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 Reach Out With Us! Minimize

Ministry happens in many ways outside the four walls of our church building.  We live in covenant with many ministry partners as a congregation within the United Church of Christ, a just peace, multicultural-multiracial, open and affirming, accessible-to-all expression of Christ's Church.  We invite you to join us in our effort on any or all of these mission opportunities.  A better world is possible!

  
Sew and Sews   Minimize

      Sew and Sews are collecting new, children’s sized underwear and socks for Sibley Elementary School again. Check your Back to School ads for these items. Baskets will be in the narthex throughout August. Thanks for helping!

Sew and Sews will resume sewing pajamas on Wednesday mornings beginning in September. 

     There has been a sewing circle at St. John's for at least 60 years! In 2011 the Sew & Sews delivered 51 pairs of pajamas, 60 hats, 61 mettens, 49 prs. of girls underwear, 25 prs. of boys underwear, 28 prs. of socks, 51 toothbrush kits and 4 scarves to St. John/s D.A. Blodgett, Safe Haven Ministries and Family Promise. They also sponsor our Christmas mitten tree and the Undie Sundays in August.  Thanks everyone!
     If you can sew and would enjoy stitching for the morning and a lively time of conversation afterward, be at St. John's on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month (excluding June-Aug.) at 9:30 a.m.  Material, thread and machines provided. Bring your skills and your lunch!

May 2012 dates:May 2nd and May 16th.
Mobile Food Truck   Minimize

St. John's UCC distributes 5000 pounds of food - free - to neighbors in need on the first Thursday of every month.  Distribution begins at 5:00 p.m. Volunteers unload the truck at 4:30 p.m.

Referral slips are required and may be obtained from one of the ACCESS food pantries, the West Side Complex, Mt. Mercy Apartments, or Grandview Apartments. Please bring this slip with you when you come to the Mobile Food Pantry.

Mobile Food Pantry Partners

St. John's is pleased to have 5/3 Bank as our newest partner in our Mobile Food Pantry ministry!  Volunteers from our neighborhood branch as well as the office downtown join us to repackage distrubute food the First Thursday of each month.

Our ongoing partnership with students in the Grand Valley State University Protestant Campus Ministry makes our Mobile Food Truck ministry possible. The students unload the truck, help clients with mobility difficulty carry their packages, watch traffic as elderly residents cross Bridge St., repackage bulk items, monitor the distribution line and so much more. 

Thank you, 5/3 Bank and GVSU students!
DeGage' 5th Sundays  Print   Minimize

St. John's serves evening meals four times a year at DeGage' Ministries in downtown Grand Rapids.  Check the dates below to see if you are available to help.

January 29, 2012

April 29, 2012

July 29, 2012

September 30, 2012

December 30, 2012

 
Mission News Feeds - Your OCWM Dollars at Work!

Haiti earthquake response
Haiti situation remains challenging - United Church of Christ continues response.

H1N1
Includes helpful information on H1N1 such as School Materials, Prevention Methods, Information on Children/Parents and Child Care Providers as well as General Information.

UCC issues $250,000 Appeal for Spring Storms
The United Church of Christ is issuing an appeal in response to severe flooding and to what authorities describe as the worst-single stretch of tornadoes in more than four decades. Over 200 deaths have already been reported.

Hurricane Irene Wreaks Havoc
Hurricane Irene continues to wreak havoc and destruction in Northeast United States. Rebuilding efforts projected to take several years and cost billions of dollars. Financial donations and CWS kits needed now.

Hurricane Irene Update
Hurricane Irene leaves trail of destruction across 14 states. Clean up and recovery projected to take months.

Hurricane Irene
Communities up and down the East coast of the United States are preparing for the weekend arrival of Hurricane Irene which is projected to come onshore in North Carolina.

UCC Launches Eastern Horn of Africa Drought and Famine Appeal
The United Church of Christ issued a $250,000 emergency relief appeal as a result of a drought causing food shortage affecting more than 10 million people in East Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya).

From Texas to Minnesota: tornadoes leave a path of destruction
Joplin, Missouri suffered the most as at least 116 people have been killed; more than 400 people severely injured; and many are still missing – fully 30% of the city buildings and homes are destroyed or damaged. St. John’s Regional Medical Center was hit forcing medical personnel to evacuate patients; and those injured by the tornado to other area hospitals.

Hundreds of homes destroyed in waves of severe weather
Devastating storms Wednesday spawned deadly tornadoes that moved across Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama. UCC churches in the Southeast Conference are providing immediate relief in their communities to those in need of food and water.

UCC Local Churches respond to disaster within their communities.
Even as rescue teams continued to search through debris and destroyed homes in the wake of the massive outbreak of tornadoes across the South, a host of faith-based organizations began the work of helping survivors recover.
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