East Cooper Community Outreach

East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) is an ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to helping neighbors in need. The community which ECCO serves embraces the area east of the Cooper River and south of the Santee Basin.

ECCO, acting through community involvement and partnerships, renders assistance to satisfy community needs, including food, financial aid, tutoring services, counseling and dental care. This ministry, which began in 1990, improves the quality of life in a compassionate way that respects the dignity and worth of all. ECCO seeks to be a beacon of hope to our neighbors in need.

Anyone interested in giving their time, talent or treasure, can contact ECCO at (843) 849-9220. They are located at 870 N. Lansing Drive, Mt. Pleasant SC 29464. New volunteers are always welcome.

Crisis Ministry Homeless Shelter

Hibben members have a real opportunity to share our resources with those less fortunate. Churches in the Charleston area which participate in this worth while ministry take turns to feed the special guests at the homeless shelter. Hibben members donate both food and services.

Hibben is in a rotation with other churches around Charleston who participate in providing meals at the shelter on Meeting Street. Hibben is scheduled to work the fifth Friday of every month. Of course, all months do not have 5 Fridays, so we actually only help out at the shelter about four weekends a year. We serve dinner on Friday evening and breakfast the following Saturday morning. We serve anywhere from 60 to 100 guests and most all of them like to have seconds. The evening meal includes meat loaf, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, rolls, cookies and lemonade; for breakfast, we have cereal, hard boiled eggs, grits with cheese orange juice and coffee. The guests love our menu and are most appreciative of what we do.

Mallard/Sweat Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is in memory of two beloved and dedicated members of Hibben UMC. For Hibben members only, this scholarship, is to help supplement the needs of today's students. It is to be awarded on an academic year basis and must be applied to tuition and fees. A student is eligible to receive only one scholarship during any one academic year and must re-apply for each academic year. The amount a student may receive will be determined by the funds available at the time of application. Funding for this scholarship is provided through gifts of Hibben members, through church offerings, fund raisers and other designated gifts. Contact the church office for applications and further details.

Salkehatchie

Salkehatchie was founded as a S. C. Conference's Board of Missions' project in 1978 by Rev. John Wesley Culp. Since then, thousands of young people and adults have taken part in Salkehatchie. In 1996, 1,600 participants from United Methodist churches in South Carolina paid $140 each for the privilege of participating in this project. The fees paid by participants pay for their meals and for the necessary building supplies. One base and a $5,000 budget in the early years has grown to 22 camps in different geographic locations and a budget of $290,000 in 1996. Salkehatchie's focus has not changed - Christian love and commitment.

Salkehatchie workers minister with hammers and nails to ensure that a family can live in a house where the roof doesn't leak, the floors don't sag, the lights come on in dark rooms, and the water flows in kitchens and bathrooms. Often it involves fixing up an old house fallen into disrepair. Sometimes it involves building a new house from scratch. Everyone can do something, whether you're a skilled carpenter, or a novice who doesn't know one end of a hammer from the other.

Additional information can be found by visiting the Salkehatchie Web page or by contacting the church office.

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission

UMVIM is the fastest growing mission movement in the United Methodist Church today. UMVIM provides an opportunity for practically anyone to experience Christian mission around the world. All talents and abilities are accepted. Your requirement is your willingness to share your love for Christ with others often, of other cultures and languages. Teams are organized to serve year round to areas in the Caribbean, Latin America, Florida and many states, to Africa, and Europe.

On a local level, the purpose of UMVIM is to provide opportunities for South Carolinians to get personally involved in short-term mission projects at home and abroad. Mission services include construction, medical care, education, agriculture and supportive services.

For additional information, contact the S.C. Conference UMVIM Committee Chairperson, Michael C. Watson at (803) 245-5144. The mailing address is Drawer 528, Bamberg, SC 29003.

Hibben House

Hibben UMC offers a hand-up, instead of a hand-out: a unique and wonderful opportunity for families in need to build and own their own affordable houses. The most recent project was the construction of a new home in nearby Hollywood SC. This project was a joint effort of Hibben United Methodist and Wesley United Methodist churches.

