Adopt-a-Highway

The next pickup is scheduled for the spring. If you are willing and able to help us clean our two mile stretch of M-40 just north of M-43 and make Michigan a little more beautiful, contact Marj Lightner or sign up in the lobby. Many hands make light the work. Teenagers over 15 may help as long as there is one adult for every 3 youth.

In 2007, People's Church adopted a two-mile stretch of M-40 just north of M-43. Three times a year, we get together to pick up litter and trash along the highway. Volunteers must view a safety video and must be at least 12-years-old. Vests and trash bags are provided. For more information, contact Marj Lightner.

ARAOMC Task-Force

The ARAOMC (which stands for Anti-Racism Anti-Opression Multi-Cultural) Task-Force coordinates and hosts events to educate People's Church on oppression and racism issues. For more information, contact Nadine Godin-Nassaney.

Burundi Microlending Project

Over the last couple of years, People's Church has partnered with Unitarians in Burundi in a microlending program aimed at helping impoverished Burindians become self-sufficient. Donated money is given to small business owners as low- or no-interest loans, which they repay on a set schedule. When the loan is entirely paid back, the money is then given to another small business entrepreneur where the process begins again. As the illiteracy rate is high in Burundi, this program also works with business owners to teach them how to read and write to better the chances that their form of income will be sustaining.

Burundi like many other African countries faces major challenges, and is ranked among the poorest of the poor in the world. Ninety-five percent of the population lives on traditional farming. From 1993 to 2003, the country suffered a civil war which left many people widows, orphans or handicapped. More than 300, 000 people died in the war.

For more information, contact Jill McAllister.

Green Sanctuary Committee

The Green Sanctuary program encourages individual members and the congregation as a whole to live out a committment to the Earth by choosing to live in ways that nurture life, build relationships, and reject material consumption as the sole determinant of happiness. For more information, contact Marj Lightner or Phyllis Thayer.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization working to build affordable housing for low-income famiilies. They work with motivated families in need to build 8-10 simple, decent homes every year. For more information, contact Zoe Valette, or www.habitatkalamazoo.org.

 ISAAC

ISAAC (Interfaith Strategy fir Advocacy & Action in the Community) is an interfaith network of congregations and strategic partners who work together to build a more just community. People's Church has a Core Team that assists in identifying and communicating social justice concerns of the congregation, developing social justice actions, and encouraging congregational participation in ISAAC task forces and public meetings.

For more on ISAAC and Task Force meetings, visit www.isaackalamazoo.org.

Martha's Table

Martha's Table is a program to feed those in need in downtown Kalamazoo. Martha's Table is held at First Congregational Church on Sundays. For more information contact Cindy Pietras.

Prisoner Release Program

Several members of People's Church volunteer to try and assist ex-offenders in joining the community again. One of the largest difficulties for former prisoners is finding employment. This group acts as a support group to ex-offenders. For more information, please contact Molly Fairbanks.

Social Justice Coordinating Committee

The SJCC responsibility is to coordinate and support social justice activities at People's Church and occasionally initiate activities as needed. For more information on how to become involved with this committee, please contact Phil Kramer.

Standing on the Side of Love is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression. It is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association and all are welcomed to join. To find out more check out standingonthesideoflove.org

Talking Pots

Talking Pots meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the People's Church kitchen, to make meals for the local shelter. There is a sign-up sheet located in the foyer. Contact Pat Pratt for more information and scheduled meeting times.