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Mission
& Community Partners

Learn more about how we partner with our community as we seek to participate in the work God is up to in the world. 

We are a Matthew 25 Church:

In 2021 UPC accepted an invitation by the PC(USA) to actively engage in the world by acting boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor. 

​Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

  • Fall Festival
    Fall Festival
    Fall Festival
    Sat, Oct 12
    University Presbyterian Church
    Oct 12, 2024, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
    University Presbyterian Church, 1385 S Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, USA
    Oct 12, 2024, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
    University Presbyterian Church, 1385 S Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, USA
    Get ready for a spook-tacular fall festival on October 12th! Starting at 4:00 PM, join us for an afternoon packed with festive fun and treats for all ages. Bring your family and friends for a howling good time!
  • Volunteer at Baldwin Center
    Volunteer at Baldwin Center
    Volunteer at Baldwin Center
    Wed, Nov 13
    Baldwin Center
    Nov 13, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Baldwin Center, 212 Baldwin Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342, USA
    Nov 13, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Baldwin Center, 212 Baldwin Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342, USA
    Our assignments will vary depending on what Baldwin has going on each day, but we are volunteering on Wednesdays when the kitchen is open in order to work on meal preparation. Meet at UPC at 8:40 AM or Baldwin Center. If you have any questions, please email Carol Johnson at rjohnsonc@gmail.com.
  • Volunteer at Baldwin Center
    Volunteer at Baldwin Center
    Volunteer at Baldwin Center
    Wed, Dec 11
    Baldwin Center
    Dec 11, 2024, 9:00 PM – Dec 12, 2024, 12:00 AM
    Baldwin Center, 212 Baldwin Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342, USA
    Dec 11, 2024, 9:00 PM – Dec 12, 2024, 12:00 AM
    Baldwin Center, 212 Baldwin Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342, USA
    Our assignments will vary depending on what Baldwin has going on each day, but we are volunteering on Wednesdays when the kitchen is open in order to work on meal preparation. Meet at UPC at 8:40 AM or Baldwin Center. If you have any questions, please email Carol Johnson at rjohnsonc@gmail.com.

Community Partners

Afghan Family Co-Sponsorship

Forever Pride Action

Neighborhood House

Humble Design

Baldwin Center Soup Kitchen

The New Foster Care

Jail & Outreach Ministry -
Fill-A-Van Program

Red Cross

Life Remodeled

Micah 6 Community

Rainbow Connection

Food Pantry Collection for Local Universities

Knit Wits

UPC continues to support our Afghan family through the immigration process, assistance in understanding our medical and tax systems, as well as social and financial assistance. 

UPC supports Pride Prom and Pride in the Park with volunteers and a financial donation. We served as a  Platinum Sponsor and as the stage sponsor for Pride in the Park 2024.

Collections: UPC collects food monthly for NH. Additionally, volunteer opportunities are made available to UPC members as well as monetary donation opportunities.

Holiday Basket: UPC generously supports this annual program by providing 36 holiday food gift cards in bags and delivered them to families in need.

UPC sponsors a home every year and volunteers help to decorate and furnish a house to help welcome a family out of homelessness. Gifts are also left for the family.

UPC volunteers continue to donate needed items and serve regularly at Baldwin, in addition to our regular monetary donations.

UPC donates personal hygiene items during May for Foster Care Awareness Month. UPC also gives monetarily to help with the new foster care bridge program.

UPC collects food and monies for Thanksgiving baskets and other donations.

UPC regularly hosts blood drives and donates money to International Red Cross, providing assistance for places like Gaza.

Volunteers from UPC join thousands of volunteers in October to continue work to clean-up and refurbish the neighborhood surrounding Cooley High School in Detroit, in addition to monetary donations.

We are grateful to partner with Micah 6 a few times a year for volunteer days, as well as through financial donations.

UPC's Youth Group volunteers occasionally at rainbow connection.

UPC assists with food collection whenever our neighbors at Oakland University or Rochester Christian University reaches out with a need for their food pantry.

The Knit Wits, etc. ministry at University Presbyterian Church provides the opportunity to make things that give both physical and spiritual comfort for those in need in our community. Some projects involve knitting and crocheting, others sewing and quilting, but there are also opportunities for those whose talents lie in other directions to support our programs. 

  • Baby Layette: Donated to mothers in need, specifically for mothers in foster care bringing their babies home from Henry Ford Hospital in downtown Detroit. Each baby layette consists of a baby blanket, baby afghan, receiving blanket, onesie (0-3, 3-6 months), sleeper (0-3, 3-6 months), cap, and booties/socks. All types of crafters can do this project. This project is open to all crafters, as afghans, caps, and booties/socks can be knit or crocheted, while the blankets are sewn and the baby clothing is purchased. Yearly a group meets to assemble the Baby Layettes. 

  • Chemo Scarves: Summer and winter chemo scarves are donated for women who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments. 

  • Neck Coolers: The Neck Coolers are sent to soldiers overseas, especially in regions like Iraq and Afghanistan, where temperatures can reach up to 140º. The neck coolers are made from muslin fabric with special water-absorbing packets that contain crystals. When soaked in water, the crystals expand, and the cooler can be tied around the neck to provide relief in extreme temperatures. They can be used up to 30 times, making them a practical and cost-effective solution for soldiers in hot climates. 

  • Prayer Squares: Squares serve as a gentle reminder to take a moment to pray and can easily be kept in a pocket, backpack, or purse. Additionally, they make a thoughtful gift for those who may be going through a difficult time, as they carry with them the knowledge that someone is thinking of them and keeping them in their prayers. 

  • Mitten Tree: Purchasing and making waterproof gloves, scarves, and hats to donate to Detroit Street Cares, a group that provides medical care to people struggling with homelessness in Detroit.

UPC in Action

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Monetary Support:

We are grateful for resources that allow us to contribute monetarily to a number of meaningful causes and organizations

  • Camp Skyline: Long standing partnership by providing scholarships

  • Malawi Matters: Annual donation

  • Education Congo: Annual donation

  • International Rescue Committee: Donating to Afghan and Ukraine

  • A Place of Refuge: Annual donation

  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: Annual donation

  • Presbyterian Shared Mission: Annual donation

  • Special Presbyterian Offerings: ​

    • Peace and Global Witness Offering

    • Christmas Joy Offering 

    • One Great Hour of Sharing

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