Ministries

Ministries

Local Ministries

Food Pantry

Central’s food pantry provides short-term assistance to families in the Pontiac-Waterford area. Opportunities exist to donate food or funds to the food pantry and to help stock and organize the pantry. If you need assistance with food, please visit the food pantry page to learn how to apply.

Waterford Area CROP Walk

This event typically takes place one Sunday afternoon in early October.
CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. Everyone can participate in this annual event as either a walker or in sponsoring a walker.

Blessings in a Backpack – Waterford

Every Wednesday at a local elementary school.
A national program, Blessings in a Backpack provides weekend food for children in our local schools who are living below the poverty level. Many prayers, volunteer hours, and donations have kept this program going. Since 2011, it has met the needs of some of the hungry children in our community. All are welcome to donate, pack, and distribute.

Clothe-a-Child

This ministry occurs in November and December each year.
CUMC is in contact with social workers at three Waterford elementary schools to provide clothing to children in Waterford schools. When a child is recommended, all children in their family, from infant through high school, receive pants, a top, 2 pairs of underwear, 2 pairs of socks, a hat, and mittens/gloves. Toddlers and infants also receive diapers if requested. All are welcome to donate to help organize donations. Volunteers are also needed around the holiday to pack and deliver the clothing to local schools.

Craft and Vendor Show

This event happens one week each year in the spring.
Over 30 vendors featuring hand-made items are on display in the Fellowship Hall of the church. The event raises money for Central’s ministries. Everyone is welcome to volunteer to set up, make, and/or serve food, help vendors unload/load, and clean up after the event.

Rummage Sale

This event happens one week each year in the fall.
This ministry provides low-cost shopping opportunities to the community and raises money for local mission partners that Central supports. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to donate, help set up, and help run the event.

Micah 6

This ministry occurs 2-3 times per year.
Micah 6 is a local non-profit dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the Pontiac area. There are various opportunities to volunteer, including working in the gardens, helping rehab homes and helping to build the new Pontiac Community Center.

Regional and International Ministries

Knit for Kids

Ongoing and Self-Directed
Knit for Kids provides sweaters, baby blankets, and baby caps for children in need throughout the US and the world. World Vision is the coordinator of this program. Anyone who knits or crochets and has a passion for helping babies is welcome to participate. This ministry is done individually at home by each participant, and finished products are turned into the church throughout the year.

To Participate: Please visit the Knit for Kids table by the stairway outside of the Sanctuary to find patterns and free yarn for sweaters, baby caps, baby blankets, and kid’s hats. Any pattern is acceptable; we just ask that you use soft baby yarn for the baby items. Drop completed items off at the table and they will be mailed to World Vision.

Scholarships for Liberian Students

As part of the Liberia Covenant of the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, Central UMC provides scholarships for 24 children annually to the C.W. Duncan UMC School in Clara Town, Monrovia, Liberia. To support this initiative, Central holds Liberia-focused worship services, informs the congregation via offering stories, and conducts various fundraisers and