EVENTS

FOOD PANTRY

On November 9, we held a drive-thru distribution day. We served 685 individuals, which includes 203 families. We distributed 16,961 lbs. of food, hygiene, and cleaning supplies.

Our next drive-thru pantry distribution will

be Saturday, December 14th

from 10-12pm.

Volunteer service hours are 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

If you are interested in volunteering it is helpful to sign up or contact a member of the Christian Mission and Witness Committee.

There is also a sign up sheet posted on the table in the Narthex.

We have packing and unloading parties all month long! Have your family or group staff an event!

WE ARE THE CHURCH!

Pastor Meg is inviting children and teens to read the Call to Worship. If you have a young person in your family who would like to participate in worship, please contact the church office. Pastor Meg will write the material at your child’s reading level. The children do not need to be church members.

We also need teens or adults to read the scripture each week. If you would be willing to serve in this capacity, please reach out to Pastor Meg or the church office. We are the church together!

This Blue Christmas service is for anyone who might be struggling during the holiday season. It is usually close to the date of the longest night, when the days are shorter, and the darkness of night is longer. This time of year, carries the expectation that we are all filled with happiness, and we know that often that is not our reality. Blue Christmas is designed to remind us that it’s okay to have a whole range of emotions. This is a service of comfort and peace. This would be an excellent service to invite anyone you know who might need some encouragement to view.

WRAP IT UP

Back by popular demand, we're holding the Wrap-It-Up event again this year. The event will take place on Sunday, December 15 right after the Christmas Pageant. Our talented wrappers will be available to wrap your gifts for free. (Although, a free-will donation is always appreciated.)

We'll also be having our bake sale and boutique items for sale. Rumor has it that Santa Claus will be in Clinton Township that same day. He will be stopping by Hope UCC from 11am to 1pm in our parlor. All children and young at heart are welcome to visit Santa to let him know what you would like to have for Christmas. We hope to see you there.

The Board of Trustees is working on using this template to help us find ways to embrace being the church and create opportunities for people to put their faith into action.

We are kicking off the Be the Church Campaign with a coloring contest for creative people of all ages. Coloring is a great way to manage stress and let your creative spirit soar. Everyone is welcome to take a coloring sheet and submit their finished work on December 30th. We will display our master pieces after the Christmas season.

Focus: HOPE

To help reduce the nearly 43 percent of people who are
food insecure in southeast Michigan, Focus: HOPE is
increasing its effort to expand the monthly food program
for seniors.

Unlike many food programs that provide one-time meals, this program focuses on supplementing senior pantries with items like milk, cereal, and canned goods that can be used throughout the entire month.

Seniors age 60 and older living in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb or
Washtenaw counties can apply for the monthly Food for Seniors
Program by calling 313-494-4600

Michigan UCC – United in Love

Bethel UCC and Michigan Conference UCC Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team, has partnered with the organization RIP Medical Debt (RIP MD).

RIP MD acquires medical debt from secondary collection sources like collection agencies and, through the generosity of donors, TOTALLY ELIMINATES that debt at a 100:1 ratio. That means for every dollar we raise, $100 in medical debt is eliminated.

We are asking you, as a colleague in Christ in our Michigan Conference, to help us ERASE this debt for our neighbors in Michigan. So together, UNITED IN LOVE, we will relieve the crushing burden placed on already sick Michiganders who cannot afford the medical cost of their illness.

WHERE?

To donate, CLICK HERE (* RIP Medical Debt is a 501(c)3 charitable organization).

LEARN MORE about RIP Medical Debt HERE

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every:

Tuesday 7-8:00 pm. | Saturday 7-8:30 pm

in Fellowship Hall.

Seniors Group

Third Monday of each month - 11:30am Potluck, Games & Fellowship

PFLAG

Reachout to PFLAG at plagct@gmail.com for more information and meeting times.

BOWLING

Every two weeks unless on a holiday. Reach out to Tim Cole if you’re interested. They bowl at the AMF Rose Bowl Lanes on Martin Road. From September-April.

EXERCISE CLASS - Will restart in March

Both men and women are welcome to join this on-going class. Cost is $1.00 per person per class. The instructor is from the Arthritis Foundation. The class meets:

Mondays 11a-12p

Wednesdays from from 1-2p

HELP WANTED—SOUND BOARD

We're always looking for help with our audio and video services. Its easier than it looks and its fun to learn. If this seems interesting to you, please talk to Jim on Sunday or call him.

Choir and Handbells

We are always looking for more singers to join the Choir and players to join the Bell Choir; we have a place for you.