Intentional Service and Outreach

College Ministry

Columbia UMC is engaged in ministry with Columbia College and the University of South Carolina. We encourage college students to worship with us. We support the Methodist Student Network at USC and work closely with Columbia College chaplain’s office and community liaison.

Food insecurity is at shockingly high rates at college campuses. Our congregation donates monthly to the Koala Pantry at Columbia College, helping students supplement meals with easy to prepare foods and supplying clothes for their professional clothes closet for students needing enhanced wardrobes for job interviews.

We have also sponsored a pizza party for students left on campus during holidays and have participated in Columbia College’s outreach to the community during Halloween.

Boorific is an event that Columbia College does for children and families in the immediate community. Students and others set up tables to offer treats to the children and Columbia College students. There’s music, costumes and treats for all. The Columbia UMC table is shown with Pastor Kermit Moss with Zelda and Pete Howell, volunteers from the church.

We celebrate worship with the students and try to feed their bodies as well as their spirit with home cooking when possible.

Homeless Ministry

Situated one block apart from Transitions, downtown shelter and homeless program center, we seek to provide persons who are between housing with spiritual guidance and acceptance in worship as equal members in our church. 

We support Keeping It Real sandwich ministry with monthly sandwich contributions for those living on the street. We collect waters, ponchos and other items needed for this group of our neighbors. We strive to support our attendees with prayer, acceptance, fellowship, and networking for job opportunities when possible.

Columbia UMC partners with groups who minister directly with our homeless neighbors. Keeping it Real Ministries is an ongoing partner that provides physical as well as spiritual nourishment. CUMC provides 125 sandwiches each month and regularly donates water, clothing and other personal items

Alcoholics Anonymous

Our church houses 4 meetings a week for AA providing them with ample space to support one another through recovery.

Families Helping Families

Each Advent our church supports this community effort of the Palmetto Project and WIS-10 to partner with local organizations to provide Christmas for those in need.  The project helps families with children, seniors, and disabled adults.

Columbia Area Churches join together to provide much needed supplies to WNC in the wake of Hurricane Helene via Pastor Ashley’s contacts in Marion NC.

As part of our Practice of Advent we adopt at least one family and 2 adults to provide Christmas gifts. Families Helping Families is a holiday assistance program through a partnership between the non-profit Palmetto Project and WIS-News 10.

Columbia Area Churches join together to provide much needed supplies to WNC in the wake of Hurricane Helene.