Church and Society
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 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
While we have several continuing ministries, our focus for the coming year will be the continuation and increased support of the Interfaith Farmington/Farmington Hills Food Pantry located at the Servant Church of St. Alexander; Cass Community Services mud mat program and Bible Study Workshop at the Huron Valley State Prison for Women.
We continue to collect all non-perishable foods and paper products for our community food pantry. Food boxes are located at the east and youth room doors, and on the third Sunday are placed at the entrance to the sanctuary. Jeff Gardner leads the mud mat ministry, and Dale Milford takes Jesus’ word to the women at Huron Valley State Prison.
Through efforts of this committee and others, Nardin Park is a recycling church, as well as being a latex-free church.
Equal Exchange
Church and Society supports Equal Exchange
, a food cooperative which guarantees farmers, growers and laborers a fair wage for their work. The third Sunday of each month we offer Equal Exchange coffee, tea, chocolate bars and bits, dried cranberries, almonds and pecans for purchase. With the sale of these items, we are a part of the larger UMCOR effort to raise living standards throughout the world.
Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists
We have joined DRUMS (Dedicated Reconciling United Methodists) in hosting an ecumenical service on the first Sunday of each month, to provide a worship opportunity for those who feel uncomfortable in traditional services for any reason. This service is in the Chapel, and begins at 6:00 p.m. with a time for social gathering and refreshments before worship.
We host information seminars on current topics of social interest, and provide internet links of interest to our congregation.
Co-chairs of Church and Society are Linda McCraith and Jeannie Howard. We encourage you to share your “responsible” social action” ideas, suggestions or questions with us. Email with your ideas.