Ministries

Shiloh is an open and loving congregation that embraces everyone and every opportunity to actively serve the community.

Sunday Mornings

Nursery

We offer a nursery every Sunday during the Sunday School hour 9:00 – 9:45 am and during some Sundays and special events for infants and toddlers through age five.

Children

Children are the future of our church; they are always welcome to join us in all services. A children’s message is given each Sunday during our worship service. Folders with crayons, coloring books and activity sheets are available to use during the service. Children’s Bibles are available for children to use during the service.

Youth

Shiloh’s Youth meet each Sunday morning at 9:00 am. The Youth class is open to Youth 6th – 12th grade.

Adult

The adult class meets each Sunday morning at 9:00 am. The class is open to all adults and older youth.

Small Groups

United Methodist Men

Men of all ages enjoy a devotion, fellowship, breakfast and a wide range of faith-based discussions. The group supports and coordinates some church activities and holds a monthly prayer breakfast at a local restaurant (break for summer months). The group meets the first Sunday of each month in the church Fellowship Hall at 8:00 am

United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women)

Women of all ages meet for fellowship, devotions, programs and a light dinner. The group supports and coordinates many church activities including a church wide bazaar to support missions and church ministries. Meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month at 5:00 pm (except first Sunday of December and May) The meeting location varies.

Member Care and Nurturing

Shut Ins and Members with Concerns

Cards are sent to members who are hospitalized, shut-ins or those with special concerns.

Visits

Church visitors take gift baskets or flowers to shut-ins bi-monthly.

Food for Bereaved Families

Meals are prepared and served before or after the funeral of any of our members.

Prayer Concerns

Prayer concerns are e-mailed to members and those connected to the church. Telephone calls are made to those with no e-mail access. Join the email prayer concern list by e-mailing shilohumcgilbert@gmail.com. Prayer concerns are included in our weekly church bulletin and monthly newsletter.

Lunch and Learn

Monthly lunch and learn is open to anyone in the community. This is an opportunity for fellowship and learning about services, activities and information of interest. A meal is provided at a small cost. Join the lunch and learn notification list by e-mailing shilohumcgilberrt@gmail.com.

New Member Welcome

Shiloh members visit new members with a welcome gift. New members are assigned a Shepard (mentor) to help them feel welcome and learn about our many ministry opportunities. If you are interested in joining our Shiloh family, please contact Pastor Angie Etheredge-Erwin by phone at (803) 892-5656.

Community Ministry and Care

Snacks for Gilbert Middle School

Growing teens at Gilbert Middle School are hungry during the day, especially after sports activities. For some students, school lunch and breakfast are their only meals of the day. Church members provide healthy snacks for students throughout the school year. Snacks include: peanut butter or cheese crackers, protein bars, granola bars, trail mix, fruit and nut bars, goldfish crackers, apple sauce, nuts, Bel vita Biscuits, etc. Items can be dropped off at the church; boxes are located inside the new entrance.

Coats for Children

Through Gilbert area elementary schools, Shiloh provides new winter coats to children in need. In the beginning of the school year, the school assesses the number of coats needed and the sizes. Members donate the coats to be distributed by the school. Donations (including monetary) can be made at Shiloh.

Blessing Box

Food items are provided by church members to support local families through stocking the Blessing Box at the entrance of Shiloh UMC’s parking lot. Items most needed are canned meats and vegetables, potato flakes, shelf stable milk, pasta, pasta sauce, apple sauce, peanut butter, rice, grits, and cereal. Items may be dropped off at the church; boxes are located inside the new entrance. Alternately, non-perishable items may be placed directly in the Blessing Box.

Shoebox Ministry (Operation Christmas Child)

Each year Shiloh children and families participate in Operation Christmas Child. In November, the children pack boxes with donated items to be shipped to children in need throughout the world and in the US. A printed list of suggested items and age ranges for items are available at the church or by contacting the church office.

Other Local School Ministries

Support is provided to local area schools through several ministries: Teachers and staff at Centerville Elementary School are provided a lunch, gift and encouragement the week prior to school reopening. Gifts, snack and encouragement are provided throughout the school year. Students at Gilbert Elementary, Gilbert Middle and Centerville Elementary school are provided book bags, ear buds and school supplies at the beginning of the school year.

Epworth Children's Home/Connectional Ministries

Epworth Children’s Home is a connectional ministry of the S. C. United Methodist Conference. Epworth serves children, youth and families through a caring, accepting and safe Christian community where hurts are healed; hope is nurtured; and faith in God, self and others is developed. Epworth provides group care for children in out-of-home placement, family, children and youth. Counseling and support is offered as well as a child development program for community children. Through local churches Epworth receives donations through special collections on Mother’s Day and a designated Work Day offering; however, donations are accepted throughout the year. Epworth does not receive any part of the United Methodist Church apportionment; donations from the community are a major source of funding. For more information regarding Epworth or Connectional Ministries, please visit www.EpworthChildrensHome.org.

Thanks & Giving Food Ministry

Partnering with local schools, Shiloh packs food boxes for families with food insecurity identified by our local school partners. These boxes are made available to these families the week before the school break for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Reverse Advent

Partnering with local schools, Shiloh families pack one non-perishable food item each day during Advent. These Reverse Advent food boxes are provided to local families with food insecurity to ensure that they have adequate food supply during the winter school holiday. If you are interested in supporting this ministry, please refer to the attached suggested packing list. You can pack an entire box during Advent or feel free to drop off individual non-perishable food items at Shiloh United Methodist Church.