Outreach
In our baptismal covenant we promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons”
In our baptismal covenant we promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons”, loving our neighbors as ourselves and “to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons,
loving your neighbor as yourself?
This the root of our Outreach and the root of our lives as Christians: we follow the example of Jesus in caring for the sick and the poor, the outcast and the forgotten. Our church buildings, once surrounded by the large Victorian residences of affluent people, are now in the midst of a neighborhood of poverty and working poor people, dwelling in mansions that have been carved into apartments.
You shall surely open your hand to your brother, your needy, and your poor in your land.” (Deuteronomy 18:11).
Despite a global pandemic, our Outreach Committee with the support of parishioners continues to do just this.
FOOD BOX PROGRAM: 2020 forced us to become more creative. We continued to meet the emergency needs of our neighborhood schools and identified specific families and seniors in need. Partnering with C4 Yourself Church together we packed boxes of food to ensure these families and seniors’ needs would be met on a weekly basis. The content of the weekly boxes was expanded to include cleaning supplies, paper products and items not covered by food stamps. In addition, Thanksgiving baskets, winter coats, and mittens provided at an annual Chili and Coat event. 2021 has not seen an end to the need in our area. We continue our collaboration with C4 Yourself Church and our weekly box and special event programs.
ERRAND MINISTRY: The Outreach Committee responds to the transportation needs of our parishioners. We follow Covid-19 guidelines and safely continue to meet the needs of those who request support. Those who need transportation are taken to hospital visits, doctor appointments, grocery needs, etc.
COMMUNITY GARDEN: 2020 was our first year to join with Plainsong Farms, Rockford, MI., and 49 other churches across Western and Eastern Michigan grow food in a community garden. The program focused on how the Bible links people, health, food, and justice. As well as supplying many pounds of fresh produce for our weekly box program, our Garden became a place of worship, providing quiet for prayer and reflection and even an occasional space for friends to meet safely. Plans are in the works for the 2022 garden.