A water give-away in Flint and the free store on Kalamazoo’s eastside, made the news this past week as churches that connect with the needs of neighbors.

MARCH 22, 2019 | FLINT, Michigan — Twelve truckloads of free bottled water were delivered to five locations in Flint on World Water Day, March 22nd according to a report by mLive. Two United Methodist churches were among the five distribution points: Asbury and Calvary UMCs. World Water Day was established by the United Nations and was observed or the first time on March 22, 1993. Its purpose is to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and to advocate for sustainable management of water resources. READ MORE.

MARCH 21, 2019 | KALAMAZOO, Michigan — Sunnyside United Methodist Church was highlighted recently in Second Wave Southwest Michigan’s, “On the Ground East Side” series.  Pastor Matt Weiler was quoted as saying, ““A hundred people might worship here, but thousands of people in the neighborhood call this their church.” Over 4,000 individuals have registered at the congregation’s Free Store and many more work in the community garden. Weiler calls the church the “front porch to the Kingdom of God,” with a focus on relationships, rather than rules. READ MORE.

Last Updated on November 1, 2023