Outreach ministry priorities 2025
LOCAL
Food security
Fishes and Loaves
The first Tuesday of each month, Lakeshore United Church volunteers gather in the kitchen to prepare to-go home cooked meals to distribute locally.
Marilyn Potter oversees the program at Lakeshore United Church with generally 4 or 5 people gathering in the morning and the afternoon to prepare the food for the clients to pickup. The meal is ready to be picked up between 4 and 5 p.m. after which time a few deliveries are made if necessary.
In 2024 we provided 1,104 meals to our clients and over 50 meals to Pastoral Care.
Marilyn Potter oversees the program at Lakeshore United Church with generally 4 or 5 people gathering in the morning and the afternoon to prepare the food for the clients to pickup. The meal is ready to be picked up between 4 and 5 p.m. after which time a few deliveries are made if necessary.
In 2024 we provided 1,104 meals to our clients and over 50 meals to Pastoral Care.
Food Collection for Food Bank
Food drives are initiated in the congregation by the Outreach committee on a regular basis.
Affordable housing
Coldest Night of the Year Walk (CNOY)
Each year Lakeshore United Church participates in the Coldest Night of the Year.
In February 2024 we raised over $3,500 for support of homeless people in Huron County. We fielded the third largest out of 49 teams with 14 people registered, but there were even more Lakeshore people participating on other teams.
This year, the event will take place on February 22, 2025.
In February 2024 we raised over $3,500 for support of homeless people in Huron County. We fielded the third largest out of 49 teams with 14 people registered, but there were even more Lakeshore people participating on other teams.
This year, the event will take place on February 22, 2025.
Affirming Ministry
As an Affirming Ministry in Huron County, we are public, intentional and explicit about the full inclusion of people of all gender identities and sexual orientations at Lakeshore United Churhc, in The United Church of Canada and Canadian society.
On April 6, 2025 LUC will celebrate its one-year anniversary as an Affirming Ministry with a special worship service and celebration.
Throughout the year, we participate in Huron Pride events and Affirm United conferences.
In 2024 we attended the event and shared news about our Affirming status. On Sunday, Lakeshore United hosted the Sunday church service with Rev Alex Jebson officiating. Once again, we gathered in the fellowship hall after worship for coffee, tea and treats.
On April 6, 2025 LUC will celebrate its one-year anniversary as an Affirming Ministry with a special worship service and celebration.
Throughout the year, we participate in Huron Pride events and Affirm United conferences.
In 2024 we attended the event and shared news about our Affirming status. On Sunday, Lakeshore United hosted the Sunday church service with Rev Alex Jebson officiating. Once again, we gathered in the fellowship hall after worship for coffee, tea and treats.
Loneliness
Stay tuned for initiatives to help combat loneliness in our community.
Education and Social Advocacy
Committee members participate in various committees, attend meetings of interest to advocate for the priorities we've identified.
NATIONAL
Right Relations and Reconciliation
GLOBAL
Climate justice
PAST PROJECTS
Homeless Shelter - Huron Out of the Cold
Lakeshore United Church housed the Huron Out of the Cold shelter for four winters until the County of Huron moved to a motel-model that provides clients with all-day space and greater privacy to receive care required.
According toCTVnews.ca on November 4, 2023, "Over four winters of the overnight church model, more than 26 individuals were permanently housed. The hope is that the motel room model will bump up those numbers that find permanent shelter."
According toCTVnews.ca on November 4, 2023, "Over four winters of the overnight church model, more than 26 individuals were permanently housed. The hope is that the motel room model will bump up those numbers that find permanent shelter."
The Welcome Project
Welcome Project 1 - In 2016, Lakeshore United sponsored the Maguets, a family of 14 from the Sudan living in a refugee camp in Kenya.
Welcome Project 2 - In 2020 Lakeshore United sponsored a young man from Syria and helped him settle in Canada.
Orphanage Trips
Almost every year since 2004, our church has sent teams of people to work on orphanage build projects in Latin America. We finished one in Guatemala. We finished one in Dominican Republic. We finished one in Peru. We have had one team in Bolivia in October 2015. We had another team go to Peru in January 2017, 2019 and 2023. We do construction, gardening, painting, sewing classes; anything that is needed to serve the children and contribute to a good head start in their lives. Our rewards are the hugs and high-fives that we get from the children. The sunshine and heat are nice too.
Want to learn more? Want to contribute? Call Andy at 519-524-1135 or [email protected].
Want to learn more? Want to contribute? Call Andy at 519-524-1135 or [email protected].