SERVE OTHERS OVERVIEW

The Mission Links Awards are awarded to churches within the Northern Illinois Conference that have given 100% of their apportionments and supported a project in each of the 7 giving areas (Special Sundays, Global Advance Projects, Missionary Support, UMCOR/Emergency Relief Projects, U.S.-Based Advances, NIC Conference Projects, and NIC District Projects).

The Philip Otterbein Award is given to the church with the  Highest Total Mission Link Giving. Kingswood has been honored to receive this award in 2024 and 2025 because of the generosity and deep commitment to supporting others.

Our Food Pantry provides food on an emergency basis to families and individuals from Wheeling Township and surrounding suburbs.  Through the generous donations of food items from Kingswood and other community members, we are able to serve 40-60 families each week. 

PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) is our ministry to homeless brothers and sisters in the area. We serve individuals and families by offering meals and shelter. 

Gifts For All God's Children is a ministry that provides Christmas gifts for local children in need.  Sponsor one or more children and brighten their Christmas season with a gift. 

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provides relief, response and long-term recovery grants to those who suffer from natural or human-caused disasters. 

New Beginnings Thrift Store is an on-site shop next door to Kingswood at Manna House on the Buffalo Grove campus.  The Thrift Store has a dual mission: to give back to Kingswood by raising funds for its ministries, and to give back to the wider community by offering a financially accessible, welcoming place to shop. 

The Lap Robe Ministry meets in the Sewing Room at the Deerfield campus the fourth Tuesday of each month from 9 am to noon (exceptions are third Tuesdays in November/December). Lap Robes are lap-sized blankets that are used to keep nursing home residents warm. No advanced sewing skills are needed. If you can sew a straight line, you can make a lap robe!  You can also cut and organize fabric.  All of the materials and sewing machines are provided in the Sewing Room on the lower level at the Deerfield campus.  Coffee and snacks are provided. Contact Kim Goldberg or Susan Kenski-Sroka to learn more.

 Feed My Starving Children is called to feed God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit. Kingswood participates in a meal packing event each year.  Contact Kate Lapetino to learn more.

Kingswood provides volunteers in February and July for meal deliveries to those who are elderly or disabled.  Prepared meals are picked up at Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights .  Contact Wendy Avner for further information.

Twice a year, we provide care packages to help us stay connected with our college-aged young adults and those in the military.  Contact Sheri Brubeck if you would like to sponsor or request a care package.

Harvest Fest is an annual community and church event with free admission that offers seasonal fun for the whole family. It is generously supported by many Kingswood groups and includes free outdoor activities like games, entertainment and pumpkin decorating.  Contact Jenn Sawyer to get involved.

Paint-A-Thon is an annual event that serves older or disabled homeowners of single-family residences who are financially disadvantaged and physically unable to paint their homes themselves.  Reach out to Mark Rohde for details.

The Medical Lending Closet Vernon Township has medical equipment to lend including walkers, crutches, canes, wheelchairs, toilet risers, shower chairs and more. Donations of clean, gently used equipment are also appreciated upon approval. Contact Beth Messina to learn more. 

We have fully functioning library with many newly-released books for all ages and a wide variety of genres. This is a free resource made available to the church community by generous donors. If you're interested in checking out a book from the library, you can do so on Sundays from 10-10:30am.  Reach out to Cheri Stark, our librarian, to learn more.

Kingswood is part of the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council, a group that gives people an opportunity to share our commonalities and, at the same time, honor our religious differences.  The council holds an annual interfaith Thanksgiving service, in addition to other events that address community-wide issues.  Visit the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council to learn more.

The Kingswood Mission Team hosts a one week-long adult mission trip each year to help with home repairs or rebuilding efforts in impoverished or disaster-stricken areas. These “work camps” are often within a one-day’s drive from the Chicago area, welcome volunteers with any number of spiritual gifts, and can be a transformational experience for participants. Contact Kate Lapetino to learn more.

Summer Youth Mission Trips typically include a  variety of projects including construction, painting, working in the soup kitchen and food pantry through various mission trip organizations and to various locations. These trips are open to graduated 6th grade graduates through recent high school graduates.  Contact Kate Lapetino and visit our Kingswood Youth Ministry page to learn more.

Kingswood is committed to serving the community by helping the students at Kilmer and Whitman, local elementary schools.  In August we hold a school supplies collection drive and in December we accept additional donations for school supplies, as well as hats and mittens.  Reach out to Kate Lapetino for further information.

Kingswood participates in the Illinois Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway program.  We demonstrate our commitment to the community and the environment by picking up trash for a mile-long stretch on Dundee Road.  Contact Kate Lapetino to learn more.

Sacred Threads is a ministry of the United Methodist Women at Kingswood. This group knits prayer shawls for members and friends in need of comfort, and makes lap robes for nursing home residents.  Contact Susan Kenski-Sroka if you're interested in this ministry.

Kingswood Youth supports Northwest Suburban Special Olympics every year by providing workers and athlete care during the spring meet each year. Held at Prospect High School, hundreds of athletes from around the northwest suburbs participate. Kingswood youth and adults provide direction, support, and care for the event.  Contact Kate Lapetino to learn more.

Kingswood participates in the annual Buffalo Grove Days parade over Labor Day weekend.  The parade allows us to be visible and welcoming in the community.  Contact Pastor James if you wish to be part of this fun event.