Church and Society Ministry

From a United Methodist publication entitled “Who we are,” come these words: “We roll up our sleeves and say, ‘Let’s get to work,’ as we answer the call of making disciples for Jesus Christ".

For more than 200 years, the United Methodist Church and its predecessors have worked to help the poor, the sick, the orphaned, the aging, the oppressed and the imprisoned. Our church participates in the struggles of women, people with physical and mental challenges, and racial and ethnic minority persons, helping them to attain equity and equality in the church and in society through responsible social action.”

The Church and Society Ministry at Nardin Park is working to bring social concerns to the congregation for discussion and to encourage specific calls for change. Through suggestions from our members, research, discussion and collaboration with other groups within the church, we strive to bring information about issues within our community and the wider world to Nardin Park. We are guided by the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church.

Responsible Social Action

We are working with other committees to increase recycling endeavors. In 2009 we began recycling Styrofoam cups. And we are now a latex-free church.

In the past, Church and Society Ministry has sponsored:

• Rev. Janet Wolfe and Nardin Park’s celebration of 50 years of women serving in the Methodist ordained ministry.
• The screening of “An Inconvenient Truth,” which explored the effects of global warming.
• Informational seminars on the church’s social principles, universal health care ballot proposal, Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and Farmington Hills educational issues
• DRUMS, Detroit Reconciling United Methodists annual potluck dinner
• World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation annual services.
• Provided $1,200 to Cass Community UMC in 2009 as proceeds of the Advent sale of Mud Mats, made from recycled tires by homeless men in Detroit.  Mat are now available at www.casscommunity.org.

Equal Exchange

Church and Society Ministry supports Equal Exchange, a food cooperative which guarantees that a coffee farmer in Columbia, a tea grower in Sri Lanka or a cranberry harvester in the United States receive a fair wage for his or her work. Each Sunday our coffee table in Mercer Hall offers coffee and tea, in biodegradable paper cups — refreshments which encourage “fellowship with a difference.” The third Sunday of each month we offer Equal Exchange tea, chocolate bars and bits, dried cranberries, almonds and pecans. With the congregation's support, we are a part of the larger UMCOR effort to raise living standards for individual farmers.

All money deposited in the “Sunshine Cup” on the coffee table is used to purchase more products. But, ultimately, the sale of these products enables UMCOR to support the Equal Exchange community.

Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists

Church and Society Ministry is joining DRUMS (Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists) in hosting an ecumenical service on the first Sunday evening of each month, to provide a worship opportunity for those who feel uncomfortable in traditional services for any reason.

Anyone from the GLBT community, their friends or families and anyone who wants to be welcoming and inclusive is invited to share this hour of worship. This is not a political effort or any kind of movement. Those who are interested in supporting this ministry are urged to join us at 6:00 p.m. for fellowship in the Multi-Purpose Room and 6:30 for worship in the Chapel.

Co-chairs of Church and Society are Bev Brun and Doris Hildebrand. We encourage you to share your “responsible social action” ideas, suggestions or questions with us.  Email churchandsociety at nardinpark.org with your ideas.