-Interfaith potlucks: Members and friends of Shalom, the CUUC (Unitarians), the local Mosque and  Synagogue as well as other people of faith take turns meeting at our places of worship for potlucks and dialogue. Participants hope to build regard and appreciation for people of all faiths, and to build a network within our community.              

--Fair Trade Coffee and SERRV sales: Fair Trade coffee is served at Shalom during coffee hour. A variety of coffee (beans and ground) can be purchased at any time, as well as tea, cocoa and chocolate. A few times a year special sales are held to promote Fair Trade products including hand crafted items purchased from SERRV. 

     Coffee is purchase from Equal Exchange, through the United Church of Christ Coffee project. This is a way for our “ congregation to join hands with communities in the developing world. As Christians we can address a consumer dilemma by buying coffee that is fairly traded. Through the project, farmers and their families gain more control over their lives, earn a fairer share of income, have access to credit and technical support, and gain a trading partner they can trust, a fair trade organization called Equal Exchange.” At the same time, our congregation is learning about the impacts of our consumer habits and how to advocate for more just global economic and sustainable policies for coffee producers, small farmers, and workers throughout the world. 

     Hand crafts and chocolate is purchased from SERRRV. For 60 years SERRV has worked on behalf of the world’s Artisans and Farmers. One of the first alternative trade organizations in the world, SERRV is a founding member of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) and a member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF). Their work encompasses more than just buying and selling.  They offer prepayments so their partners can sustain their business, create new designs so they can build their markets, teach new skills so they can develop their craft, and provide grants so they can expand their resources. They also support equal rights for women, guide sustainable development, and of course, pay a fair wage. Our purchases give us the chance to have a direct impact on our global market’s great injustices: the inequality in income and quality of life for people living in developing countries.

-Food Bank collection: In 2008 our food drive occurred during the summer when community donations are low. (Non-perishable food items can be placed at any time in the basket under the coat rack in the narthex). We also have a produce table where people can bring extras from their garden on Sunday for others to purchase, with proceeds going to the food bank. 

-Gleaning participation: Gleaning is harvesting the remaining produce from the field after the farmer has harvested the crop. Shalom members participate in this new program, a mission of West Side Church in Richland, along with many other community groups. The produce is donated to 2^nd harvest which distributes it to area food banks.

Others:

-Crop Walk (money donated went to 2^nd Harvest and Church World Service)

-Earth Month: McMurrary Park cleanup, and others. (The park is in Shalom’s back yard).

-Community Garden (on Shalom property)

-Sponsor a child from Zimbabwe (funds come from Christian ed. & Fair Trade sales)

-Alternative Gift Fair (put on by the CUU church: donations to charities for gifts)

 Special Offerings are gifts that are specially designated for the Conference, national setting or UCC-related institutions. By mandate of the UCC General Synod, each local church receives promotional material for the four Special Mission Offerings:

One Great Hour of Sharing:

Supports partners in more than 70 countries with ministries that fund development projects, feed the victims of famine, provide services for displaced people, and respond to natural disasters. These ministries are the responsibility of Wider Church Ministries, Global Sharing of Resources. Received annually on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

Strengthen the Church:

Supports church growth and leadership development in the conferences and through the national offices of Local Church Ministries. Received annually on Pentecost Sunday.

Neighbors in Need:

Supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including ministry carried out by the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM) and by the national offices of Justice and Witness Ministries. Received annually on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday of October.

The Christmas Fund:

Provides financial aid to retired and active ministers and their surviving spouses and children who face overwhelming financial demands, a ministry carried out by the Pension Boards. Received annually on the Sunday before Christmas.

Check Our the Links Page  to view some of our partners in mission and community resources that you may find helpful.