Congregational Outreach

• give expression to their faith through activities that respond to the needs of the poor and disenfranchised
• strengthen community by building relationships across the barriers that divide us
• bring about systemic changes that benefit the marginalized and dispossessed.

These are some ideas congregations shared at the Spring Assembly:

• A giving tree on the bulletin board with needs taken from the CHUM newsletter.
• Preparing a meal as a small group and serving it at CHUM.
• A box to collect mini toiletries for the Drop In Center.
• A list of CHUM needs given to people who enjoy rummage sales.
• A Lenten cereal drive done by the Sunday School.
• Youth group service project at CHUM.
• Pledging to bring a certain number of representatives to the JRLC Day on the Hill each year.

Here’s what some of our congregations are already doing:

Learn:

Participate in Expanding Horizons: A Duluth Immersion Experience. This program gives participants the opportunity to walk in someone else's shoes. Joining with local community agencies, participants will learn about service and social justice while gaining a broader understanding of people who may be different economically, ethnically, and/or culturally.Immersion into another way of life brings awareness to systemic problems and encourages participants to create change in their community.

Do:

• Live out your faith in our community: volunteer
• Explore creative ways for your congregation to be involved with CHUM
• Be a unified voice through Lobby Days at the State Capitol
• Educate members of your congregation by bringing a speaker from CHUM to your place of worship.

To add what your congregation does to this list, or for more information, contact Elizabeth Olson.

A Volunteer Story: Peace Church in Action at CHUM Family Emergency Shelter

The culmination of many months of planning happened on Saturday, January 9th, 2009 when Peace Church members brought new energy to the Family Emergency Shelter.

Congregation members worked side by side with the families living in each apartment. Some cleaned and made repairs, while others removed old furniture and brought in new. Together they organized supplies.

Peace Church members took a break to enjoy the women, children and men they were assisting through a meal, music and games at the CHUM Center.

By the end of the day, new friendships had developed and at least one guest had found a new church community!