Mission of the Month
Each month, we as a church support a specific mission as selected by the Christian Caring Committee. The congregation contributes – both financially and in service – to a local organization via our “Mission of the Month” program. In addition, the church gives these organizations a percentage of our Mission budget. Financial gifts may be made by using the contribution envelopes available in the pews and checking “Mission of the Month.” These are collected during the Offertory or may be sent to the church office. For more information, please contact our Christian Caring Committee Chair, Rick Hall at rhrlhall7@gmail.com.
.png)
July 2026 - We Rise Above the Streets
We Rise Above the Streets is an incredible organization established by Al-amin Muhammed to help feed the hungry in downtown Syracuse. They provide a meal every Saturday morning, predominantly consisting of sandwiches, protein bars, bottled water, chips, etc. Plus, they distribute clothing and shoes, children’s stuffed animals and books as available. This is almost exclusively accomplished through volunteer efforts and funding. The sandwiches are put together early Saturday mornings at Lincoln Middle School and compiled into paper bags along with the other items. Then they head to the city to distribute the food and other items directly to those in need. Volunteers are “coached” by Al-Amin to treat each guest with dignity and compassion. Guests are served rather than just taking their own bags or meals. They are met with eye contact and cheerful conversation, creating an atmosphere of belonging and inclusion. Al-amin was homeless himself and takes the treatment of the guests very seriously. The volunteers come from all over- schools, colleges, churches, and just loving individuals. The food and other items are provided by generous donations from the community. Please consider generously donating to this wonderful Mission yourself throughout the month of June and beyond. And please also consider participating in Sandwich Saturday sometime. You may contact Christian Caring Committee Chair, Rick Hall, if you would like more information or assistance in getting signed up at rhrlhall7@gmail.com.
August 2026 - JD Food Pantry
Help fill the cart! The Jamesville Dewitt Food Pantry provides supplemental food to our neighbors who are food insecure. With grocery prices increasing and the closing of some nearby pantries, more and more people are coming through our door to get enough food to make it through the month.
In addition to financial contributions, we appreciate donations of non-perishable food as well as household cleaning and hygiene products. When doing your weekly grocery shopping, perhaps pick up an extra item or two and put them in the bin in the narthex. If you have questions concerning the pantry, contact Nancy Barnett at nrosboro@gmail.com.
September 2026 - Young Life
Young Life is a Christ-centered ministry that helps kids know Jesus, grow in their faith, and serve Him. Staff and volunteers go to kids, build bridges of authentic friendship, and introduce them to Jesus Christ. Young Life in Syracuse East began over 30 years ago and now serves multiple middle and high schools across the East Side! Students gather for “Club” during the evening to play silly games and hear a short talk about Jesus. Small groups of students meet for “Campaigners” (Bible study) before school. There are also faith-forming camps and a mission trip to El Salvador. By supporting Young Life, you are supporting an organization that loves kids and encourages them at any stage in their faith journey. How can you help? Financial donations are always useful. Kids need scholarships to camp and funding for mission trips. DCC sends students, adults, and critical supplies to El Salvador with Young Life each February. Another way to help is by donating supplies for the El Salvador trip. For more information, contact Anne Stock at astock@dewittchurch.org.
October 2026 - Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is the only charity providing hand-made bunk beds to children who don’t have beds of their own. SHP is a group of volunteers dedicated to finding those young children living without the luxury of sleeping on a bed, or even laying their heads on a pillow. Through the wonderful efforts of volunteers and generous donations, bunk beds are built, assembled, and delivered to those children who are otherwise sleeping on couches, blankets or even floors. At SHP, we have a mission: NO KID SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR IN OUR TOWN. Since the first delivery on October 6th, 2018, SHP have delivered over 5730 beds and counting. DCC built 45 beds this year with the help of 37 amazing volunteers! You can donate new twin size sheets, pillows, and bedding items. Bins for bedding donations will be placed outside of the church narthex. For more information, contact Victor Duenas at victor.duenas3@gmail.com or 352-215-6548.
