Community Outreach

Our church serves a small community with many unmet needs. We look for ways to serve the community. Some of our activities, both past and present, that have involved the community are:

• GED Classes
• Citizenship preparation Classes
• ESL Classes
• Local K-9  Fundraiser
• I-Serve (Annual Community Clean-up)
• Food Bank donations
• Deliver Christmas food boxes
• Angel Tree Gifts
• Stayton Swimming Pool Fundraiser
• Middle school garden
• Community garden
• Habitat for Humanity
• Oregon Humanities Conversation Project

English As A Second Language – ESL

We have offered ESL classes since 2007.  Our goal is to help people from other countries feel more at home here as they learn to communicate in English.  Our teaching volunteers are trained and dedicated.  We’re always looking for others who want to make a difference in people’s lives.

• Classes are available free of charge to any adult who wants to improve their English language skills
• Both beginning and intermediate classes are offered from September through June
• Classes are every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Also Monday and Wednesday mornings between 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
• You can join any time
• Call the church office (503) 769-5700 to register

Citizenship Preparation Classes

If you are eligible to become a US citizen, join us to prepare for citizenship. Classes are informal, fun, and they will give you the skills and confidence you need.

• Classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. during the school year
• They are free to those who want to become US citizens
• Basic English skills are important
• We work with experts who know what the testers are looking for
• We help you with the necessary paperwork required
• To learn more, call the church 503 769-5700

Building Community Use

We believe our building and its lovely setting are part of our ministry to the community. Our goal is to provide a beautiful, comfortable, accessible and safe place for church members and the community to gather.

• The facility is available for religious and non-religious groups that fit within our mission
• The board of trustees reviews and approves building use applications
• The building is all on one level and wheelchair accessible
• Accessible parking is available
• Bathrooms are accessible to most wheelchair users
• Both large and small rooms are available for use
• Use of the kitchen requires additional supervision, and depends on the availability of church staff
• Use of the sound system and/or projection requires additional supervision and depends on the availability of church staff

Current users include:

• Highland Preschool
• Weightwatchers
• PEO groups
• TOPS
• Rising Star Studios

The building is available for community use for a modest fee. Download our rental form:

United Methodist Women – UMW

• UMW provides a supportive fellowship for the women in our church.
• We hold a Holiday Bazaar in early November every year to raise money for mission projects that benefit women and children in our local area, within Oregon, nationwide and world-wide.  Our entire church gets involved with the bazaar.
• We have a bazaar crafters group that meets every Wednesday for several months to make items for our annual Holiday Bazaar.
• We hold a community spaghetti dinner during the Holiday Bazaar.  All donations at the dinner go to a community service group.
• We go out to lunch every 2nd Wednesday to celebrate the women with birthdays that month.
• Once a year, we have an All Daughters Tea with an invited speaker.  Donations go to local non-profit groups that help women and/or children.
• Our UMW study programs explore the complexities of the world’s difficult issues.
• The purpose of the Stayton United Methodist Women is to be a community of women who strive to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the Church.

United Methodist Men – UMM

All men are welcome to gather with us at the Covered Bridge Café for a monthly breakfast. Meetings begin spiritually, then continue with a discussion of the needs of the church and community. It is also a time when men become better acquainted with each other and give support to one another.

We meet on the third Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.

We plan several events throughout the year and provide other help as needed or requested, both here and in the community.

Regularly scheduled events include:

• February Valentine dinner
• May burrito breakfast
• Summer barbeque
• November Spaghetti dinner to support a community service group
• Support for the December Angel Tree gifts
• Support for Christmas Boxes

Projects we’ve supported include:

• Cut and split wood for heating homes
• Spaghetti dinner for the Stayton Swimming Pool
• Judges for track events
• Church Landscape
• Painting
• Temporary yard clean-up for church members
• Habitat for Humanity