Kids Hope USA is a partnership with Parkview Elementary School. This mentoring program matches one adult church member for one hour a week with one child at school and with one prayer partner at church. The object is simply to show an at-risk child that someone cares enough to show up each week and talk, play games or just be there.
Many of our church family are passionate about Habitat for Humanity. There’s an active small group busy raising money and contributing labor to Habitat. We helped sponsor a Habitat house in 2007, the second year of our program.
An annual Easter Egg Hunt is a popular, joyful event we love to sponsor as we witness the exuberance of neighborhood children whose parents bring them to our building at Wyoming Avenue and Porter Street. Over 800 eggs are typically hidden and found.
Every summer we sponsor a Vacation Bible school for toddlers through fifth grade. This community-oriented week of Christian education helps put us on the map as a church that cares about the children who live near our church.
On Halloween we sponsor “Trunk-R-Treat”, an alternative for neighborhood parents who wish to bring their children to our safe, well-lit parking lot lined with church members’ cars overflowing with delicious candy and a friendly welcome.
SECOM (South End Community Outreach Ministries) is a favorite mission that we support through gifts of non-perishable foods, by volunteering ourselves, and by sharing our financial support. SECOM provides a variety of assistance programs for residents of southeast Grand Rapids.
We have a ministry team of handy persons who take on work projects. Similar to Habitat for Humanity construction projects, these tend to be small home repair or rehabilitation projects. There is no restriction on the type of project and our crew stands ready to respond at the next call for help.
UCOM (United Church Outreach Ministry) is similar to SECOM, and focuses on the neighborhoods of southwest Grand Rapids and Wyoming. There are opportunities for hands on volunteering there as well.
Our “Simple Blessings” monthly dinners (September through May) raise funds for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, an emergency needs fund disbursed under the direction of our pastor. A wonderful by-product is the great community-building meal that goes along with the good food. The meals are sponsored totally by volunteers who set up, bring and prepare a generous meal, and clean up after dinner.
“Wrapped in Love” is the name of our prayer shawl ministry. A group of women meet twice a month to knit beautiful shawls that are then given to people in need of comfort within and outside the church family. In worship, each shawl is dedicated with a congregational prayer. (Link to request a shawl)
Our quilting ministry is called “PieceMakers”, meeting weekly to sew quilts which are then brought to worship where the congregation dedicates the quilts by tying knots and praying for the recipients of the quilts. Every person baptized at Wyoming Park receives a Baptism Quilt tied by members of the congregation.
“L.I.F.E.” is a weekly group which integrates Bible study, low-impact exercise, prayer, fellowship and lunch. This group meets one day a week at lunch time for low impact exercise, lunch and Bible study. L.I.F.E. is Learning, Interacting, Friendly, Experiences.
Lay Pastor Ministry is a system of intentional Christian care-giving by lay persons who offer support and encouragement to a small group. Lay Pastors complete training and commit to one year of continuing education and monthly supervision. Our long-range goal is that every member will belong to a group of people who learn to share the pastoral care of our entire congregation through participation in a group. For information contact Rev. Bill Johnson, wcj47@comcast.net.
Our
youth program attracts 6th through 12th graders within our church family as well as the neighborhood.
Our team of adult advisors provides weekly guidance in Christian
fellowship, fun and outreach. On Sunday mornings a junior high and a
senior high class meet for Christian education. contact Jen Castro,
Youth Coordinator for details (DuneBug_96@yahoo.com).
Employment Assistance is available on Wednesday evenings in our "Looking for Work" support group. Resources are shared and opportunities to explore jobs in your field of interest are a means of encouragement for participants. Contact Linda Prentice for more information: 616.532.7624.
Contact the church office for more information and for contact persons on any of the above ministries. 616.532-7624, or wpumc@comcast.net
