Siloam United Church supports a number of ongoing Outreach initiatives both financially and through volunteer participation. We are proud of our committment to reach out into the community and the world.
Other specific outreach projects
The United Church Of Canada
Mission And Service Fund
The Mission and Service Fund of the The United Church of Canada supports mission work here in Canada and overseas. It also supports the Services of the United Church such as theological colleges to train ministers and church leaders, summer camps, benevolent causes and conferences. M&S helps to support ministry in isolated parts of the country, and to uphold our community outreach and presence in the urban core.Siloam generously supports the work of the M&S Fund through s substantial monthly pledge as part of our budgeted committment to Outreach.
click here to learn more about the Mission and Service Fund
ELUCO (East London United Church Outreach)
The Life and Work of the East London United Church Outreach (ELUCO)
East London United Church Outreach (ELUCO) is a United Church ministry that advocates for and supports people to build community in the midst of challenging circumstances. This ministry primarily serves the Marconi community of south-east London but also includes the ELUCO Food Cupboard at Gethsemane Gardens and the Welcome Wednesday Hospitality Lunch program in the Huron East corridor of north-east London.
Currently, through our budget, Siloam United Church pledges $12,000 toward the annual ELUCO approximate $100,000.00 budget
Marconi Community Program
The one paid full-time Community Outreach Worker develops programs to assist those in need to become more self-reliant.
- to support family needs
- to teach life skills
- to increase self-esteem
- to build community
After-school programs encompass;
- reading buddies
- homework help
- cooperative games
- crafts
- cooking through a partnership with Growing Chefs Ontario
Healthy lifestyles programs focus on;
- music
- lunch and breakfast for school age children during school year funded from May Court grant
- exercise
- exploring healthy choices
- coping skills
- mental health
- budget planning
- employment readiness
- conservation
- opportunities to discuss relevant issues of concern and brainstorm solutions to effect change
- Collective Kitchen providing social time, team work in meal planning and preparation, and an opportunity to learn about other cultures
- Moms and Tots facilitates short term themed programs to learn and grow healthy
- sponsored day trips and camp registration to give families the opportunities they would not otherwise experience
- Ready for School to help ease children beginning Jr. Kindergarten into school activities
- provide backpacks, school supplies and snacks for back-to-school
- post-secondary education scholarship fund to assist students in their first year with books and tuition
- love and hope to families through hampers of food and gifts at Christmas as well as a lunch and party for families and other activities during March Break and holidays
Nancy Howard, the Community Outreach Worker, is also available for counselling and support for individuals and families. She is an advocate at schools, court, Children’s Aid Society, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, London Middlesex Housing Corporation, Housing Access Centre, Housing Stability Bank, Union Gas and London Hydro. She works with colleagues in the Advocates Group to lobby for social justice for low-income families and is able to make referrals to various agencies to support families.
Other ELUCO Programs
ELUCO Food Cupboard (ongoing since 1987)
A 50 year grant from The London Affordable Housing Foundation allows the ELUCO Food Cupboard to operate out of an apartment at Gethsemane Gardens,1461 Huron Street. Volunteers from Siloam and Rowntree United Churches open every Wednesday and Friday morning to residents in need from the Huron East area. Food donations are from Siloam and Rowntree but cash donations are needed to purchase grocery items not donated. A generous grant from the Sisters of St Joseph as well as a grant the Bank of Nova Scotia Retirees and individual cash donations fund this program.
Welcome Wednesday Hospitality Lunch Program (since 2008)
The Welcome Wednesday Hospitality Lunch Program held at Rowntree Memorial United Church each Wednesday from September to June includes a social time with coffee and snacks from 11 am to 12 noon. A nutritious meal is served from 10 to 1 with more social time until 1:30.Games of crokinole, dominos and cards are played during the social time. Meals are prepared and served by ELUCO and Rowntree, Siloam and Valleyview Mennonite churches. Many volunteers from the community and the churches make this program a success. This program is funded mostly by the churches who prepare and serve the meals.
Hospitality Meals
Siloam gathers a team of approximately 13 volunteers, five times throughout the year, to serve an “Out of The Cold” Hospitality Meal at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church (Wellington & St. James St.). Between 120 and 150 meals are served on each occasion to clientele who have “slipped through the cracks” of our social system.
If you have an interest in serving, please call the church office at 519-455-9201 for further information.
London Interfaith Refugee Sponsorship Alliance
Siloam supports LIRSA financially and also offers non-financial support through the time and energy of volunteers who help refugee families cope with day-to-day living.
LIRSA is dependent on human resources in order to sponsor and support refugees. The group encourages, welcomes and values the contribution made by individuals in whatever way they feel comfortable.
Every second, refugees somewhere in the world are fleeing from their homes and cities seeking safety. Their plight is hard for many of us to imagine. They leave because of fear or famine, but always with hope.
click here to learn more about LIRSA
