Mission & Justice
Why Mission & Social Justice?
The mission & vision statement of Westlake United Methodist Church calls us to be active in social justice awareness and in mission to others as foundational to our identity as a community of faith. As our faith deepens, we seek to be more like Christ; speaking up for the oppressed, being agents of justice and being in service thru acts of compassion.
In support of this, there is a wide range of opportunities for people to become actively involved in social justice and mission, in our homes, in our nearby neighborhoods and around the world. In addition to rolling up our sleeves to help, WUMC targets nearly 10% of our annual expenditures to be used for mission, primarily through United Methodist organizations and agencies.
Learn more about opportunities available to you to live your faith.
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The people of Westlake UMC are committed to respond to the needs of others through tangible acts of mission, using our God-given time, talents and resources on behalf of others in response to God's love for us. The Mission Team works to connect all WUMC members to the myriad of opportunities available to serve others. Check out the suggestions below! If you are interested in serving as a team member, speak with Rev. Judy Wismar Claycomb. WUMC provides significant financial and volunteer support for agencies such as: 
For more information about mission projects and opportunities for service, watch the Monthly Messenger and weekly bulletin. |
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A letter from Audrey Walsh, RNIt is time to begin to plan for our group's next medical mission trip to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico on Jan 14-17, 2010. Again, I will be part of a team enjoying the opportunity to conduct a Medical Mission Clinic in the small Mexican border town of Nuevo Progresso. Our group stays at The First United Methodist Church in Mercedes, Texas (whose Mission is to support this Ministry) and commutes across the border each day to conduct a medical clinic and home visits for the residents of that area. The clinic mission is part of an on-going commitment of the United Methodist Church West Ohio Conference, who sends a medical team every three months to this community in an effort to provide a continuity of medical care. This team (40 Doctors, Nurses, student Nurses, translators and clerical personnel ) consists primarily of folks from South and Western Ohio, and include three of us from the West Cleveland area. How can I help? |
Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Malaria kills over 1 million children a year. For just $10, Nothing But Nets supplies a net, distributes it to a family and educates them on its use. The United Methodist Church, along with Sports Illustrated, is a Nothing But Nets partner. Here at Westlake UMC our members were challenged to provide one net for every member for a year. Our goal is 700 nets and we are well on our way. The children donate money through their Sunday School classes and the adults give their offering in worship or by mail. When you make a donation through The United Methodist Church 100% of the money goes to Nothing But Nets. The UMC funds administrative costs through a separate line item in their budget. If you would like to donate, mark the memo line of your check Nothing But Nets. Get more info on this life saving ministry. Go to www.nothingbutnets.net |
There are many ways that you can serve right here in the church. From upkeep of our building and grounds to the sound system to making coffee and computer work. Just about anything you can think of, the church relies on volunteers with a heart for specific ministry to be involved to make it happen. Check out the Connection & Caring service groups and talk to either Ellie Peiffer to get connected in service. |
Besides time and talent, money is also an important way to serve God and the community. Sometimes, we can't physically go to the places where the need is the greatest or where our heart may be calling us to serve. But thru the global ministry of the United Methodist Church our money can go there and make a huge difference. Did you know that 100% of any money you donate to United Methodist missions thru our church goes directly to the cause? Unlike most agencies, no money is taken out to cover overhead expenses. 100% of your donation goes to the mission you designate because the church has already supported the administrative costs. If you have a particular cause you are passionate about, chances are the United Methodist church is already serving in mission there. Click here to check out all the ways and places your money can be in mission thru the General Board of Global Ministry website Check it out. As a convenience, donations to United Methodist or other agencies can be made directly through WUMC. For instance, if you want to make a donation to Habitat for Humanity, you can give it to WUMC and it will be forwarded. Or you can give a donation to Flat Rock right here in the offering plate. The donation can even be included in your regular check. Just indicate on the memo line and the envelope how much goes to the church and how much to Flat Rock or other agency. |
