Missions & Outreach

“We serve God by serving others.  The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige and position.  If you can demand service from others, you’ve arrived.  In our self-serving culture with its “me-first” mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept.  Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status.  God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you” …. Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

CMF supports local ministries by providing opportunities for our congregation to be involved in service and outreach projects during our annual Fall Faith in Action month (September) and bi-monthly Jubilee Days of Caring (held in January, March, May, July and November).  These provide practical opportunities for us to reach out, share the love of Jesus with others and to make a difference in our community.

Below are some of the local ministries and mission organizations we provide prayer and financial support to throughout the year.

Eastern Mennonite Missions

CMF is committed to supporting the mission work and efforts of Mennonite Church USA through its local mission organization called Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM).  CMF provides annual support to EMM and to several families serving as missionaries overseas.  Currently, we are supporting three families, one in Asia, one in Europe and the other in the Middle East.  We also recently have developed a partnership with a missionary serving in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa.  We send at least one short term mission team there per year to support the work there, primarily in the areas of education, evangelism, church leadership and medical services.

The MAMA Project

Mujeres Amigas (Women Friends) Miles Apart, is a Network for Health and Wholeness.  The MAMA Project is a ministry connecting North Americans and Hondurans to work on the problems that cause suffering in Honduras.  The special focus is on families who are living in severe poverty.  MAMA has been most recognized for their work in the nutritional rehabilitation of severely malnourished children.  Several service trips are planned each year in February and March.  Ongoing efforts to support the MAMA Project through vitamin, shoe and clothing collection and distribution of school and baby kits also exist.  For more information, visit www.mamaproject.org.

Heart and Hand

Heart and Hand is a Christian service organization that provides a “hands on” opportunity for us to put our faith into action.  CMF partners with other churches to build a house for a low income family in Philipi, West Virginia every summer in late July.  The house is usually built and dedicated in less than a week.

LOVE Inc.

LOVE Inc. is an organization that connects members of the Milton community who are in need with volunteers from local churches to help meet those needs.  The majority of requests are for transportation or assistance with cleaning or yard work.  For more information, contact Golden Rule LOVE Inc. at 570-742-3561.

Community Harvest Meal

Each week, about 150-200 members of the Milton and surrounding communities enjoy a hot meal and fellowship served at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Milton. This effort is a partnership between the local churches and Bucknell University students. CMF supports this project and ministry through financial and volunteer support.

The Hand Up Foundation

(HUF) is a ministry located in Milton PA and is committed to giving people a hand up, rather than a hand out.  The most visible components of HUF are the recycling center and the discount center both of which produce revenue to administer programs geared towards providing community members a hand up.  For more information, call 570-742-3000.

Central PA Youth Ministry

Central PA Youth Ministry is a local organization that reaches out to un-churched youth in the Milton School district.  Staff and volunteers spend time building relationships with the youth during the school year, coordinate activities, social events and Bible studies.  Their goal is to model Christ’s love in a way that will encourage kids to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Penny Power

Penny Power is a children’s collection initiative under the Mennonite Central Committee and EMM.  It occurs every winter/early spring and it encourages children to collect their loose change in order to support a specific project which alleviates suffering and assists people living in poverty or unsafe living conditions around the world.  The pennies are donated at the MCC Relief sale at the Farm Complex in Harrisburg each year in early April.

Other Local Ministries

We support and are involved with are the following: Christian radio stations: WGRC, WPGM, Sunbury LIGHT ministries, Kingdom Kidz Puppet ministry, HOPE International, Global Disciples, Salvation Army and the Milton area food bank.

CMF also provides annual financial support to the Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Disaster Service and the Lancaster Mennonite Conference (all affiliated with Mennonite Church USA).