Serve at MCC and Beyond
"When the prophet Micah told his people how to practice faith, he told them to do justice and to live mercy." (Micah 6:8)
When Jesus was asked about ultimate matters, part of his response was "to love your neighbor as yourself." Practicing justice and doing acts of mercy and service put flesh on God's love. Caring for others in Jesus' name in active, tangible ways incarnates Christ's presence and heart to other, helps those we serve in places where they truly hurt and have need, and is a witness to those who are watching from the sidelines about the integrity and heart of Jesus' followers.
As a discipleship congregation, we seek to encourage the many ways that members serve God in their vocation of family, work, community and congregation. We offer servant opportunities for members to come and serve together. We strive to keep our hearts and minds open to ways in which the Spirit is calling us to new mission.
Opportunities to Serve
There are many opportunities to serve through the Madison Christian Community. Below you will find a listing of various mission groups and service activities. For more information, please contact us directly at 836-1455.
Harvest of Hope
Harvest of Hope is an ecumenical program that provides financial and program support for farm families in crisis. Since its creation by MCC members in 1986, Harvest of Hope has raised and distributed over a half million dollars of aid to more than a thousand Wisconsin farm families. In response to specific widespread farm crises, Harvest of Hope has also coordinated crop gleaning programs, hay lifts, and donation of surplus food to pantries.
Madison Area Urban Ministry
The MCC provides financial support to and participates in MUM. MUM is a local ecumenical organization devoted to "sowing seeds of social change." It focuses on addressing poverty, homelessness, racial discrimination and other issues present in the Madison community.
Wexford Ridge Food Pantry
Wexford Ridge is a subsidized housing development located near the church. Both Hope and Advent contribute food and money to the pantry at Wexford Ridge, along with other churches, schools and the Second Harvest Foodbank. Non-perishable food donations may be placed in the collection basket in the Shalom Room on Sundays.
Homeless Shelter
Transitional Housing, Inc., operates a drop-in shelter for homeless men at Grace Episcopal Church on the Capitol Square. MCC volunteers staff the shelter one night every other month. Volunteers assist people staying at the shelter, provide food, and serve breakfast.
Interfaith Hospitality Network
The MCC participates with other Madison churches in the IHN to provide shelter and assistance to homeless families. We are 'buddies' with Orchard Ridge UCC in providing shelter at Orchard Ridge about four times a year. Volunteers provide food, transportation, companionship, babysitting and tend to various other needs, depending on what is needed, while the family stays in a Madison church.
Art Ministry
Members of Hope and Advent coordinate the regular display of various forms of art work in the worship rooms and Shalom Room. Art shows have included photography, paintings, pottery, banners, quilts, children's art, fabrics, stained glass, and other media created by MCC members and others. Art is also incorporated in Hope's worship. An artist-in-residence program that would involve outreach to the larger Madison community is under consideration.
Youth Service Activities
MCC youth help with work on our grounds, participate in the Dane County Paint-A-Thon, the Taste of Madison clean-up, and regularly visit with senior citizens at Sylvan Crossing.
Haiti Partners
Haiti Partners involves MCC members and others in the Madison area who feel a sense of call to form mutually transforming partnerships with the people of Haiti. We are focusing our efforts on education, economic empowerment, health care and food, and working with the poorest of the poor in both rural and urban regions of Haiti. Our initial project is sponsoring the education of three youth in Cite Soleil (one of the poorest areas in Port-au-Prince) and working with Heifer Project International to support adult literacy programs in poor, rural Haitian communities. Haiti Partners also offers a travel exchange program to foster greater awareness of the Haitian people and culture and an economic empowerment program through which Haitian art is sold in the U.S. Contact Bryan Sirchio and Emma Catlett-Sirchio (233-5840) or Roger Williams (839-4758) for more information.
Global Connections Task Force
The slogan "Think globally, act locally" reminds us that we are global citizens. At Madison Christian Community, we strive to think and act both globally and locally as Christians. A major undertaking for the community in 2002 has been to assist with the resettlement of the Gorvegos, a family of five from Liberia. Their presence at MCC is a blessing that helps us to see our world through their eyes. Fundraising efforts to support the Gorvego family included giving a tithe to a hospital in Liberia, Stand With Africa Campaign through the ELCA, and supporting mission work of some of our members in Haiti (Haiti Partners).
Prairie
Many years ago Madison Christian Community was farmland. Today, even though eleven thousand cars drive by on Old Sauk Road on an average day, Madison Christian Community provides a rural oasis in an urban environment. Prairie restoration is an ongoing project for the people of MCC. On days of gentle breezes, people whose gaze has turned to the prairie grasses notice that the grass does the wave with more grace than fans at a Badger football game.