United Church Outreach Ministry
The Board of Directors of United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) has announced that Erik Keener is the organization’s new executive director. He succeeds the Rev. Dr. Bruce Roller, who recently retired. Keener has more than 15 years of experience at UCOM in various roles, with progressive responsibility. He is a leader in promoting a culture…
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The Rev. Dr. Bruce Roller officially retired from his position as executive director of United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) April. 1. Roller has served UCOM with dedication and distinction for 21 years and leaves behind a legacy of leadership, compassion, and impact. During his tenure, Roller spearheaded numerous initiatives that propelled UCOM forward in its…
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By Erik Keener, associate executive director, United Church Outreach Ministry in Wyoming, Mich. Reprinted from Winter 2024 Communicator. For most of us change is difficult. Whether it’s a new job, moving, an addition to the family, mourning the loss of a loved one, or just trying something different, any of these changes can be stressful…
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(Reprinted with permission from United Church Outreach Ministry’s Summer Newsletter, the Communicator.) “It’s not just a handout, but a friendship thing. You’re sharing something with someone.” This is what David had to say about the important place United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich., holds in his life. “I never knew what a jackfruit…
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By Nathan Slauer and Katie Vanderwal, reprinted with permission Deep breathing, quiet chatter, and shared stories marked the end of one of the latest classes at United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), which is based in Wyoming, Mich. Rather than the room emptying and people scattering back to their busy lives, neighbors stayed to talk one…
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By Shawn Keener, UCOM program director. Reprinted with permission. Earlier this year, United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich, invited 20 neighbors from diverse cultural backgrounds to gather quarterly and share their thoughts and hopes for the future. “Getting to know our neighbors” and “building a stronger support system” were just some of the…
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By BettyBeth Johns, workforce development director, United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), Wyoming, Mich. Reprinted with permission from the UCOM Communicator, Spring 2022. Elizabeth Nyiransaba glides through her day, chatting with everyone who crosses her path: smiling and singing and asking questions about everything from why some people are always “tigers” (crabby) to what sort of…
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By Bruce Roller, executive director of United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich. Reprinted with permission. Yes, I am a racist. This is evidenced by the fact that I can’t even let that statement stand alone. I need to give a little definition so that you don’t think of me as being a “bad“…
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The CHHSM Board of Directors, meeting online June 7-9, focused a large portion of its meeting reviewing the commitments made by the Board, staff, and members in the June 2020 statement on the pandemic of systemic racism. At the top of the list was the final report of the organization’s recently completed Race, Diversity, Equity,…
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Inspirational, motivational, soul-feeding … and just plain fun. These are some of the words used by attendees to describe the recently concluded 83rd Annual Gathering of the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, held virtually March 2-4, 2021. Attendance records were shattered at the three-day event: some 335 CHHSM members and friends registered…
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