Mission

Mission of the Month: for November 2025
Salvation Army Angel Tree

The Hamilton County Salvation Army Angel Tree program aims to support 400 children by connecting volunteers with the opportunity to shop for personalized Christmas gifts for children less fortunate in our county. This year’s giveaway will be on Saturday, December 6 and we are seeking CUMC volunteers to adopt 75 of these 400 children as well as help out on our giveaway day.

Each volunteer will have the opportunity to select a specific child to sponsor, ensuring that the gifts purchased will directly benefit that child.

Each tag is for one child, will have their first name, age and gender on it, and a few ideas the parents have provided. Shoppers should expect to spend approximately $125 per child: one large gift ($30+), and a few smaller gifts (under $30). Last year, several small groups adopted a child or two to minimize the cost per person. Angel Tags were available 11/2 at our Serve week kick off dinner, and Sunday 11/ 9 in in the Gathering Place. We ask that gifts are returned back to the church by Sunday 11/16 labeled and with the tag provided.

If you would like to participate, but missed the ANGEL TREE tags, we are still looking for books, games, clothes and stocking stuffers for various age and gender groups.

In addition to receiving the personalized donated gifts, families will be able to select supplementary items such as books, games, clothes and stocking stuffers during the gift pick-up, further enhancing their holiday experience. We want to THANK YOU for sharing the joy of Christmas with those in need in our community. Questions? Feel free to contact missions@carmelumc.org

The CUMC Food Pantry serves about 400 families each month. We partner with local churches, school organizations and members of the community to serve healthy food to HAMILTON COUNTY RESIDENTS. Please bring: a photo ID and proof of residence, such as a utility bill or rental agreement, with you when you visit the food pantry.

Since 2022, St Christopher's Episcopal Church, Carmel Christian Church, Cornerstone Lutheran, and Noblesville First UMC, have donated bounty from their own gardens to the CUMC Food Pantry. Orchard Park Presbyterian Church donates all of the eggs given to guests of the pantry.

If you are interested in volunteering in the Food Pantry, fill out the form at THIS LINK. If you have never volunteered at the pantry, please sign up for a Newbie Shift for training before you volunteer as a Guest Shopper. Newbie Shifts are every Tuesday night 5-7pm and Saturday 11am-1pm.

You can also email foodpantry@carmelumc.org

Soup's On joins Roberts Park UMC in downtown Indianapolis to serve meals to the hungry and homeless of downtown Indy on Sundays each week. Meals are provided from 12-1pm. Personal hygiene items are also available. CUMC serves several times per year. Contact Natalie Oehler at nataliejoehler@gmail.com about volunteering to serve. Read more about 'Soup's On' on page 13 of theAugust 2025 edition of THE CONTACT - (click here) ... and past information can be found on page 5 of the July 2023 edition of THE CONTACT - (click here)

The United Methodist Churches across Indiana partner with United Methodist Churches in Sierra Leone & Liberia to ensure children have access to education. Carmel UMC partners specifically with the schools in Sierra Leone, including the Taiama Enterprise Academy, to provide school supplies, scholarships and room & board to students.

Pastor Daisy Gbloh is from Sierra Leone. She served as part of the CUMC staff for 18 months (Feb 2022- Aug 2023) while she studied at United Theological Seminary.

The Angel Tree program looked a little different from previous years, Santa's Workshop was set up right here at CUMC! We needed LOTS of help to setup the FLC and volunteers to help guide families through and help them shop for their kids. We are grateful for those who signed up.

THANK YOU to all those who donated and helped...for sharing the joy of Christmas with those in need in our neighborhood. Questions? You can contact Beth (brlotti52@gmail.com) or Margaret (mkettle@indy.rr.com).

Family Promise is the nation's leading organization working to prevent and end family homelessness. Carmel UMC was one of the founding partner churches to get this non-profit started in the Indianapolis area. What began as churches providing food and shelter in the winter months has turned into furnishing apartments to help provide stability for homeless families and most especially their children.

We collected items in May 2025 for an apartment to be furnished for a family in July. Thank you to everyone who contributed so many lovely things to make this new place a home for this family.

Family Promise is typically our Mission of the Month for the month of May each year. THANK YOU to EVERYONE for your generous donations! If you have questions, email missions@carmelumc.org

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