults in repairing homes for the underprivileged. These trips have been transformational for all involved.
This work will continue in the Summer of 2024 with the UM Army in the Austin area. The next trip is scheduled for June 23-29, 2024. Contact Shea Wilkins for more information.
International Mission
Salud -Y- Paz
Salud- Y-Paz is an international outreach in Guatemala. The Project consists of three clinic locations, a school for grades preschool through first grade, many health and educational programs, and a network of 40 medical, dental, optical, surgical, and construction teams. Salud y Paz has 20-30 full-time staff members including Guatemalan doctors, dentists, and a dental assistant seeing more than 50 patients a day.
Sisters of Sierra Leone
The Sisters of Sierra Leone is dedicated to aid displaced women and children in war-torn Sierra Leone. This mission contributes to the redevelopment and rehabilitation of the nation by providing access to medical care; adoption services for orphans; enhancing literacy from primary to tertiary levels. Through empowering leaders the Sisters of Sierra Leone enables a return to lives of productivity and purpose.