MusicFirst (Park) Congregational United Church of Christ’s Outreach work centers on social justice issues affecting the heart of Grand Rapids and beyond. We believe in serving God by fulfilling Christ’s directive in Matthew 25 – to feed and clothe the poor and hungry, to visit those in prison, to heal the sick and to welcome all strangers to our table – no questions asked. We also firmly believe that education is a social justice issue. To this end, we have developed several programs to help those in need:
Master of Social Work Intern, Ben Jacobs
We are proud to announce that in cooperation with the Master of Social Work program at Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids campus, our Master of Social Work intern began September 2011! The Intern will each work 8 hours per week (as a volunteer) and will help with in-take questions and forms for those who stop by the church office to apply for financial aid, work with existing outreach programs, and help us develop new initiatives in the city! We are equally excited to announce that the pastor at First Congregational Church in Lowell, Michigan, will partner with us to provide MSW supervision. All MSW interns must have a relationship with a person who already has an MSW. Our Senior Minister will perform head of staff responsibilities with the Interns. However, they will process their experiences and learning with someone certified Social Worker (with an MSW).
Emergency Assistance Requests
Free Community Breakfasts
Once a month Park Church offers a free breakfast in Merriam Hall. A full menu is prepared by church volunteers and served to our downtown neighbors. Oftentimes we’ll have music and games – Merriam Hall is becoming a popular destination because of the various programs that are hosted there. Proudly, our program has helped to launch various feeding initiatives in our city. Currently, breakfast is served every third Saturday of the month. All are welcome to the table. Volunteers should arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
Mobile Food Pantries
Park Church currently sponsors one monthly Mobile Food Pantry in partnership with the West Michigan Second Harvest Gleaners. A Mobile Food Pantry (MFP) is a converted break-truck that delivers several thousand pounds of groceries to locations around the city to be distributed to those in need. Our downtown MFP arrives at Park Church every fourth Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
Friday Winter Day Shelter
Every Friday throughout the winter months, Park opens Merriam Hall to our downtown friends and neighbors for a hot meal and fellowship. We usually have chili, soup, baked goods, coffee – anything that sounds delicious during a cold winter day. We watch movies on the big screen and generally hang out and have a good time. The Winter Day Shelter is open from November through the end of February, every Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Volunteers should arrive around 8:00 a.m.
Saturday Winter Day Shelter
After securing important information about the need for an additional winter day shelter on Saturday throughout the winter months, the Mission Ministry Team has added a second Winter Day Shelter to Park's outreach ministry program. The shelter is open now until the end of February 2012. Two Mission Team members have volunteered to oversee this ministry. Please contact the church office if you are able to volunteer during our Saturday shelters.
Park / Palmer Elementary Partnership
Every week, Park Church members volunteer at Palmer Elementary School as tutors for second graders in reading. Tutors participate in monthly prayer meetings in the chapel. This has proven to be a transformative experience for everyone involved; students and tutors alike. In recent months, this program has expended to include meals at Parent/Teacher Conferences, financial grants for classroom needs, sponsorship of Fifth Grade Camp, Palmer School Carnival volunteers, and basketball coaches for the boys and girls fifth grade basketball teams!
Sand Dudes
As part of our ongoing commitment to education and outreach in the heart of Grand Rapids, Park Church provides a weekly, day-long trip to the beach for inner-city children in partnership with U.C.O.M. Sand Dudes runs from mid-June through mid-August. UCOM is a fantastic local ministry organization! Make sure to check out their website if you haven’t already! The trip will provide a nature hike in the dunes, lunch, an opportunity to play in the water and all transportation to and from UCOM. It seems incredible, but many underprivileged children — most of whom live less than a half hour from the beach — have never seen the lakeshore! All Michiganders are connected to the Great Lakes and should have an opportunity to take advantage of its beautiful beaches!
Portable Toilet in Parking Lot
Because the City of Grand Rapids does not provide adequate restroom facilities for the homeless from approximately 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., Park Church has placed a portable toilet in its parking lot for use by all people - 24 hours a day. Click here to read the Mlive.com article about our awareness rally. We are proud to announce that our effort has convinced other downtown churches to provide portable toilets as well!
F = Food
ACCESS
Degage Ministries
Kids Food Basket
Ransom Towers
Senior Neighbors
Park Church Community Free Breakfast
Park Church Mobile Food Pantry
Park Church Winter Day Shelter - "Friday Matinee"
Sand Dudes
E = Education
Heartside Ministries
Park-Palmer Partnership
Sand Dudes
E = Emergency Assistance
Grants to organizations that respond to emergency needs like hurricane relief, etc.
D = Denominational Support
O.C.W.M - Our Church's Wider Mission - Support of the United Church of Christ
C.U.E. - Support of UCC Seminaries (Chicago, United and Eden)
UCC Ministerial Assistance
UCC Church World Service
Pilgrim Manor Foundation
U.C.O.M. - United Church Outreach Ministries
Re-Member - Ministry to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
To volunteer for any of the events listed above or for more information, contact the church office at:
616 459.3203 or email us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or join our mailing list (below) to receive updates:
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