Justice, Witness and Mission Ministry
Webster was dubbed by a past minister as “the little church with a big heart."
Outreach is Webster’s opportunity to act as the “hands and feet of God." Our outreach has 3 parts: local, national and international. All our missions are focused on “doing for the least of these in our midst”(Matthew 25)
Local
M.I.S.S.I.O.N.
We have for years worked in various ways to support the major volunteer agency serving the homeless in the Ann Arbor /Ypsilanti area. Currently we cooperate with other local churches in serving a quarterly Sunday evening meal at Hill House. We also work with their adjunct service, Peace House.
Webster’s Advent giving is most often to MISSION and varies from cash gifts to warm clothing for Mission’s clients.
Faith In Action (F.I.A.)
A volunteer agency that provides free food and clothing to the Dexter and Chelsea communities. Donations of food and clothing are gathered at Webster and delivered to FIA.
Webster Community Garden
The garden began in 2003 on a portion of the farm acreage that Webster has. It consists of six raised beds that are planted and harvested each year by Webster volunteers .Produce is harvested at the end of the growing season and donated to Food Gatherers. A typical season’s yield provides up to 500 pounds of fresh produce to add to local food pantries.
Over its many years of helping to feed the hungry, the garden has also been a source of friendship, stewardship and love.
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Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center:
A non-profit organization formed by a consortium of Michigan United Church of Christ members and ministers. Camp Talahi has played a vital role in supporting youth and outdoor ministry. For detailed information and camp schedules ,go to:http://camptalahi.org
Many camper scholarships are available. Contact the church office for further information.
National
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Webster gives annually to the greater UCC’s Neighbors in Need, Veterans of the Cross and One Great Hour of Sharing.
International
The Ghana Ministry was begun in 2002 with a visit to this interesting African country and in particular to a UNHCR Refugee Camp, Sanzule in the Western Region. We have done a number of projects over the years starting with two different micro-economic projects at the camp, raising funds to send a total of 16 refugee young people to either a trade school or secondary school. And the biggest: raising funds to finance 11 fresh water wells beginning with the camp and the neighboring village, then in conjunction with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana providing wells for 9 other remote villages.
Currently and since 2010, Webster raises funds to send $500/month to the Sanzule Emergency Food Fund which feeds an average of 85 people per month who are identified as medically vulnerable and unable to work. This includes HIV+ mothers and infants, the elderly and disabled.
Since its inception there have been a total of 50 different individuals who have made this faith journey.
As is often said we receive more than we could ever give by witnessing the abiding, strong faith of this group of war refugees…
We will be thinking about and planning a future trip whenever safe travel permits…
Won’t you join us?
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Contact the church office to get in touch with the outreach chair
REACH
(Racial Equity and Community Harmony)
Reach is Webster’s opportunity “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8).
REACH is built on the belief that Jesus calls us to be one in Love. The people in REACH strive to examine uncomfortable truths to help us understand the racial/ethnic divide in our country and the ways in which we all contribute to systemic racism. We are dedicated to educating ourselves, meaningful interaction with our church family, educational outreach to the community and most of all action designed to bring about genuine systemic change.
Some recent REACH activities have included: Sponsoring a BLACK LIVES MATTER United Church of Christ banner which is displayed in front of the church; a presence at BLM marches in our local communities; a visual study of our brothers who have been killed by police; sponsoring a monthly movie with discussion (First Friday Film Festival), a congregational read, inclusive worship ideas and a variety of congregational educational opportunities.
Our goal is to be led by God - to open our eyes and do our part in liberating both the oppressed and the oppressors in our society to the glory of our Savior. We’d love to have you join us with your hopes, dreams and ideas for the united world God intends. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month.
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Contact the webster.reach@gmail.com to get in touch with the REACH chair.