Outreach: Missions & social justice
Ministry Jubilee 2008
Ministry Jubilee is an opportunity for designated giving to mission and ministry projects sponsored by the Detroit Annual Conference and its covenant partners. One hundred percent of your Ministry Jubilee contribution goes to these designated projects. Please take time to read about the many projects that we, the members of West Side, are pledged to support in 2008. Your gift to Ministry Jubilee can help transform lives locally, statewide, and across the globe.
Baldwin Avenue Church and Center – The Baldwin Center offers programs to feed, clothe, educate and empower the men, women and children in the community of Pontiac. Programs for all ages include: Soup kitchen, clothing closet, counseling, day care, after school and summer youth programs, and holiday programs. Baldwin Church and Center is an anchor of hope for the hungry, homeless and disadvantaged
Cass Community Social Services – Cass Community offers a wide range of unique urban outreach ministries. These include: Aging services for senior citizens, foodservices for the hungry, homeless services for men, women and children, medical/dental services for the uninsured, socialization and recreation services for people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities, vocational services for the unemployed, as well as services for “at risk” children and youth. Thousands of poor people rely on Cass for basic necessities each month. Hundreds use the agency as a springboard for positive life changes.
El Buen Pastor – El Buen Pastor is one of the Hispanic ministries in southwest of Detroit providing a local congregation with community center services. Like the Good Shepherd, it shares the love of God in worship, Bible study, and congregational activities that include a health clinic for women, parenting classes, leadership training and services to immigrants from Latin American countries. Its outreach ministries include a food, clothing and furniture bank, as well as translation with lawyers and doctors. Its work constantly changes due to an awareness of the needs of the surrounding community.
The Neighborhood House – The Neighborhood House serves as a safe haven and a place of hope for the poor in the Flint community. Services include after- school tutoring, activities and snacks, a summer day camp program, a food distribution program, Kid’s Cafe, a computer lab providing training for students and seniors, and also serves as a “pass through” agency for utility payments for people in need. Volunteers and staff minister to the whole person; body, mind and spirit, as a way to demonstrate the gospel in action.
N.O.A.H. Project – Networking, Organizing and Advocacy for Health (N.O.A.H.) assists people in the heart of downtown Detroit at Central UMC, suffering from mental illnesses, substance abuse, lack of affordable housing, etc., a comprehensive array of services such as mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse counseling, physical health assessments, assistance with transportation, clothing, prescriptions, hygiene items, etc., including referrals to other area service providers. With the help of over 65 Detroit area churches and civic groups the N.O.A.H. Project serves over 30,000 meals to our brothers and sisters in need, but more importantly assists thousands of people in addressing the root causes of their struggles through the work of a compassionate and empowering staff.
P.E.A.C.E. for Youth – P.E.A.C.E. (Programs of Education, Athletics and Creative Endeavors) for Youth is a federally supported (Neighborhood Opportunity Fund) program whose primary focus is the development of “peace makers” in the midst of violent communities, schools, and homes. Middle school age youth are engaged in practical tutorial programs, offered non-violent and conflict resolution training, and a safe environment to express, relate and respond to the often- violent circumstances in which they live. P.E.A.C.E. for Youth offers practical education to youth and their families who seek to learn and implement non-violent resolutions to systematic, institutional and often racially motivated inhibitors to non-violent living.
Urban Children & Youth Initiatives – The Children and Youth Initiative provide seed money to congregations that are seeking to initiate new programs for the children and youth of their neighborhood and community. Grants are provided for one year with the Alliance having the option to renew them. Examples of the ministries accomplished in the past with these grants include: A ministry to children and men at Henderson Memorial UMC, services to children, youth, and their families through Rites of Passage program, liturgical dance, and parenting classes at Conant Avenue UMC. Family and youth ministries at Southfield Hope and Oak Park Faith UMC’s, that included parenting education, youth development, delinquency prevention, and divorce concerns. An after-school advancement program linking recreation, fellowship, and faith with academic support at Westland St. James UMC.
Saganing Indian Church – The Saganing Indian Church is another historically Native American congregation in our Conference. Saganing Church has a steady ministry. Monetary support is needed for educational and youth ministry.
