Adult
At PUCC, our adult ministry includes many programs that adults of all ages can explore and join.
Quilt Ministry
The Quilt Ministry was inspired by a group of several members of PUCC who enjoy quilting and wanted to offer support to those in our congregation experiencing a difficult time or recovering from surgery. For church members identified as benefiting from this support, the Quilt Ministry Team will make quilt squares available for church members to write a note of support or encouragement on a square that the Quilt Ministry Team will then finish into a quilt. The completed quilt is then given to the member in need in hopes they will be comforted by the words of love, faith and support from the congregation. In addition to the prayer quilts, the Quilt Ministry Team also make quilts that are presented to families when an infant is baptized.
Congregational Care
Our Congregational Care Team provides support to our congregation during their times of celebration or difficulty by sending cards, making phone calls, and the Meal Train, which is a ministry designed to support church families in need of meals during difficult times with church members willing to provide a meal when needed.
Stephen Ministry
As a Stephen Ministry congregation, our formally trained Stephen Ministers are equipped and empowered lay caregivers that provide one-to-one long term, confidential, Christ-centered care to those that are experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation, or separation due to military deployment.
Green Future Team
The Green Future Team seeks, through education and action, to guide the church body in living into our covenant with God to be stewards of the earth. We believe that the earth is suffering from a climate crisis, and that we can make a difference through both individual and group action. We are a partner with Hope for Creation locally, and Interfaith Power and Light nationally. Our efforts range from collecting hard-to-recycle items like polystyrene, to securing grants to reduce the carbon footprint of our church, to advocating the Homegrown National Park by starting to replace the church lawn with a pollinator garden.
Open and Affirming in the UCC
PUCC is committed to celebrating individuals and families who are LGBTQIA+. Each year we participate in the Kalamazoo Pride Festival with the Faith Alliance. We are also engaged with the Progressive Portage Clergy Collective who acts toward LGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools, churches, and other civic organizations. We are active at regional and national levels in the UCC to promote and encourage the celebration of families and folks of all expressions, identities, and orientations in the wider and local church.
ACE – Adult Christian Education
The Adult Christian Education programs offered at PUCC include a variety of opportunities for our congregation to participate in at various times throughout the year. We offer book discussions, where participants can share in discussion regarding a particular book. Presentations sharing spiritual trips or journeys have been shared, as well as informational/discussion programs regarding church activities or the wider community have been offered for greater understanding.