Keith Memorial United Methodist Church is so much more than just a building. Church doesn’t just happen inside these walls. It happens when we serve those among us. When we work together to serve, feed, nurture, provide shelter, educate, and open our hearts to those in need, we are Keith Church. Below is a small list of the many outreach opportunities in which we take part. If you have questions about any of these programs, call our church office at (423) 745-2612.

» Angel Tree Each December Keith Church supports local families through its partnership with Athens City Schools. Christmas trees featuring “angels” with the wishes, ages and sizes of more than 100 children are displayed throughout the building. Church members and friends purchase gifts for each angel and return the gifts to the church for distribution.

» Light One Candle The Light One Candle ministry pairs an adult volunteer with a child in need of special attention to work together one-on-one throughout the school year. Volunteers are needed to meet with children who attend Athens City Schools during the school day.

» Local and Global Missions We believe in supporting both local and global missions
through monetary donations, participation in mission trips and support for mission projects, including a recent Hands-On Mission project of providing food buckets for Liberia.

Locally, Keith Church supports numerous organizations, which include but is not limited to:

Camp Lookout
Children’s Advocacy Center
Community Resource Agency of McMinn (CRAM)
Coordinated Charities
Friendly Fellows
Good Faith Clinic
Grace House
Grace & Mercy Ministries
Holston Home for Children
Tennessee Wesleyan College
The Hope Center
Wesley Foundation
Women at the Well

» Nourish One Child Nourish One Child (NOC) was established to feed the many children in our local school system who were going hungry on the weekends. NOC is funded by grants and donations from church and community members. The program was founded by Dixie Liner and is led by the NOC Board which organizes groups of volunteers to purchase, pack and deliver the food on a weekly basis. For more information about this program, download our NOC Fact Sheet.

» Scout Host Church Keith Church proudly serves as the host church for Boy Scout Troop #118 and Cub Scout Troop #177. Also, Keith Church is happy to support its local Girl Scout Troop.

» Stephen Ministry Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in many congregations. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. If you would like more information on our Stephen Ministry and the encouragement we might provide to you or someone you know, please contact Pastor Dave at dgraybeal@keithumc.org or 745-2612.

» Shepherding Ministry The Shepherding Ministry provides individuals and families in the Keith congregation (sheep) with a shepherd who is dedicated praying daily for his or her sheep.

» Thanksgiving Meal Annually Keith Church hosts a free community meal on Thanksgiving day. Everyone is invited and may choose to dine in, carry out or have meals delivered to his or her home. Through the service and generosity of many, in 2017 Keith Church served more than 500 meals.

» Vacation Bible School Keith Church hosts VBS each summer, in 2018 the week-long event will be Monday, June 24 – Friday, June 29. More details will be announced soon!