Bread for the World – Bread for the World (BFW) is a nonpartisan group of Christians that work toward seeking justice and ending hunger by helping to recommend the shaping of United States policies that address the root causes of domestic/world hunger and relief. The causes of hunger are the world’s worst form of injustice. BFW is an UMCOR Advance Special. Christian citizens movements, organized through BFW, mobilize congregational action to release U.S. budget resources to provide nutritional programs, welfare reform resulting in food aid, sustainable development, and policy changes to end hunger.
Swords Into Plowshares – Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center & Gallery, located at 33 East Adams, Detroit, is in ministry through art exhibits, programming, community outreach, promotion, and participation in the peace and social justice movement. Swords Into Plowshares mission is to inspire and transform people’s thinking and actions through the arts to bring about peaceful and just communities throughout the world.
United Methodist Communities - Benevolent Care Fund – A cornerstone of the United Methodist Retirement Communities since our establishment in 1906, the Benevolent Care Fund provides financial assistance to residents of Boulevard Temple and Chelsea Retirement Community. For a century we have maintained our founders’ covenant that no resident shall be asked to leave if they, through no fault of their own, have outlived their financial resources. Many of our residents in financial need are also our most vulnerable residents, living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and memory loss at UMRC’s Towsley Village on the Chelsea campus. With more people than ever before living well into their 80’s and 90’s the risk of Alzheimer’s or other dementia, increases as well. Our residents, who require increased care as they age, live out their lives in comfort and security thanks to the charitable gifts we receive.
Accessibility Grants – Accessibility grants provide money to local churches that help to fund changes to make a building handicap accessible such as rest room adaptations, elevators, ramps, listening devices, and making all programs - including worship - available to all persons.
Methodist Children’s Home Society – Since 1917 Methodist Children’s Home, the only United Methodist child caring and placing agency in Michigan, has been charged with the care of one of our most precious resources — our children! They are the innocent victims of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; often at the hands of the people they love and trust the most. Each year, more than 300 children and families receive services through Residential and Foster Care Programs, Adoption, and Book Partners Mentor/Tutor Program.
New Life Community Center Helping Hands Community Thrift Shop – The Helping Hands Thrift Store is an outreach of the Caseville UMC. It provides low cost and free clothing to the community, assistance to families with heating bills, electric bills, telephone bills, prescriptions, food vouchers, a food pantry, and provides free of charge other necessities to those in need in the upper thumb area of Michigan.
Albion College Spiritual Life Program – Founded by and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Albion College fosters spiritual development in the context of John Wesley’s devotion to knowledge and vital piety. The Office of the Chaplain coordinates religious life throughout the campus, wherein the faith journeys of students, faculty, and staff are nurtured, challenged, and empowered. Weekly worship services on campus, and multiple worship connections in the area, help feed the flock. Student religious organizations, sacred music opportunities, a spiritual leadership initiative, a newsletter, and a variety of academic courses help people develop into mature faith.
Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan – The Wesley Foundation at the U of M has been a faith community for students on campus for more than 120 years. Embodying God’s love, we strive to connect the journey of the faith with the quest for knowledge in challenging and affirming ways that reflect our uniquely Wesleyan understanding of God’s grace. We are in ministry to young adults at a crucial time in their development. Spiritual formation, service to others, and socialization are central to our ministry that reaches far beyond the boundaries of Ann Arbor. Students move on to become leaders and best in living out their vocation in a variety of lay and ordained ministries in communities and churches throughout our global parish.
Camps for the Mentally and Physically Challenged – Each summer the Board of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries offers several weeks of camping for these special populations. These opportunities for spiritual renewal, friendship, recreation, and family respite are, in many cases, the only “outside” opportunities for these campers. Extra costs for providing these programs include (but are not limited to) higher staff ratios, special medical supplies, outside resource people, and accessible facilities. Your gift will help underwrite the expense of this very special ministry and keep the cost to the campers affordable.
Samaritan Counseling Services – Samaritan Counseling Services, a pastoral counseling service affiliated with the Samaritan Initiative, provides individuals, couples, family, and child therapy, and serves Washtenaw, Livingston, and western Wayne County congregations. Trained both clinically and theologically, Samaritan caregivers believe psychotherapy can be made more powerful by including activities that promote spiritual life: prayer, meditation, ethical reflection, and participation in a faith community.