UMC Campus Connections is a new ministry that helps United Methodist churches in Huntsville collaborate to offer food and a spiritual community for local college students. Recently, the group held a dorm food drive and delivered 319 bags of snacks and meals to students at Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville during final exams.
Cheyenne and Haley Stone, members of Holmes Street United Methodist Church, started this initiative to build new connections for future campus ministry in Huntsville.
Cheyenne explains, “Back in October, my sister Haley and I kick-started a group that we've called UMC Campus Connections (UMCCC) here in the Huntsville area. What started as throwing around some ideas over lunch with Rev. Rachel McKelvey Boggs (Associate Pastor) at Huntsville First UMC back in October has turned into a connectional and collaborative campus-ministry effort in the area that we are continuing to work towards building and growing.”
UMC Campus Connections aims to bring local churches and campus life closer together. The ministry received a matching grant from the North Alabama Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry and is now building networks to have an on-campus presence by fall 2026.
November Food Drive
The November food drive helped meet students’ needs during finals, when food insecurity often increases. Several local churches joined together to collect donations:
- Holmes Street United Methodist Church: Contributed 168 food bags through donations and cash gifts.
- Huntsville First United Methodist Church: Provided 76 bags and hosted a volunteer packing event.
- Lakewood United Methodist Church: Donated 75 bags to the cause.
- Ford’s Chapel United Methodist Church: Participated in the planning and coordination of the project.
Volunteers brought the supplies to Alabama A&M University on December 3 and to the University of Alabama in Huntsville on December 5, ensuring students had what they needed before exams began.
Become a part of this exciting new ministry
In 2026, UMC Campus Connections leaders plan to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones with Huntsville’s colleges and United Methodist churches. Their main goals are:
- Feeding college students who face food insecurity.
- Providing a student-based United Methodist community.
- Responding to individual student needs.
- Connecting young adults with local United Methodist congregations.
The group welcomes other individuals and congregations in the Huntsville area to join in. Pastors and lay members are invited to join a leadership committee and share what resources their church can offer to support this ministry with students.
Your Generosity Helps Others
By supporting your local congregation’s outreach ministries, you impact lives of your surrounding communities and those around the world. No matter what part of the world we live in, your generosity can reach across oceans and help churches like Holmes Street United Methodist Church help those that are less fortunate.
North Alabama Conference staff
This story represents how United Methodist local churches through their Annual Conferences are living as Vital Congregations. The overarching purpose of The United Methodist Church is to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." A vital congregation is one that is effectively engaged in this mission. Together, we become a powerful force for healing, growth, and transformation—living out the Gospel in every corner of the globe.
