Rooted in United Methodism
The Big Garden is funded, in part, by Mission Share dollars from the Great Plains Annual Conference. We are thankful for the support of the United Methodist Church through the Great Plains Annual Conference, United Methodist Women, Missouri River District, and local congregations. The following resources, while of potential help to a broader audience, may be especially useful to United Methodist members and congregations.
United Methodist Church
The official website for the global United Methodist Church, and an excellent starting point for finding information related to the UMC.
UMC Social Principles
This link includes an introduction, and then presents the Social Principles, grouped by topic.
National & International United Methodist Resources
United Methodist Women
UMW has a long and rich history of working for mission and justice. You do not have to be a woman, nor a UMW member, to utilize UMW resources - although they would love for you to join or come visit. The UMW Reading program will be of special interest to book-lovers. Our organization came under the official United Methodist Women umbrella when it was designated as a National Mission Institution in 2013.
The Advance
The official tool for designated giving in the United Methodist Church, The Advance publishes an online catalog of mission and justice-related projects. The Big Garden is included on this list, identified as project #3021107.
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
UMCOR is a prominent worldwide emergency relief organization akin to the Red Cross. A nonprofit agency of the United Methodist Church, UMCOR reaches worldwide to provide relief in five core areas: Hunger, Health, Refugees, Emergencies, and Relief Supplies.
United Methodist News Service
Subscription tools include summaries for use in church newsletters, bulletins, and websites, as well as a daily briefing service.
The General Board of Church and Society and The General Board of Global Ministries
These sites offer many resources related to mission and justice work in the local church. Both offer e- newsletters.
Volunteers in Mission (VIM)
Learn more about volunteer opportunities in the US and around the world, as well as ways your congregation can support VIM.
Special Sundays
The United Methodist Church designates a number of Sundays throughout the year as opportunities for recognizing and supporting particular ministries. These are referred to as Special Sundays and most include an offering used to fund the work of these programs.
Equal Exchange Interfaith Store
Through Equal Exchange's Interfaith Program, your congregation can enjoy delicious, Fair Trade products while supporting small-scale farmers across the world. Farmers earn a fair price for their products, have access to affordable credit, and can invest in education, health care, and sustainable agriculture, enabling them to build a better future for their families.
Great Plains United Methodist Resources
Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church
Here you'll find the official site of the Great Plains Annual Conference, which includes all of Nebraska and Kansas. All committees and boards are represented on this website.
Great Plains Annual Conference Mercy and Justice
Part of the structure of the Great Plains UMC, offering many resources for local congregations.
Great Plains United Methodist Women (UMW)
Great Plains Mission Trips & Volunteer Opportunities
Great Plains Volunteers in Mission (VIM)
Here you'll find information on VIM opportunities for churches and individuals in Nebraska and Kansas.