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
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Monthly In-Gatherings
Each month we collect items on behalf of local non-profit organizations for those in need. These organizations include:
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Michigan Foster Care Closet
Peace House (part of MISSION)
Faith In Action Dexter/Chelsea
Blavin Scholars Program of U-M
Detroit Rescue Mission
Alpha House
Delonis Center, Ann Arbor
and more.
Other Outreach Efforts
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Annual local toy drives
Annual coat drive, in cooperation with Reinhart Realtors
Special requests by various organizations/churches
Ghana Mission
Washtenaw Congregational Sanctuary (for Migrant/Immigration advocacy)
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.
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.
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 is the primary international Ministry for Webster Church and has been in existence since 2006 initiated under the leadership of Rev. LaVerne Gill. She initiated this ministry after a fact-finding trip to Ghana.
Over the years this ministry has created several services and activities on behalf of the 1500-2000 refugees who reside at the UNHCR Refugee Camp named Sanzule in the Western Region of Ghana. Projects were initially designed to help the refugees develop some micro-economic projects to gain a measure of independence. Major examples are the women’s sewing circle, and the men’s jewelry-making endeavor. We also supported 18 refugee scholarship students to attend a secondary school in the community. Initially the main population at Sanzule were refugees from the diamond wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. UNHCR then ordered that population to leave the camp once that war was resolved. The next major influx of people were refugees from the Sudanese wars which continue currently. In 2009, UNHCR cut off all rations. This resulted of course in many malnourished people and the most vulnerable were the elderly, HIV pregnant women, and children. Under the guidance of Jean Mutara, the camp clinic nurse, Webster initiated the Emergency Food Fund to provide a portion of rice to this vulnerable group of refugees. We have two refugee liaisons at the camp who purchase the food in bulk at the local market. They divide the food into individual portions and distribute it to the refugees. Webster sends $615/month securely via WASSAP, which our liaisons use to purchase and distribute the food. We are able to feed 85-90 individuals monthly, depending on inflation and ongoing wars.
The Ghana Ministry has always raised its own funds since the ministry’s beginning, and it continues to do so. The Webster congregation has been amazingly generous in their giving, but we appeal to everyone who cares about this nearly forgotten and incredibly courageous and faith-filled group of war refugees to let their hearts be touched.
The Ghana Ministry in a nutshell:
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The Webster ministry has been continuously active for 19 years
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Refugees have come from the diamond wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone; then from the Sudanese wars
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In 2009, all rations were cut off
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Emergency Food Fund established; Webster sends $615 per month to support this fund, and it feeds roughly 85-90 people who would otherwise not eat
Won’t you join us?
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Contact the church office to get in touch with the outreach chair