Programs
The United Methodist Union serves mission centers, Union-created initiatives, and an insurance program in metropolitan Detroit, including:
Baldwin Center
Since 1981, the Baldwin Center has served the community of Pontiac, Michigan providing more than 25 programs for the surrounding neighborhood.
Programs include adult and family services, food services, youth services, and day care. The mission of the center is to feed, clothe, educate and empower the men, women, and children of our community.
Cass Community Social Services
A comprehensive urban ministry based out of the Cass Community United Methodist Church in Detroit, Cass Community Social Services is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the diverse populations it serves by providing for basic needs.
Cass Community Social Services offers numerous programs for the community including affordable housing, promoting self-reliance and encouraging community involvement and community improvement.
N.O.A.H
A joint effort of Central United Methodist Church and Family Services Inc. in Detroit, N.O.A.H (Networking Organizing Advocating for the Health of the Homeless) addresses the health needs of homeless people in the core area of Detroit, providing counseling, education, advocacy and organizing services.
Joy-Southfield Clinic
The Joy-Southfield Health and Education Center provides free on-site primary health care to individuals and families without health insurance and who can’t afford the cost of primary health care. Constructed with the aid of the United Methodist Union, the center was the initiative of Second Grace United Methodist Church.
To create a culture of growth and capacity building, the United Methodist Union launched three initiatives in 2006:
Mentor in Residence
Directed by Dr. William Ritter, the Mentor in Residence program provides practical guidance and support for young pastors. Mentor directed and peer-based, a group of six pastors are selected for a year long study of all facets of a minister’s responsibilities – pastoral care, preaching, financial management, leadership, personnel, team building, conflict management and more.
Young Leaders Initiative
Led by program interim director, Anna Stroud-Gladstone, Young Leaders Initiative provides transforming inter-cultural Christian experiences for youth and young adults through two programs, Metro Youth Encounter and Transforming Leaders.
Metro Youth Encounter engages high school youth in exploring topics of faith, service, mission, justice and community in hands-on monthly meetings. Transforming Leaders is a grassroots, faith-based summer internship providing leadership training and ministry exploration for young adults and college students through local church programs for children, youth and families.
Bishop Red Project
With goals to strengthen evangelism, stewardship and outreach ministries, the Bishop Red Project focuses on churches with a high potential for growing attendance and membership. Six churches are selected to participate in the program with the goal of developing programs that reach out to the community.
United Methodist Union Insurance Program
Since 2001, the United Methodist Union has offered a voluntary insurance program providing affordable insurance to congregations in the East and West Districts. Managed by Keith Howard at the Goodman Agency, the insurance program is competitive in coverage and cost.
Keith works closely with trustees and congregations, providing advice for making informed decisions about insurance needs. More information about the insurance programs is available in their brochure (PDF: 163K).
The Nehemiah Project
The Nehemiah Project is an effort to encourage Volunteer in Mission Teams to come and work in the city. Come help rebuild a Christian Presence in the city.