What are churches doing to resource their members & communities in these financially difficult days?

From North Carolina
We are doing things and it may be "baby steps," but the efforts are gaining traction with the church folk!

Our staff member in Mission and Justice Ministries teaches Sabbath Economics and this has become a very popular study for the local church, encouraging simpler lifestyles for the well-being of the earth and family and community. It is a faith-based study and helpful for such a time as this.

The churches have been trying to form support systems for the unemployed and those who are losing homes. Most of the issues have to do with unemployment in our congregations and the members gather for prayer, encouragement and to challenge one another to engage in mission while they have the time. I love that last initiative, as it helps the unemployed to maintain perspective and to stay busy and productive, rather than sinking into despair.

Most of our churches and the conference ministry areas, too, are scaling back on things like "eating meetings," unless it is an opportunity for very simple fare. The budgets have been reduced wherever possible.

Other programs are being explored by our communications team which asked the same of the churches: What are you doing in your local church to live by faith and not by fear, in this financial crisis?

From Western North Carolina
The Hominy Valley Community just West of Asheville has just this February replicated a wonderful ministry begun several years ago in the Swannanoa Valley just East of Asheville. The Welcome Table is a feeding ministry where all are welcome for a mid-day meal. There is also access to health care information and a faith community nurse. Both Welcome Tables are ecumenically supported, yet housed in United Methodist Churches. The meals are free to anyone who comes. Those able to contribute may seek out a donation box. Unlike the typical soup kitchen, the tables are often decorated, and fully spread with Thanksgiving-like fare. Main courses, salads, and homemade desserts are standard. Lots of volunteers with aprons and smiles stationed around the room, representatives from neighborhood churches, reduced costs through buying at Manna Food Bank in Asheville, and fellowship at table with all kinds of people are making The Welcome Table a very hospitable lunch place of choice for all kinds of people in Buncombe County.

From Minnesota Conference
I am aware of networking groups for those out of work (including resume writing, interviewing, etc) and financial workshops.

From a DS in Baltimore Washington Conference
I’ve been seeing a lot of financial management classes being offered – some are packages like the Crown Financial package and others are being put together by banking and financial people in local churches that have the personnel resources (laity, mostly) who can offer a hand to others who need help.

From a DS in Michigan
I regularly receive emails from pastors, saying, “I want you to know that we are going to have to reduce our budget, including cutting back staff.” There is nothing more painful for a church than to have to freeze salaries, reduce hours, or even eliminate staff positions.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to share lunch with 9 pastors from the Muskegon area and asked them this question, “How are you doing ministry when families in your church are losing their jobs and homes and your church budget becomes tighter and tighter. How are you being the church?” The responses were absolutely amazing! An incredible mobilization of human and financial resources to embody hope and transform lives is taking place right before our eyes.

On March 21 the Holton Community Center will open. For the first time ever the churches of this small community northeast of Muskegon are working together. It began last summer when the Holton UMC organized a church softball league, using the wonderful community sports complex the Holton church build on their land. That was just the beginning. In the new community center, which will be staffed by volunteers 2 days a week, there will be a food and clothing pantry, with other social services to be offered as resources allow. On January 31, the 4 churches worshipped together as a fundraiser, which, according to the Holton UMC newsletter, was an “absolutely electric evening.”

At Wolf Lake UMC a woman in the congregation walked into Pastor Bobby Cabot’s office and said she felt God calling her to begin a free clothing ministry once a month at the church. Everyone who comes is able to take home 5 pieces of clothing, which is donated from church members and others.

Lakeside UMC has begun offering a $3 Wednesday evening meal (can you beat that price?) to the community. Over 50 people attend each week, with half coming from outside the church. A group of visionary people in Muskegon County is working diligently to initiate Family Promise, a homeless ministry that is also called Interfaith Hospitality Network. Churches take turns hosting homeless families in their buildings for a week at a time. Of the 10 churches that are committed at this time, five are United Methodist churches: Lake Harbor, Community, Lakeside, Temple and Church of the Dunes.

Crestwood UMC will offer Bible school this year with First Christian Reformed Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church. They are planning for 100 children, age 5 through middle school – and they are using a Cokesbury VBS curriculum!

Lakeside UMC offers a food ministry to the community called Great Food For All. Every month, people can order boxes of food for $30, each box of which can feed a family of 4 for a week. If people don’t care for something in their box, they can put that food item in another box designated for MAP (Mission for Area People).

Temple UMC continues to host Supper House, which feeds 100 people every night. Churches from all over the area help cook and serve dinner.

Coopersville UMC is starting a support group for unemployed people, which will meet twice a month. The mission statement for this group is to nurture and empower unemployed persons to keep their mental health and self-worth, and encourage a positive attitude so they will be successful in finding employment.

A realtor at Whitehall UMC is offering resources and information to people who are experiencing mortgage/foreclosure problems in order to keep them in their homes. Fear is causing many in the area to simply pack up and leave.

