UCOM
The Rev. Dr. Bruce Roller officially retired from his position as executive director of United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) April. 1. Roller has served UCOM with dedication and distinction for 21 years and leaves behind a legacy of leadership, compassion, and impact. During his tenure, Roller spearheaded numerous initiatives that propelled UCOM forward in its…
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By Erik Keener, associate executive director, United Church Outreach Ministry in Wyoming, Mich. Reprinted from Winter 2024 Communicator. For most of us change is difficult. Whether it’s a new job, moving, an addition to the family, mourning the loss of a loved one, or just trying something different, any of these changes can be stressful…
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(Reprinted with permission from United Church Outreach Ministry’s Summer Newsletter, the Communicator.) “It’s not just a handout, but a friendship thing. You’re sharing something with someone.” This is what David had to say about the important place United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich., holds in his life. “I never knew what a jackfruit…
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By Shawn Keener, UCOM program director. Reprinted with permission. Earlier this year, United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich, invited 20 neighbors from diverse cultural backgrounds to gather quarterly and share their thoughts and hopes for the future. “Getting to know our neighbors” and “building a stronger support system” were just some of the…
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By BettyBeth Johns, workforce development director, United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), Wyoming, Mich. Reprinted with permission from the UCOM Communicator, Spring 2022. Elizabeth Nyiransaba glides through her day, chatting with everyone who crosses her path: smiling and singing and asking questions about everything from why some people are always “tigers” (crabby) to what sort of…
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By Bruce Roller, executive director of United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich. Reprinted with permission. Yes, I am a racist. This is evidenced by the fact that I can’t even let that statement stand alone. I need to give a little definition so that you don’t think of me as being a “bad“…
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The CHHSM Board of Directors, meeting online June 7-9, focused a large portion of its meeting reviewing the commitments made by the Board, staff, and members in the June 2020 statement on the pandemic of systemic racism. At the top of the list was the final report of the organization’s recently completed Race, Diversity, Equity,…
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For frontline nonprofits like United Church Outreach Ministry in Wyoming, Mich., colder weather and the holiday season always means finding new ways to meet the basic, ongoing needs of clients. But with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic throwing a spanner in the works, adaptability has been key. “UCOM is nothing if not flexible,” says the Rev.…
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The staff of United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich., recently received a special honor. Heart of West Michigan United Way surprised the UCC-related organization with a United Way Partner of the Year Award. While UCOM receives funding from United Way — it had already received $60,000 for each of three years, 2020-2023 —…
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by BettyBeth Johns, community development manager, United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich. Alexandra’s UCOM journey began with a small letter-sized poster hanging in the food pantry: If you want to learn to take charge of your financial future, sign up for FREE financial literacy classes here at UCOM. Something sparked in her. She…
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