The Mission Committee,
appointed by the Board of Directors, meets monthly to plan and promote
the various mission programs of our church and of the greater United
Church of Christ. Our purpose is to support our church`s involvement in
mission, so that as a congregation of believers we may provide
increasing service to one another, to our community, our nation, and
our world. In 2008, our church participated in the following scheduled
collections and mission activities:
January: Blanket Sunday/Tools
for Hope providing funding for individuals/communities in crisis in
America and world-wide.
March: One Great Hour of
Sharing supporting the work of the UCC, working with international
partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and
health care, and supporting domestic and international ministries for
disaster preparedness and response.
June: Strengthen the
Church providing funding for new church starts and invigorating
existing congregations, and nurturing lay and pastoral leadership.
September: Neighbors in
Need funding the church`s justice work in communities throughout the
nation. October: SERRV Bazaar offering handcrafts from artisans in
developing regions around the world, improving their lives by offering
them fair wages for their crafts.
November: Thanksgiving
Basket project -- 17 baskets assembled and delivered to local families
in need. December: Mitten Tree project -- Dozens of hats, scarves,
mittens and socks distributed by the Salvation Army and Shelter, Inc.
December: Christmas
offering which supports retired clergy in need of assistance. Ongoing:
Feed-a-Family project -- Numerous bags of groceries donated each month,
and delivered to the Salvation Army to needy Alpena families.
In December of 2008
the Mission Committee approved a special large commitment of mission
funds to Call Us For Help, founded by local churches and administered
by the Salvation Army, providing assistance to Alpena families who have
special needs during this difficult time.
We continue to enjoy
communication exchanges with Elena Hugel, our Missionary friend
assisting in development of the Shalon Center, an educational/retreat
center in the mountains of Chile, and also with friends made over the
years from our sister church in Germany.