The United Methodist Church's General Board of Global Ministry established Volunteers in Mission so that every person in the church has the opportunity to serve and to live their calling and their lives more faithfully. Opportunities for mission trips in both the US and internationally are available. Talk to our members who have participated in these amazing mission experiences: Harry Askin - Russia coordinator Audrey Walsh - Midwest Mission experience Nanci Danburg - Midwest Mission experience Check out the East Ohio Conference website for current trip information and the Volunteers in Mission website. |
Our Senior High Youth lead us in Mission as they plan an annual week long mission experience. This year their trip was June 22 - 27 in Grand Rapids, Michigan as part of G.R.A.S.P. (Grand Rapids Area Service Project). The Youth spent their week in the inner city helping those in need. Adult volunteers are always welcome for this awesome experience of encountering God as we build up his kingdom on earth. To read more about our Youth, click here. |
Work can include building porches or ramps, painting houses, fixing up Sunday School rooms, doing yard work, working in soup kitchens and food pantries, sorting clothes in resale stores and free stores, helping with Vacation Bible Schools, etc. What you will be doing depends on your skills and interests. Whatever you want to accomplish in the city, Nehemiah Mission can find a place for you to do it! Check out the Nehemiah website for more information: http://www.ncdistrictumc.org/Nehemiah_mission.htm |
The following organizations will help match you up with health andeducation (or other opportunities) that need your own special gifts andpassions:
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Westlake United Methodist Church is a mission partner with Kathy and Danny Dickriede at the Camphor Mission Station in Grand Bassa County, Liberia. The Camphor Mission Station is a boarding mission that includes a clinic, a school, an agricultural program, and a United Methodist Church. You can keep up with the exciting work that the Dickriedes are doing by reading their blog.
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Many UMC churches in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties offer meal programs, child care or after school programs, and other outreach programs in the community. All can use extra hands to help - call the North Coast District office (216) 441-4527 or www.ncdistrictumc.org for suggestions. |
West Side Community House, a UMC mission agency, needs volunteers in its Meals on Wheels and other services to seniors, and in day care and tutoring programs for children(216) 771-7297 or www.gbgm-umc.org/westsidecommunityhouse |
Community Corner is an emergency food pantry and resale shop It is located at 8601 Sauer Ave.,Cleveland, OH 44102. Call Lou Keim for more information at (216) 631-6508. Community Corner is one of the ministries of West Side Ecumenical Ministry: www.wsem.org |
Heeding the call of the prophet Micah to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God, we commit to leading Westlake United Methodist Church in actions that transform our world into a more just global community The Justice Ministry Team is made up of people who actively seek justice in their own lives and encourage others do the same. This Team meets quarterly to plan actions that accomplish the goals we set. Our focus for this year includes elder/child abuse and the environment. Some of the ways we address these issues are through establishing recycling at church, using coffee mugs at coffee hour instead of paper cups, offering a class on Parenting your Parents, collecting and recycling used cell phones, and writing newsletter articles. To connect with the Justice Ministry Team, please email Rev. Linda Coatoam |
Clothing & Household itemsGently used clothing and household items, for the Community Corner resale shop, are always needed. All clothing must be washed and stain free. Place in the large wooden box in Fellowship Hall. Furniture"Pass It On", a Christian outreach organization in Lorain County provides furniture and household goods free to families in need http://www.passitonministries.org/content/. In Cuyahoga County, St. Vincent de Paul sponsors the Furniture Bank, with a similar mission. www.svdpcle.org PaperAn Abitibi Paper Retriever Bin is located in the church parking lot. By providing this bin we help our community be good environmental stewards. Abitibi provides the bin, empties it monthly and pays the church dividends based on the weight of the paper. The collected paper is manufactured into recycled newsprint, saving an estimated 2.2 million cubic yards of landfill each year.
Other good usable items?Check out the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District web site for a wealth of ideas about how to recycle and reuse just about anything! www.cuyahogaswd.org |
Buy Equal Exchange brand free trade coffee, tea, chocolate and other goodies! They are sold by the Mission Team, two Sundays a month during coffee hour in fellowship hall. This is done not as a fund raiser but as a practical way to express our values. and get a great cup of coffee! This is the easiest mission project you'll ever do! Equal Exchange is a nonprofit group that buys from collectives of small farmers in Central America. By eliminating most of the middlemen, EE insures that much more of your coffee dollar goes directly into local farming communities, greatly improving the quality of life for the farming families. Equal Exchange also encourages ecologically-sound farming practices and community development activities. |