November 2026 - Thanksgiving Boxes
Thanksgiving is a word of action. It is a time to celebrate the love of sharing food. The Mission of the Month for November is the Thanksgiving boxes. The goal for DCC again this year is to make 150 of them! This challenge addresses the needs of the community as people continue to be in need of help especially with food insecurity. Some of the boxes will be going to the SEAL Community Center and others to Clear Path for Veterans. If you or someone you know are in need of a box, please email Rick Hall at: rhrlhall7@gmail.com.
We hope all of you will choose to be God’s hands and feet by contributing in some way to this mission. You can contribute food, including leftover Halloween candy, $30 grocery gift cards (TOPS, WEGMANS, or PRICE CHOPPER), and cash or checks. We’d also love for you to share the blessing of your presence on our packing day in November. That’s the day you can enjoy lunch down in the gym and help pack the Thanksgiving boxes. This is a great opportunity for the whole family! Look in both the Narthex and Miller Commons for the thermometers which will measure how we’re doing along with boxes for food contributions. We thank you in advance for taking action and sharing!
December 2026 - Christmas Giving
The Christian Caring team is excited to offer three options for Christmas Giving this year. The needs are great in our community, and we hope our congregation continues to be the hands and feet of Jesus during this Advent season of love. We pray one or more of the following options touches your heart. Samaritan Center: We will be collecting lap/nap blankets and small stuffed animals to distribute to the families served by the Samaritan Center. We will be collecting these items until 12/10/25. Our goal for 2025 is 60 blankets and stuffed animals. Salvation Army Angel Tree: We will offer an Angel Tree tag which includes suggested gift ideas (toys or clothes) for a specific age group (range from newborn babies to seniors) and gender. Items are returned unwrapped, with the tags attached, on or before 12/10/25. Our goal for 2025 is 60 tags. School Break Bags: With K-12 schools closed for a 2-week holiday break, we will be collecting food supplies for families in need in local school districts. Grocery bags and lists will be provided. Food items must be returned on or before 12/15/25. Our goal for 2025 is 100 Break Bags.
January 2027 - Mission Trip to El Salvador
Young Life of Syracuse has been taking students from local High Schools to a rural village in the Bajo Lempa Region of El Salvador since 2006, and this February we will be going on our 20th trip to El Salvador with a group of around 70 adults and high schoolers from Syracuse! It is an incredible opportunity for those going on this trip to experience what cultures are like in other parts of the world! They are able to see and experience firsthand what life is like for the people that live there, as well as see some of the difficulties that some of them may be facing. Students also learn all the things they have in common with each other. One of the reasons this trip has had such a profound impact on those that have gone is because of the work that we are able to do while we are there! Students start the work of digging foundations for new houses that will be lived in by the locals of the village. They will help set up a medical and dental clinic for the entire week in which the doctors and dentists that come with us will be able to help treat the locals while we are there. Over the years we have also done a number of irrigation projects, shoe and clothing drives, and a number of other projects that benefit the people that live down there. These projects have had a big impact on improving the lives of the people in the village.
