The Outreach Committee of Westminster United Church seeks to:
- be responsible for outreach programs within the Church
- assess programs that address local, community and global needs
- provide educational programs pertaining to social problems in the community and world wide
- be responsible for the mission education of the congregation with particular reference to the Mission and Service fund of the United Church of Canada
With a budget of approximately $4000.00, the Committee provides modest financial support to Agape Table, Art City, the Betty Halstead Refugee Fund, the Christmas Hamper Fund, the Council of Women, Gordon Bell E.A.L. BursaryAward, Mamawiwichiitata Centre Inc., West Broadway Community Ministry and Westminster Housing Society.
Westminster’s Children’s Christmas Sale has become the Committee’s most popular Community Outreach event. It is an opportunity for Westminster to be serving families who find Christmas to be a difficult and marginalizing time because their budgets are very limited. Children to participate in the spirit of giving without spending more money than their parents can afford.
In addition to the Children’s Christmas Sale, Outreach initiatives include a Mitten Tree, White Gift Sunday, and Christmas Hampers. The Committee is indebted once again to all who knit and contribute to Westminster’s Mitten Tree. Knitted items are distributed to West Broadway Community Ministry, Mulvey School, Westminster Day Care, Gordon Bell Collegiate, and Fred Douglas Lodge. Outreach also involves the congregation in serving dinner at Weetamah at least twice a year.
This past year an Easter food drive was conducted for West Broadway Community Ministry. Another food drive was held for Winnipeg Harvest and school supplies were collected for families at West Broadway.
Currently the Outreach Committee is becoming involved with Refugee sponsorship. The goal is ‘Family Reunification.’ Once a suitable candidate is found who is prepared to sponsor a family member, Westminster will be helping in reuniting families.
Outreach raises its funds through various sources. A Walk-a-thon, ‘Big Steps for Little Kids,’ is held in aid of Westminster Day Care. This idea has gained the support of the congregation and last June the Walk-a-thon raised $2,591.35. Over thirty pairs of shoes were purchased for children attending Westminster Day Care and additional funds were donated to the reading program at Mulvey School. Looking after intermission refreshments for concert events at the church has been an ongoing fundraising initiative and a further revenue source.
Finally, the Outreach Committee is also responsible for Sunday ‘Minute for Mission’ reports whereby the congregation is kept abreast of the activities of the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada.