Lake Harbor UMC and Lakeside UMC share Jimmy Epplett, a youth staff person. A few weeks ago Jimmy started a young adult worship service on Wednesday nights called Roots, with 65 in attendance. The hope is that young adults from the entire Muskegon area will find a place to connect with God and each other.

What I am seeing in our churches is an absolutely electrifying Wesleyan outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

• I see churches and individuals move outside their doors to respond to the needs of others with confidence and courage.
  
  
• I see the lines separating UM churches and denominations become blurry, as we discern that God’s way is to cooperate, not compete.
  
  
• I see great creativity as churches realize that they can do more with less.
  
  
• I see that when people are enthusiastic about the transforming ministries of their churches, they respond with generous and sacrificial giving.
  
  
• I see a renewed dedication to ministry shares, a realization that second mile mission giving come after first mile commitments are honored.
  
  
• Most gratifying of all, I see the church leading the way, not lagging behind.

As one of my friends keeps saying, “We gotta keep the faith. That’s our gift to the world. We’re all in this together.” I can’t think of a better spiritual practice for the season of Lent: keep the faith and share the faith!

From Detroit Conference
First United Methodist Church in Birmingham, MI hosted an “economic summit” with major leaders from business, community and church, reflecting on the outlook for our future in Michigan. Panelists include: Dana Johnson, Chief Economist, Comerica Bank Robert Kleine, Treasurer of the State of Michigan Sarah McClelland, President, JPMorgan Chase of Michigan Dr. Mark Fowler, Vice President, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary John F. Smith, Vice President for Global Product Planning, General Motors

The summit was be held at First United Methodist Church, and was open to the public. There was no charge, but a $5.00 donation to benefit hunger ministries in Detroit was suggested.

From Broadland UM Parish
Here at the Hitchcock United Methodist Church our Missions team has started a program called "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" in which anyone needing help around the community will contact me or one of my Missions team members to let us know what kind of help they are in need of. We also have sign up sheets around the community for people to ask us to contact them. One of the projects that came out of this program was helping a local man who does not have a job and whom we discovered had no heat in his house two winters ago and because of addiction to alcohol was using his assistance money on alcohol instead of food.

The missions team and the youth of the church decided to pool their resources and buy meals at the local cafe for him and the members of the missions team went to his house this summer and worked there for two weeks plus, cleaning it so that the State would allow the Social Services to go in and give him assistance. Other people helped him figure out what government benefits he was eligible for and still another man helps him handle the money he does get each month. This winter he had heat in his house and he has been able to eat at least one hot mail every day. That is just one of many projects that we have worked on, some have been rather simple, like helping people paint their home, and taking the elderly to hospital appointments, but in these tough economic times, anything we can do to help people is important.

From Florida Conference
Two congregations have merged and will use the smaller church campus as a worship and outreach center. The merged church has partnered with the local county school board and will use that facility largely to offer programs that will enrich the lives of community residents, known as the Sunset Heights Senior Adult Worship and Outreach Center Campus of Trinity UMC, Plant City. The church will offer spiritual health and healing ministries under the auspices of their Parish Nurse. The School plans to offer Adult Education, Family Social Work Services (counseling support for the Hispanic community), as well as food, housing, employment assistance, services for children, etc. Heretofore, the church didn't have the programs and the school board didn't have the facility; now one campuses of the merged church will be revived (and so will the surrounding community) and the school has expanded its reach (Rev. Gary Brady is the pastor).

We also have a Vietnamese congregation in Tampa that also has a few Caucasians and others who participate in the ministry. On the fourth Sunday in January while my husband and I attended the worship celebration for the Vietnamese New Year, we were introduced to several new attendees. The folks were from Burma, Malaysia (and one other country--can't remember now but can find out if you want to use the story:)! They all live in a low income apartment within a five minutes walk of the church, which is located in a transitional community. Somehow they connected as residents and the new-er comers began attending worship with the refugees.

The pastor, Rev. Sabrina Tu (Vietnamese) reached out to them and led the congregation in assisting them with food, clothing, and community. But, what's even more amazing is that the folks who live in the apartment can't communicate with words--they don't speak the same languages and they don't speak English or Vietnamese! What they have done (among themselves and received at the church) is communicated on a deeper level with the language of love and compassionate reception. They hear about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit every Sunday and they know that they are in the midst of a pastor and congregation who practice what they preach. Imagine that!

From Texas Conference
The season of Lent provides a multitude of opportunities to teach, support, and grow disciples and seekers in this time of what is often referred to as “uncertainty”. On the campus of Wiley College we are offering many opportunities for people to reflect on God in their lives. As a result of the time taken to reflect, we are to ask God to reveal to us how, what, when, and where He wants us to move.

The following opportunities are being offered:

• e-Merge – A six week study engaging youth to develop and sustain a meaningful relationship with God.
  
  
• A six-week study using the book, Who Wrote the Bible?- Inviting individuals to understand the sovereignty of God’s word and meaning of His word for their lives.
  
  
• Lenten Fast and Bible Study – A 30 day study during the season of Lent that focus’s on living a regret free life. We are using the book, “One Moment to Live”. Additionally, educating the community on what God says about the necessity of fasting and prayer.