Community Ministry is looking for volunteers to serve on the Washington School Neighbors Board, participate on the Caring for Creation Task Force, help run the 2016 Think Hope Spring fundraiser, and serve on Community Ministry. If you are interested in volunteering for one of these roles or want more information, contact Lois Maassen, chair of Community Ministry.
Community Ministry informs, engages and supports Hope Church members in living our mission statement “to be a servant of the human community.” Our focus is to encourage Christian action and mission in our community. We manage 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, healthcare, education and more. For example:
- Good Samaritan Ministries, Community Action House, Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity and Jubilee Ministries for housing, hunger, economic well-being and independence
- 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
- Kids Hope mentoring program and CASA after-school tutoring program for education
Community Ministry is Hope Church’s liaison to Washington School Neighbors. It was launched through Good Samaritan’s Neighborhood Connections program, which seeks to build community, safety, and engagement. See updates and learn more at WashingtonSchoolNeighbors.com.
Community Ministry is also home to Hope Church’s Caring for Creation Task Force, connecting spirituality and the environment. It provides ways to learn about and engage with our environment in community. They also provide resources so that we can consume and recycle more responsibly to nurture and enhance God’s creation.
Community Ministry wants to hear about your community-building work, which informs us, helps us set priorities and accomplish our mission for Hope Church. Contact any of the Community Ministry members: Doug Abell, Joe Arevalo, Judy Bultman, David DeBlock, Lois Maassen (chair), David Myers, Anne Saliers and Gordon Wiersma.
~Anne Saliers, Community Ministry member