Dear Friends,
We are entering the second month of our 100th year of mission and ministry as a church in Torrance. Last month we honored the countless ways that we have provided worship experiences and this month we celebrate and give thanks for the ways that we have served those in need beyond our walls.
One of the longest standing outreach projects for our church has been the support of the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro. Pledge drives have helped Toberman’s mission to serve low-income families and our yearly toy drive has helped provide Christmas presents for children in need.
In the mid 1970’s we began working with Meals on Wheels, providing countless cooks and drivers to deliver hot meals to seniors in need. Around the same time, with neighboring churches we began participating in the annual CROP Walks, raising money for organizations who feed and care for our community.
In the 1980’s we began our annual Alternative Christmas to provide critical funds for organizations such as, but not limited to: Heifer Project, Red Bird Mission School, and the Society of St. Andrew Potato Project. Each year thousands of dollars have been donated to support these outreach organizations during the Christmas season. Also, at this time work was started to create His House, which is now Stillman Sawyer Family Service Center and part of the Salvation Army, which we still support through food and monetary donations on a monthly basis.
Organized in 1988 our first monthly Community Outreach Lunch was served. For over 30 years we have opened our doors, turned on our ovens, welcomed people to sit for a hot meal, and offered the welcoming love of Christ to those in need. As many as 110 people have been served each meal and the pandemic has not closed our kitchen or our hearts for our community friends and their hungry bellies.
Finally, since the mid 1990’s through the Board of Global Ministries we have been in covenant relationship with missionaries at Red Bird Mission School, Thailand and now Taiwan. We have been blessed to be a blessing to ministry around the world through our missionary support and relationships.
Many thanks to all the volunteer cooks, drivers, walkers, toy shoppers, servers, givers, prayer warriors and organizers for the 100 years of Christ’s service through First UMC of Torrance.
Blessings, Pastor Stacy