Community Engagement

Community Engagement is one of the five areas of ministry that we believe will be the focal point for many congregational Shift efforts.  We would love to hear about the community engagement activities your congregation engages in.  Please send your stories and photos to resourcecenter@wcucc.org.  If you have questions, contact Mark Baldwin.

As we gather stories from congregations around the conference, we’ll add them to the menu at right. Check them out!

If you’re looking to expand your community engagement, here are some thought starters or possible shifts that might be pursued

• What are you doing within your local community that is energizing, life giving and meaningful for you? Is there a way to grow, deepen or shift that work to include “non-members?”
• Is there a local need that your congregation’s joy might connect with and help to fulfill?
• Consider a prayer drive or walk. Spend 30 minutes driving or walking around the area of your congregation or your community. Pray for the community as you drive or walk around. Invite God to show you a place of need or potential engagement.

50 Ways to Take Church to the Community resource

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership has prepared this resource for taking your church to your community. Check it out here>

Community Engagement Stories

St. Stephens UCC, Merrill, Medical Equipment Ministry. St. Stevens founded a very popular service that supplies the community with free medical equipment. 

More than 100 volunteers participate in cleanup, resource fair in Sherman Park . Bethel-Bethany UCC in Milwaukee participates in a cleanup day and resource fair.

Immanuel United Church of Christ, Kaukauna, Free Community Meal. Congregation uses SHIFT conversation to inspire free community meal.  Story>

If you would like to share your congregation’s community engagement ideas, successes or resources with others, please contact us at resourcecenter@wcucc.org.