February 2027 - In My Father's Kitchen
In My Father’s Kitchen was founded by John and Leigh-Ann Tumino in 2011. After walking away from a successful restaurant business, they founded a faith-based organization offering non-denominational and non-discriminatory assistance to homeless people through direct street outreach. They feed people’s spirit, soul and body using food distribution and supplying material necessities to break down barriers, build relationships, and bring hope to those who feel invisible. One area of growing need they are seeing right now is for their friends who are transitioning indoors or working to maintain housing. Because of that, collecting basic cleaning and household supplies would be incredibly beneficial to their outreach programs. In light of this, we will be launching a “Bucket List for IMFK”. Along with financial contributions, DCC has set a goal of providing at least 25 of each item. Some suggested items include: cleaning supplies such as all purpose cleaners, sponge mops, buckets, brooms, dustpans, laundry baskets, laundry detergent, coffee and coffee filters. There will be collection receptacles in Miller Commons and the Narthex. These practical items help bring dignity, stability, and a sense of home to those taking important steps forward, and they would be received with deep appreciation. For more information, contact Kim Buchanan at kb4labs@gmail.com,
March 2027 - Easter Meals
DCC will be preparing 75 Easter Meals to serve those who are food insecure in our community as our March Mission of the Month. We started this mission three years ago to help serve the hungry in our community during the Easter season. It has steadily grown, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our congregation. In early Christianity, “feed the hungry” represents both an action and an obligation. It signifies the importance of compassion, where we are called to provide food for the hungry. This act not only demonstrates charity but also reflects a deep sense of love for our neighbors. Ultimately, feeding the hungry is a direct expression of our commitment to caring for others and fulfilling our call for generosity and kindness. Will you join us in this ministry? We will be collecting food and assembling the Easter meals in March. Bring the whole family to help assemble! Meals will be distributed to families served by the North Area YMCA, Road to Emmaus ministry, and local school districts. Financial donations are also welcome to help offset the cost of the meals. Questions? Contact Dot Hall at dhallmarathon@gmail.com or Amy Dupell at adupell1@verizon.net
April 2027 - Fellowship of Christian Athletes
SU’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has a vision to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Its mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. DCC has been a strong supporter of SU’s FCA for nearly 8 years. We support the weekly women’s Bible study, Huddles, and walk alongside coaches and student-athletes in a variety of ways throughout their faith journeys. We have a team of dedicated volunteers who provide homemade meals monthly to the weekly Huddles, where students come together in community to hear a message then spend time in discussion and prayer. Pastor Alan has spoken to the Huddles on a regular basis, and Dot Hall attend the Huddles weekly. We have gifted FCA with Bibles and theological reference/study materials over our time together. In addition, Dot walks alongside the SU Women’s Soccer team as a volunteer Director of Player Relations. In this role, Dot is available to support the coaches and players in their faith, be present as they journey through their season, their time on campus and post-graduation or transfer, and uplift them through trials and struggles. Dot and Rick support the team with team meals, one-on-one meetings with players and coaches, as well as supporting Pastor William Payne, Director of SU FCA.
.png)
May 2027 - Emmaus Ministries
Emmaus Ministries is our Mission of the Month partner for May. What began with the simple mission of serving sandwich lunches has grown into a vibrant, multi-building campus offering meals, counseling, medical and dental care, shower facilities, children's programs, and, above all, compassionate care for neighbors in need. They serve individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and other challenges, welcoming each person with dignity and the love of Christ.
Road to Emmaus Ministries provides meals six days a week and operates a food pantry, both of which rely on dedicated volunteers. They also distribute clothing, toiletries, and essential supplies such as sleeping bags and tarps to those experiencing homelessness, creating meaningful opportunities for donations and hands-on service.
On Saturdays from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, the ministry offers children's programs that provide a safe, engaging environment while helping young participants build skills such as reading. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who enjoys working with children.
To learn more about the ministry, visit emmausministry.org or watch Sheila Austin's Mission Spotlight presentation on the church's YouTube channel. Emmaus Ministries truly exemplifies what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ. Please prayerfully consider supporting this important ministry through your financial gifts, donations, or by volunteering your time.
.png)
June 2027 - InterFaith Works
This is a very special year for one of our wonderful mission partners, InterFaith Works of Central New York! IFWCNY is celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing critical support through its core centers: The Center for New Americans, The Center for Healthy Aging, and The Center for Dialogue and Action. These programs fulfill the mission of affirming the dignity of every person and every faith tradition, building racial and religious equity, and creating bridges of understanding throughout the Central New York community. InterFaith Works was also honored to receive the Onondaga Historical Association Medal Award on May 21. The OHA Medal Award was established in 1945.
One of the most urgent needs facing IFWCNY right now is the growing food insecurity created when non-citizens without green cards lost access to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. This change, which took effect on April 1, 2026, has increased the need for support for local pantries, seniors, and non-citizens. The IFWCNY Spring Food Access Appeal is focused on raising funds to help struggling families. As our Mission Spotlight, donations made through DCC and earmarked for IFWCNY will go directly to the organization. You may also consider making a direct donation anytime through the InterFaith Works donation page www.interfaithworkscny.org/donate.