United Methodist Relief Center

On the night of September 21, 1989, Hurricane Hugo struck the lowcountry of South Carolina, causing widespread damage to the homes of the rich and poor alike. Hibben UMC became the disaster response depot and coordination site for the East Cooper area. Within days, hundreds of volunteers from around the country and tons of food, clothing and building supplies began arriving. A massive volunteer effort developed through our membership, and by the time the South Carolina Annual Conference took over the operation and established a continuing office to provide long-term response, almost 300 homes had been temporarily repaired. As of the Summer of 1994, this Hugo response office, still operating at Hibben and now under the mandate for continued service, has restored over 1,700 homes in the East Cooper area, including 40 totally new homes.

The mission of the United Methodist Relief Center is to rehabilitate or replace homes of low-income families in rural areas of the Charleston District who have no other options available. Priority is given to families lacking indoor facilities. All work is carried out through use of grant funds and volunteer work teams. An additional component, the Helping Hands Advocacy, trains local volunteers to assist families in setting goals and taking the necessary steps to elevate daily living skills.

Additional information can be found by visiting the UMRC Web page or by contacting the United Methodist Relief Center's Director, Pat Goss at (843) 884-4860. They are located at 690 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.

Epworth Children's Home

Epworth began its ministry in 1895 as an orphanage and has sheltered and cared for thousands of neglected, dependent children. In the early 1950's, the name was changed to Epworth Children's Home when it became obvious that many of the children needing care were not true orphans. Instead, they were children from broken homes, victims of abuse or family conflicts. The needs of children today are much the same as they were a century ago - to feel loved and safe: to be sheltered, fed and clothed; to learn; to grow in good health; and to experience Christian love and mercy.

Epworth is primarily supported by individual gifts, memorials, wills, trusts and designated gifts. They depend on gifts from friends who believe in this ministry. All gifts are tax-deductible.

Epworth and its supporters offer hope and help to children and families in crisis. Through their efforts, many troubled families are reunited and children are helped to become successful and responsible adults.

Additional information can be found by visiting the Epworth Web page .

Killingsworth

Killingsworth provides a supportive community for adult women in crisis. This includes room and board, counseling, adult education, spiritual development and community reorientation.

For additional information, contact the Executive Director, Diane Mosley at (803) 771-6359. They are located at 1831 Pendelton Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Alston Wilkes Society

The Alston Wickes Society is a private, statewide, non-profit organization which has created and supported opportunities to help individuals and families be responsible and productive in their communities since 1962. Services include employment, mediation, life skills, rehabilitation, prevention, volunteer, and transitional housing, which are provided to such at-risk groups as adult and juvenile offenders, former offenders, homeless veterans, emotionally disturbed youth, and their families.

For additional information, contact the Executive Director, S. Anne Walker at (803) 540-7223. They are located at 2215 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205.

Johns Island Rural Mission

The purpose of Rural Mission, Inc. is to provide human, spiritual and social services to Sea Island residents, migrant workers and transients. They provide migrant headstart services, crisis intervention, scholarship funds, work camp projects, emergency food vouchers (limited), information and referrals for families in need.

For additional information, contact the Executive Director, Linda D. Gadson at (843) 768-1720 or (843) 559-5955. Their address is P.O. Box 235, Camp Care Road, Johns Island, SC 29455.

Red Bird Mission

Red Bird Mission began in 1921 when there was a great need to provide education and health care care to the residents of Appalachia in Southeastern Kentucky. Since that time, they have added many more programs.

The Mission is guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ and ministers to the whole person. They seek to enable persons to experience a more abundant, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical life by providing spiritual, educational, health and social service ministries.

Additional information can be found by visiting the Red Bird Mission Web page .

Copyright © 2007, Hibben United Methodist Church

Hibben United Methodist Church
Kathryn O. Hunter and James C. Hunter, Pastors · 690 Coleman Blvd. · Mt. Pleasant SC · 843-884-9761 · FAX 843-884-2091