Opportunities for Service & Outreach
Zion members find a variety of ways to serve both inside and outside our walls. The Outreach & Service commission helps facilitate service opportunities for Zion members and attenders. Below are a few upcoming ways for you to get involved in local efforts.
Upcoming opportunities
October 25-27 - Soil and Seed Retreat at Highland Retreat - help serve a lunch meal on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Food Pantry collection dates: March 31, June 30, Sept. 29, Christmas Tea (date TBA)
Information for providing meals for immigrants or refugees through Church World Service (if interested in volunteering, contact Becky Brenneman to be added to the list):
Active Outreach Partners
As a congregation Zion is actively involved with these organizations and ministries. Click the links to learn more about the work that is being done through these partnerships. If you would like more information about how you can participate with Zion please email Lori Friesen at lori@zmcva.org.
Church World Service - https://cwsharrisonburg.org/
CWS Harrisonburg serves and advocates for refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley. Zion members can be on a list to receive requests for meals and groceries for newly arriving refugees and immigrants. Other opportunities include housing setup, helping transport clients to appointments, tutoring, etc.
People Helping People - https://phpharrisonburg.org
A one time gift was given to People Helping People (PHP). Zion has contributed a yearly gift of $1,000.00. This is a local organization that supports 72 households in our community. The organization was struggling to meet its budget currently. So we made a one time gift of $5,000.00 for this year (2023). Our regular budget will continue at $1,000.00 next year.
Bridge of Hope - https://hr.bridgeofhopeinc.org/
The mission of this organization is to engage Christian faith communities in ending family homelessness through neighboring relationships that demonstrate Christ’s love.
Valley Interfaith Action (VIA) - https://viavirginia.org/
“Valley Interfaith Action is a broad-based, non-partisan, multi-issue volunteer leader-led power organization made up of dues-paying member institutions in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Our member groups include faith-based congregations, immigrant, neighborhood, and other associations. We bring together leaders and their institutions across the lines that often divide us — political, rural-urban, race, faith, to take action on our common interests and improve the lives of families in our community.”
Open Doors - https://www.valleyopendoors.org/
“As the area's only low-barrier shelter, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive and safe place for individuals experiencing homelessness to stay. In collaboration with partners, we also ensure a warm and nourishing meal for each guest. Utilizing a collaborative approach, we work diligently to provide access to and navigation of the many great community resources that can help our guests achieve success.”
Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale (MCC) - https://vareliefsale.com/
The Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale is an annual, all volunteer event that raises money for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC is a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches that share God’s love and compassion for all in the name of Christ. MCC works with people at home and around the world to ease oppression, poverty, and conflict. They lead natural disaster relief efforts, community development and peace work in more than 50 countries.