The Community Ministry at Hope Church
This the first of a new series of highlights on ministries at Hope Church, intended to be sure our members are aware of how things happen and their opportunities to engage with the ministry of the church.
The Community Ministry informs, engages, and supports Hope Church members as we live our mission statement, specifically “to be a servant to the human community.”
Our focus is to encourage Christian action and mission: to unleash the gifts that Hope Church can give to others and relationships that can be formed outside of Hope Church. We aim not only to spread the Word, but to make our world a more loving and caring place. In collaboration with the Board of Deacons and the Reconciliation Ministry, the Community Ministry manages benevolent giving on behalf of our congregation, in addition to planning events and ongoing programs.
Our community giving is typically to local ecumenical and cooperative agencies that address needs for food, housing, health care, education, and more, including, for example:
- Good Samaritan Ministries and Community Action House for housing, hunger, and other issues related to economic well-being and independence (The 10th Street House, part of the Community Housing Partnership providing transitional homes, is also under the Community Ministry umbrella.)
- The Holland Community Health Center, Free Health Clinic, and Lakeshore Parish Nurse Program for health care
- Center for Women in Transition for domestic violence prevention
- Special Education Ministries and Camp Sunshine for support of those with disabilities
- The CASA after-school tutoring program (and our own Kids Hope mentoring program) for education
The Community Ministry is Hope Church’s liaison to the Neighborhood Connections program, which often provides updates through the newsletter and is just beginning its second year as a new approach to community engagement.
The Community Ministry also provides an organizational home for the Caring for Creation Task Force at Hope Church. That team informs and engages members about ways to engage with our environment and consume more responsibly to nurture and enhance God’s creation.
Opportunities for participation with the Community Ministry occur throughout the year, with the high point being the Think Hope auction event in May. Watch the newsletter and website for announcements of volunteer activities. The Community Ministry is also interested to hear from members about their own community-building work, which informs us, helps us set priorities among all of the many choices that must be made, and occasionally enables us to support a special event or project. Contact any of the Community Ministry members: Doug Abell, Peter Boogaart, Kathy Brownson, Judy Bultman, David DeBlock, Teresa Housel, Lois Maassen (chair), David Myers, and Anne Saliers.