Here at Utica UMC we believe in reaching out and being a part of our community. There are many opportunities throughout the year to be a part of an outreach ministry. Ways that you can help are to volunteer to help work at one of these events or to donate money when needed. Some of those outreach ministries are listed below.
- Oil Change Ministry – September or October
- Red Cross Blood Drives – February, June and October
- Drug Take Back Day – April and October
- Road Clean-Up Day – Spring
- MCREST – Spring
Oil Change Ministry – Last Saturday in September
Utica partners with Trinity Lutheran and King of Kings Lutheran church for this important ministry. There are multiple opportunities to help with this event. Volunteers are needed at the different stations to work on the vehicles, volunteers are also inside the building visiting with those whose car is being worked on. Monetary donations are also accepted to pay for the supplies needed to do the oil changes.
Red Cross Blood Drives
Utica United Methodist Church is host to the Red Cross Blood Drives in February, June and October each year. We have a few volunteers to be here during setup and cleanup of the blood drive and to help check people in when they arrive for their appointment. You can also sign-up at the Red Cross website to come in and donate blood.
Drug Take Back Day
In April and October every year we partner with the City of Sterling Heights police department to become a National Drug Take Back Day site. We have a couple of volunteers who are here during the drop off times. This is a drive-thru event from 10am-2pm where you bring expired or no longer needed prescription and over the counter medications.
VanDyke Road Clean-Up Day
Utica UMC has adopted a section of Van Dyke Avenue to help keep clean. In the spring there is a day of spring cleaning for the road clean-up. We have volunteers who go out to Van Dyke and help pick up trash.
MCREST
For more than 35 years, MCREST has provided men, women, and children experiencing homelessness with a safe place to stay and the personalized support needed to rebuild their lives. Through comprehensive case management, life-skills coaching, employment and housing assistance, and Learning & Resource Center, they help guests overcome the barriers that lead to homelessness and achieve long-term stability.
Their vision is a compassionate community where every person—regardless of circumstance—has access to the resources, dignity, and opportunity to begin again. As Macomb County’s leading point of entry for individuals and families in crisis, MCREST continues to walk beside guests on their journey from homelessness to hope.
At Utica United Methodist Church, we help to support the MCREST program by providing meals for a week and also through monetary donations. To find out more information about MCREST, how you can donate and help out, or to learn about some of the success stories please click MCREST.