SERVING OTHERS
in our community and in the world
Jesus said, "Just as  you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Matthew 25:40 NRSV

We believe that everything we do as a faith community is part of the mission of the church of Jesus Christ in the world.  It's our desire to reach out in love and in the name of Christ to our sisters and brothers near and far:

•    Opening our doors and hearts in welcome
•    Sharing the good news of God’s love
•    Extending compassion to those in need
•    Working with others for a more peaceful and just world.                                                                                          

SHARING and SERVICE are the heart of how we live out our faith in Jesus Christ!
 


CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS  

Saturday,  December 12 is our next day for serving lunch at Ministry with Community!   Call the church if you'd like to help.  
 

+

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES COMING SOON...

The CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING  will be received on Sunday, December 20.  This special offering aids retired church workers and supports Presbyterian ethnic colleges.

read more about the Christmas joy offering

+

Angel Tree gifts will be delivered the week of Dec. 14, so if you took a child's name, please bring your gift to church by Dec. 13.   The Angel Tree project allows us to provide Christmas gifts for children who have an incarcerated parent, on behalf of that parent.  It's a small  thing to help maintain an important con Our deacons will appreciate your donations toward the cost of  

CHRISTMAS FRUIT BASKETS  for seniors and shut-ins.  Look for Sue Weng to give her your contribution, and let her know if you'd like to help with packing.

+

Peacemaking Offering
Thanks to everyone who gave to our Peacemaking Offering. 
A portion of this offering went to the recipient of the 2009
 WESTMINSTER PEACE PRIZE,

Christena Smith of BeadVenture, a beaded-jewelry educational nonprofit, serving at-risk youth, who take  classes in beadwork and jewelry-making, while learning social skills, business skills, confidence, and responsibility.    This special offering of the Presbyterian Church (USA) supports peacemaking and peace education projects of the church, locally, nationally, and worldwide.  

read more about the peacemaking offering

 

                                                                            

We support many local ministries with funds, time, and other donations.  Some of them include:

• Ministry with Community –a multi-faceted ministry providing food, daytime shelter and other services with dignity to Kalamazoo’s poor, homeless, mentally ill and in-crisis adults.             learn more about Ministry with Community

• Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes – a food bank which supports numerous food pantries throughout the area and provides nutritious emergency food to hundreds of individuals and families.    learn more about Loaves and Fishes

• The Open Door and Next Door Shelter Programs – supportive transitional living programs for young adults                    learn more about Open Door/Next Door

• Portage Community Outreach Center serves families in the Portage Community with emergency food, clothing, and assistance with other needs.   learn more about PCOC

• United Campus Ministry, a nontraditional campus ministry focused on service learning, reaches out to students at Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.   learn more about UCM

ADVOCACY and JUSTICE

• Westminster is a member of ISAAC (Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community), a network of congregations and others working together to build a more just community in the greater Kalamazoo area.    learn more about ISAAC

• ---

          We are a Bread for the World Covenant Congregation and participate each year in the Bread for the World Offering of Letters.                              learn more about Bread for the World 

• ---

  We participate in the Presbyterian Coffee Project and enjoy Fair Trade Coffee at our fellowship times following worship each Sunday.  (Fair Trade Coffee is available for purchase on the first Sunday of each month.)   learn more

• ---

  PEACEMAKING is important to us!  One way we express this is by awarding the Westminster Peace Prize each October with our congregational portion of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering.   learn more

Throughout the year, we offer many opportunities for kids, youth and adults to GET INVOLVED in service and giving:

- Meals on Wheels 
- Mission trips and workdays for local agencies
- Serving lunch at Ministry with Community on the 2nd Saturday of each month.  
- Special projects involve kids, youth, and adults in various projects like raking leaves, providing Christmas gifts for needy children, and making first aid kits.
- our Deacons and our Presbyterian women undertake many projects in the community and beyond

• Our financial commitments to the General Mission Funds of the Presbyterian Church (USA)   read about PCUSA mission
• participation in the four seasonal special offerings of the Presbyterian Church  
• Cents-ability  (formerly "Two Cents a Meal")  - a regular offering for the Presbyterian Hunger Program     learn more