WE HELP OTHERS IN OTTAWA (W.H.O.O.)
First UMC's WHOO benevolence fund is a ministry of the church for emergency assistance to our neighbors in need. Inspired by the model of the "Good Samaritan" from Jesus' parable in chapter 10 of Luke's Gospel, our goal is to help folks experiencing crisis get back on the path to wholeness, and to help prevent folks from falling into crisis, the metaphorical, and for our unhoused neighbors sometimes literal, "ditch".
Supported primarily by congregational donations and occasional local grants, we have provided for needs from train tickets to temporary shelter, rental assistance, utility assistance, blankets, shoes, groceries, medicine, clothing, children's coats, and aid to refugees. Because we are not an agency, we provide referrals and information for longer term resource needs, and our reach is limited. But we regularly work with partners in the community to create a bridge to longer term thriving. This aid is a gift, not a loan, and carries no strings attached. Recipients are invited, but not required, to join us for worship and fellowship and build relationship together. The only requests that we have are for honesty and a shared commitment to move in the direction of health and wholeness.
If you need help, please reach out to the church office. If you want to be a part of assisting the most vulnerable in our community, click the "donate" button below and select WHOO Fund from the drop-down menu or send checks payable to "First UMC Ottawa" to the address on the HOME page with "WHOO" written in the memo line of the check.
For additional Scriptural resources that inform this ministry, check out Isaiah 58:5-12, Matthew 25:31-46, and James 2:14-17
Supported primarily by congregational donations and occasional local grants, we have provided for needs from train tickets to temporary shelter, rental assistance, utility assistance, blankets, shoes, groceries, medicine, clothing, children's coats, and aid to refugees. Because we are not an agency, we provide referrals and information for longer term resource needs, and our reach is limited. But we regularly work with partners in the community to create a bridge to longer term thriving. This aid is a gift, not a loan, and carries no strings attached. Recipients are invited, but not required, to join us for worship and fellowship and build relationship together. The only requests that we have are for honesty and a shared commitment to move in the direction of health and wholeness.
If you need help, please reach out to the church office. If you want to be a part of assisting the most vulnerable in our community, click the "donate" button below and select WHOO Fund from the drop-down menu or send checks payable to "First UMC Ottawa" to the address on the HOME page with "WHOO" written in the memo line of the check.
For additional Scriptural resources that inform this ministry, check out Isaiah 58:5-12, Matthew 25:31-46, and James 2:14-17
Office HoursM-F: 9am - 1pm
Closed Thursdays |
Telephone(815) 433-1060
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Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.