Purpose          Goals          Resolutions          Larger Mission          Local Benevolence         Mission Focus Groups

The Social Concerns committee of the New Ark United Church of Christ helps our congregation fulfill its mission of outreach to those in need locally and internationally.

We coordinate volunteer groups, donation drives, and financial offerings, always in the spirit of our faith, reaching out with service, advocacy, and prayer.

We are aware of the injustice perpetrated upon some and seek to add our voice to those advocating for peace, justice, inclusion, compassion, and care for all people and for the earth which we share.

 

 

 

GOALS

Stimulate consciousness-raising regarding social issues;

Initiate "Call to Action" programs;

Be sensitive to, and identify, needs, providing the bridge between the congregation and needs such as Seasonal Mission projects;

Identify monetary needs of the community for benevolence giving;

Facilitate special denominational offerings like "Neighbors in Need;"

Provide an outlet for service through our Mission Focus Groups; and,

Partner with other service organizations/churches such as the Newark Empowerment Center, Code Purple and Pacem in Terris.

 

 

 

RESOLUTIONS

Numerous resolutions have evolved from our mission purpose and goals: Inclusive Language; a Just Peace church; an Open and Affirming Church; Resolution on Energy Stewardship; and an Earthwise Congregation.

 

 

 

LARGER MISSION

The New Ark contributes financial gifts annually to special offerings for denominationally supported local and global mission outreach programs. Included are: Neighbors in Need, Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM), One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), and Christmas Eve Offering (for needy retired pastors). All can be viewed at: www.ucc.org

 

 

 

In partnership with the Newark Empowerment Center, members of the New Ark

donate items for "Go-Bags." Distrubuted to NEC clients in need, the one-meal bags include

a protein, crackers and cheese/peanut butter, fruit cup, granola bar, and a drink.

 

 

 

LOCAL BENEVOLENCE

Each year our church designates a percentage of our income to be used to support local agencies serving the community's needs in ways consistent with our mission. Further, we authorize the expenditure of special funds designated for local needs. Among the many worthy organizations, we have supported are: Habitat for Humanity Delaware; Meeting Ground, Friendship House and Emmaus House for the homeless; Newark Area Welfare; Newark Empowerment Center; Epiphany House of Friendship House; Mary Randall Empowerment Center of Meeting Ground; Hope Dining Room; Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware; Meals on Wheels and Pacem in Terris.

 

 

 

MISSION FOCUS GROUPS

Honoring the congregation's diversity of interests in mission activities, rather than focus on one church-wide mission, the New Ark established Mission Focus Groups. These groups enable our members to engage in missions of their individual interest, passion, and choice that are consistent with our church's mission.

We define "group" broadly as being even one individual or a team or even a particular focus within the Social Concerns Committee. The committee supports the groups by facilitating the flow of resources and communication within the whole congregation, and by providing inspiration, financial, and spiritual support.

Currently we have the following:

 

HUNGER

Hope Dining Room: Serve a monthly lunch to needy individuals.
CROP Walk: A walk with area churches to provide funds for food [www.cws/CROP.org]
Thanksgiving Baskets: Thanksgiving meals are provided to area families.
Delaware Food Bank: Sort donated food for area shelters [www.foodbankde.org]
Empowerment Center Go-Bags: One-meal bags for the homeless and needy.
Sunday Morning Food Offering: We help supply the Newark Area Welfare Food Pantry.
"Souper" Bowl: A special offering on Super Bowl Sunday for Meals on Wheels.

 

 

HOUSING

Emmaus House: A Newark, Delaware homeless shelter [www.emmaushouse.org]
Friendship House: A Wilmington, Delaware homeless shelter [www.friendship-house.org]
Meeting Ground: An Elkton, Maryland homeless shelter [www.meetingground.org]
Code Purple: Emergency church shelter for homeless on dangerously cold nights.
Habitat for Humanity: Build homes for low-income families [www.habitatncc.org]
Home Again Fund: A New Ark account available for housing needs.

 

 

 

PEACE and JUSTICE

Fair Trade Project: Coffee, tea and chocolate for sale from Fair Trade companies that treat employees with fair wages

and decent working conditions [www.fairtrade.org]
Open and Affirming: A resolution welcoming all including all sexual orientation. [www.newarkucc.org]
Just Peace Church: A resolution promoting justice and peace issues. [www.newarkucc.org]
Inclusive Language: A resolution promoting using inclusive language.
Partnership with Pacem in Terris: Supports various peace and justice projects [www.depaceminterris.org]
Center for Conscience and War and CO Status: Information on justice and fairness regarding military registration

and/or conscientious objector [www.conscienceinwar.org]

 

SERVICE

Epiphany House: One meal a month for a women’s shelter for recently released prisoners.
Mary Randall Empowerment Center of Meeting Ground: Homeless drop-in center.
Adopt-a-Family: Food, gifts, etc. for a family-in-need for Christmas.
Donna’s Change: Funds designated to assist children needing a touch of happiness.
Newark Empowerment Center: Volunteers staff a drop-in center for the homeless/needy.
Work Camp: A trip to a place needing volunteers to help with disaster relief.
Clothing Drives: Seasonal clothing drives for Friendship House Clothing Bank.

 

 

EARTHWISE CONGREGATION

Recycle Aluminum: Monthly gathering of cans.
Light Bulbs Project: Promoting the use of CFL light bulbs.
Global Warming Interpretation and Networking: An awareness project.
Solar Electric Energy: Solar panels [Track the New Ark's progress]
Energy Stewardship Resolution: promoting solutions to global warming.
Earthwise: A Resolution promoting care of the Earth.
10-10-10 Tree Planting in Delaware: Volunteers help a tree-planting program.
National Wildlife Habitat: The NAUCC was approved and accredited by the National Wildlife Federation [www.nwf.org]