Be The Church
Join us on Sunday, May 3rd for Be The Church 2026!
On Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, we will join together to serve and Be the Church!
Shady Grove UMC, Enon UMC, New Song UMC and Mechanicsville UMC will join together for one brief worship service at 9 a.m. in the gym to prepare us to do service projects out in our community or work on projects within the church that will have a positive impact. We'll return between 12:30 and 2 to have lunch in the gym and celebrate God’s work and our experiences. Sunday School will not meet.
Before and during this day our churches will give donations for the day, pray for our church and community, and grow together as disciples in mission. It will be a day to truly be God’s hands in the community and be witnesses of God’s love. There are projects for every age and ability level, and friends and families are welcome. Childcare (infants - 4 years old) will be provided in the church nursery until 1 p.m. Sign up anytime online or during coffee time on Sunday!
A list of donations and current projects are included here and will be updated online regularly! Keep us in your prayers as we prepare for this event!
Check this space for information about how YOU can be a part of this incredible day or worship, mission, and fellowship!
Be the Church Day Information & Schedule:
Date: Sun., May 3rd, 2026, 9am - 12:30pm (Lunch 12-2pm)
Location: Shady Grove UMC Welcome Center (Mechanicsville), 8209 Shady Grove Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111 (We will start at SGUMC and then off- site project volunteers will go to their project sites)
Schedule:
8:30am - Check In & Registration (Child Care available for ages 4 & under, 8:45am - 1pm)
9:00am - Brief Worship & Communion
9:30am - Dismiss to Project Sites
- Project details will be sent out to registrants the week of April 26th.
9:30-10:00am - Begin Projects
12:30pm - Projects End (Please pick up children from Child Care no later than 1pm)
12:30- 2:00 pm - Fellowship & Celebration Lunch (at SGUMC), Jersey Mike's Subs will be provided (*Remember to make your food selection on your registration form)
Child Care:
Child care will be available for children ages 4 and under. Please register your child/children by completing the child care section on the registration form. Thank you! Please direct any questions about child care to Becky Roberts. Please see below for Becky's contact info:
Becky Roberts, beckyroberts@shadygroveumc.org, Director of Connections, Children, and Family Ministries at Shady Grove United Methodist Church (Mechanicsville)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS…
What is Be the Church Day?
On Be the Church Day, our 4 local congregations: Shady Grove UMC, Mechanicsville UMC, Enon UMC and New Song UMC will come together to worship, fellowship and serve alongside one another to share the love of Jesus throughout our local community. We hope you will join in service with us & invite a friend too!
What is the date, time and location of Be the Church Day?
Date: Sun., May 3rd, 9am - 12:30pm (*We encourage all to arrive between 8:30-8:45)
Location: Shady Grove UMC, 8209 Shady Grove Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Be the Church Day Questions/Information:
Mary Elder, Shady Grove UMC, maryelder@shadygroveumc.org
Heather Shaheen, New Song UMC, hshaheen96@gmail.com
Wayne Cutright, Mechanicsville UMC, jwcdhc@aol.com
Child Care: Available for 4 years old and under
Child Care Registration…Register your child/children by completing the Child Care section of the registration form.
For Child Care Questions/Information: Becky Roberts at beckyroberts@shadygroveumc.org
What is the schedule for the Be the Church Day?
8:30am - Arrive to SGUMC
9am - Brief Worship & Communion
9:30am - Dismiss to Projects
10:00am - Begin Projects
12:30pm - Dismiss from Projects. Thank you for serving!
12:30-2pm - Return to Shady Grove for Food & Fellowship (child care ends at 1pm)
What should I wear and bring to my project site?
Wear weather and project appropriate clothing
Bring your drinks and snacks you may need
Supplies: Bring items appropriate for your chosen project (yard tools, work gloves, etc.)
Do I need to do anything prior to Be the Church Day?
Register & Invite Others: https://bit.ly/BTCVolunteer2026
What projects can I serve with on Be the Church Day?
*Please note: Project specific information will be sent by email to you the week of April 26th, 2026
Donations are still needed for Be the Church Day (no longer sorting by last name):
Deodorant- especially men's (Blessing Bags & Veterans)
Disposable Razors (Veterans)
Word Search books (Veterans)
Disinfecting wipes (Teachers)
Hand sanitizer bottles (Teachers)
Packs of gum (First Responders)
Peanut Butter jars (Christian Village)
Individually wrapped snacks (Christian Village)
Mini lotion bottles (Blessing Bags)
Individual Hand Sanitizer (Blessing Bags)
Dawn detergent or hydrogen peroxide (Hanover Animal Shelter)
Kitten toys (Animal Shelter)
Beggin strips (Animal Shelter)
Paper Towels (Many projects)
What projects can I serve with on Be the Church Day?
*Please note: Project specific information will be sent by email to you the week of April 26th, 2026
Landscaping/Mulching/Yardwork/Firewood Projects (outdoors):
Shineforth (UMFS)
Mechanicsville Elementary School (MES)
Cold Harbor Elementary School (CHES)
Heart Havens
Christian Village
Hanover Adult Center
Organizing/Cleaning/Painting Projects (indoors):
Cold Harbor Elementary School (CHES)
Mechanicsville Elementary School (MES)
Outreach Projects:
Loads of Love
Blessing Bags for First Responders
Restaurant Gift Card Distribution
Spring Caroling to Senior Living
McGuire's Veteran Hospital Bingo and Pizza
On-Site Projects (located at Shady Grove UMC)
Teacher Appreciation Gift Packing
Children's Hospital of Richmond Blessing Bags
Moments of Hope Outreach Snack Bags
CARITAS Furniture Build
Knitting & Crocheting
Blessing Bags for Voices of Jubilee
Blessing Bags/Gifts for Seniors - Homebound, Feed Seniors, Cards, etc.
Prayer Stones for Blessing Bags (Christian Village, Senior Gifts, Homeless and other bags)
Teams Needed to Help Prepare for the Day’s Events (Ages 6+)
Set-up Team for Be the Church Day— Gather at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 2nd to set up.
Transition Team— Transition gym from morning worship to lunch.
Take Down Team— Put tables and chairs away after lunch Sunday.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING & SHARING GOD’S LOVE ON BE THE CHURCH DAY!
Let’s keep Being the Church every day!
We are grateful for every helping hand and every heart that has made all of our previous Be The Church days incredible successes. Amen! Check back soon for more information about Be the Church Day 2026!