Memorial United Methodist Church

Purpose: The purpose of the Mission Committee is to educate the congregation about mission issues and opportunities, to encourage giving and to provide hands-on opportunities to serve.

UMCOR: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the general agency of the United Methodist Church that responds with help to disasters (natural or man-made), to refugees and to the root causes of hunger in the U.S. and around the world.

Ministry Jubilee: There are many ministries throughout the state of Michigan that are supported by the United Methodist Church. These are collected under the name of Ministry Jubilee. Each year Memorial selects specific Ministry Jubilee projects to support financially through our general budget. In addition individuals may choose to give to a specific project. 100% of the donation goes to the designated project.

Advance Special Projects: There are thousands of projects in the U.S. and around the world that are supported through the United Methodist Church. These are called "Advance Specials". Money given to an Advance project goes only to that project, with none taken out for administration. (Administrative costs are paid through our apportionments.)

Undesignated Mission Giving: Every month Memorial receives many requests for funding, many of them very worthwhile. Undesignated money for missions is the only source of funding we have to respond to these requests. Persons wishing to contribute may mark their gifts "missions" and it will get to us.

Special Offerings: There are a number of special offerings that Memorial takes regularly. These include the following.

One Great Hour of Sharing. Taken in the month of March, this offering provides undesignated funds to UMCOR so that UMCOR can respond quickly to emergency situations, often within hours of the occurrence of a disaster.
World Communion Sunday is observed the first Sunday of October. Monies collected help provide Crusade Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students from developing countries as well as some scholarship aid to needy students from within the U.S.
Rainbow of Caring, formerly "Blanket Sunday", is taken on Mother's Day. It offers an opportunity to provide blankets, seeds, fishing nets and other tools to refugees as they begin to rebuild their lives.
Noisy Offering. The third Sunday of each month the children of Memorial circulate through the congregation collecting "noisy" change (we do accept paper money as well). With this money they provide pregnant cows to families in third world countries. The family receiving the cow agrees to give the first offspring of the cow to a neighbor, who makes the same agreement. Each cow costs $500.
Hunger Awareness month is the month of November. During that month the congregation has opportunities to learn more about the issues and causes of huger, to financially support a hunger project and to provide some hands-on aid to those struggling to provide food for their families.
Christ Tree is an opportunity to help one or more local families have a brighter future. During the first three weeks of December ornaments are placed on the Christ Tree. Each ornament represents a financial donation to this program.
Disaster Relief. When a natural disaster occurs, persons may give to help the victims by placing a gift in the offering or sending it to the church office. The gift should be well marked for the disaster relief for which it is intended. For instance, "Tsunami Relief". The gift will promptly go to helping the intended victims, with nothing taken out for administration.

Hands-on and In-kind projects.

Adult worktrip. Annually a group of adults (18 and older) travels to a mission site to do construction and/or other services. For the past three years the group has gone to the Red Bird mission in southeastern Kentucky. Participants are of a wide age range and diverse skill level. Even those who have never held a hammer are welcome.
Camp Michigamme. Memorial sponsors a cabin at the United Methodist Institute on Lake Michigamme. The congregation provides maintenance for the cabin through financial and hands-on contributions.
School Kits and Health Kits for use in developing countries are assembled and packed in May of each year. Memorial's member to Annual Conference carries the kits to Annual Conference where they are loaded and shipped to the designated country.
Campus Meal. Twice a year, members of Memorial provide a hot dinner to about 60 students of Bay de Noc Community College. The Monday night dinners are sponsored by the Bay Area Campus Ministry and are supported by a large number of churches in the area.
Clothing Closet. The closet is open each weekday from 9 – 4:00pm for everyone. Gently used clothing is available for men, women, children and infants. A nominal fee is requested. Clothing has been shipped to third world countries for use.
Venison Project. For many years Memorial has sponsored a program to provide ground venison to the hot meal program at Cass Community Services in downtown Detroit. More recently the meat has been split between Cass and the local Salvation Army Friendship Kitchen. Hunters may take their deer to a designated processor where it will be processed and held until someone from Memorial takes it to Detroit. Processors are Steve Soderman on Days River road who processes the meat for free, and Viau s Market in Escanaba who processes it at reduced rates.
Non-perishable food and toiletries are collected weekly and delivered to the local food pantry. Items may be deposited in the wicker basket in the entrance of the church.
Run/Walk for hunger is a community event sponsored by five area churches, and takes place in early June each year. In addition to the 10 k. run and three-mile walk, there is a 6-block "Senior Stroll".
Christmas Dinner for the Community. Each year the Gladstone area church’s gather and sponsor a Community Christmas Dinner for those in the community who are alone or desire fellowship. Turkey, ham and all the trimmings are served. Take out are delivered to the home bound.