Ecclesial & Community Partnership
Believing that the Lord’s intent for human life is manifest when people join together in service of the common good, Grace Urban Ministries seeks to foster partnership among congregations, and collaboration with the larger community.
Pastoral Relationship-building
GUM builds relationships among pastors of different congregations by setting up one-on-ones, inviting pastors to community issue forums, hosting theological convenings, and exploring collaborative ministry opportunities that mutually discerned at the pastoral level. Learn More
Multi-congregational Partnership Development
Particularly where several local churches are faced with common community challenges, GUM engages congregational leadership to discern ways for the congregations to work in partnership to address such challenges, for example, health and immigration-related crises, or joint preparation for natural disasters. Learn More
Service Opportunity Coordination
GUM serves as a point of contact for service opportunities for which partner congregations require additional volunteer support. Through such opportunities, congregants are able to experience and learn how other churches are ministering in their respective communities, while building relationships with brothers and sisters. Learn More
Community Participation
To stay informed about, and sensitive to, the current realities, challenges and dynamics of a particular community, or the city at large, GUM staff and partners actively participate in neighborhood organizations and networks. Through such participation, opportunities for collaboration between churches and agencies are surfaced. Learn More
Faith-based Networking
When it comes to social ministry and justice issues, for example, affordable housing, immigrant rights, or health care, the Church often finds natural allies with those from religious traditions outside of the Christian faith. GUM, representing Christian congregations, participates in a number of inter-faith networks where collaborative efforts can be forged. Learn More
From our latest newsletter…
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Last Spring’s Health Day at Willie Brown College Preparatory Academy was our last. The school’s closure at the end of the 2010-2011 academic year marked the end of our church’s first exploration into neighborhood ministry. As I reflected on our six-year partnership with the Wellness Center at Willie Brown, I began to see how it had formed our view of partnership."