Upper Sand Mountain Parish

The Upper Sand Mountain Parish is a cooperative ministry of ten small-membership, rural United Methodist Churches serving approximately 1000 square miles of Southern Appalachian Alabama, mainly on Sand Mountain. The cooperative seeks to strengthen member congregations that they may better serve their members and to provide local and global opportunities for them and others to become involved in service and community development ministries.

Ministries

Better Way Shoppes

The parish operates two Better Way Shoppes that are thrift stores. The main goal of this ministry is to provide employ people in the local community while also Providing low-cost goods to everyone. There are three shoppes, two in Sylvania and one in Rainsville.

Heart and Hand Homes

The "Heart and Hand" Housing Ministry's main goal is to provide safe, comfortable and affordable housing for Sand Mountain area families. Families who are selected cannot show the required repayment capabilities needed to qualify for low-interest loan programs.

Priority is given to families with children. The "rent-to-own", interest-free program enables families to achieve increased levels of stability as they move forward towards home ownership. Over the past twenty-plus years the program has constructed 44 houses with almost 100 children living with their families in these homes. Families pay between US$50-$250 monthly on rent-to-own agreements.

Green Tomato Products

The parish makes Green Tomato jams and products in its cannery. Profits used from these items help support the different ministries of the parish. These jams were featured in the July 2001 issue of Southern Living ("Sharing the fruits of fellowship") and are sold in Montgomery, the state capital.