Due to an inclement weather advisory, all activities at UPC are cancelled for the evening (Wednesday, February 12), including Thrive and choir rehearsals.


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.
Afghan Family Update: A Call for Continued Support
It’s hard to believe that the Afghan family we have been supporting have been in Michigan for three years. Mohammad Wali, along with his sons Ali and Ali Yar (originally 17 and 3), arrived just before Christmas in 2021. While we rejoice in their progress here, their story is far from complete. Left behind in Afghanistan are two wives (a cultural norm in Afghanistan), nine children, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
Where They Are Now
Since arriving in Michigan, we’ve partnered with a legal firm (Dykema, thanks to Doug Fryer) to navigate the complex immigration process for Mohammad Wali and his family. Paperwork for green cards has been submitted for the three family members here, and the initial approvals (I-730s) for several family members in Afghanistan have been secured—an important first step toward their reunification in the U.S.
Life in Michigan
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Language and Work: Mohammad Wali, while improving his English, relies on Ali, now 20, as the family’s translator. Ali works in construction, gaining skills like painting, tiling, and cabinet installation, while Mohammad Wali works night shifts at a hospital. Ali Yar, now 7, is thriving in 1st grade at North Hill Elementary, speaking fluent English.
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Financial Independence: They have largely supported themselves, paying bills and sending funds to their family in hiding.
The Path Forward
The Afghan family is now preparing to move seven family members to Pakistan to complete the U.S. immigration process at the consulate in Islamabad—a process that takes approximately five months. These family members include Mohammad Wali’s wife, Mastoora, and six of their children: sons Maiwand (19) and Yama (18) and daughters Madina (16), Asma (14), Husna (12) and Soma (10).
Estimated Costs
The cost for this next step is significant—approximately $35,000, not including new housing to support 10 people in the U.S. This includes:
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Pakistani visas and entry fees
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Housing and expenses for five months in Pakistan
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U.S. consulate interviews, medical exams, and background checks
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Exit fees and airline tickets
Meanwhile, the family members who cannot immigrate immediately plan to move to Iran, where they will be safer and share a common language.
How You Can Help
When the Afghan family first arrived, our church’s mission committee established an Afghan Family Support Fund, which has been used to assist them in getting settled. We have approximately $13,000 in this account, but as we now work to bring the remaining family members to safety, we need your support more than ever.
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To Donate: Please make checks payable to UPC with "Afghan Family Support" in the memo line. Your contributions will help fund the family's relocation and settlement.
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Other Assistance: If you have questions or other ways to help, please reach out to Michelle Bueltel at bueltel.michelle@gmail.com or 248-568-5131.
Their Story of Separation
The Afghan family's journey has been marked by heartbreak and resilience. Mohammad Wali, a construction business owner in Afghanistan, faced threats from the Taliban for working with the U.S. and its allies.
In August 2021, as Kabul fell, the family attempted to flee. Amid the chaos at the airport:
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Ali: Separated in the crowds from his family, evacuated alone to a refugee camp in Qatar before being able to reunite with his dad and brother in October of 2021 in the U.S.
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Mohammad Wali & Ali Yar: Evacuated separately due to Mohammad Wali’s health issues, undergoing surgery in Italy before being sent to the U.S. where they spent the first four months at Camp Pendleton.
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The Rest of the Family: Forced to return home after missing the last flights out, endured continued threats and were forced into a life in hiding for the past three years.
The Urgent Need
Reuniting this family is more than an act of kindness—it’s a restoration of hope and dignity for people who have endured incredible hardship. With your support, we can make their dream of safety and togetherness a reality.
Thank you for being a part of their journey. Together, we can help them build a new life filled with hope and opportunity.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
- Wed, Mar 12Baldwin Center
- Wed, Apr 09Baldwin Center
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.
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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.
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Chemo Scarves: Summer and winter chemo scarves are donated for women who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments.
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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.
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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.
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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



Monetary Support:
We are grateful for resources that allow us to contribute monetarily to a number of meaningful causes and organizations
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Camp Skyline: Long standing partnership by providing scholarships
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Malawi Matters: Annual donation
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Education Congo: Annual donation
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International Rescue Committee: Donating to Afghan and Ukraine
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A Place of Refuge: Annual donation
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: Annual donation
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Presbyterian Shared Mission: Annual donation
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Special Presbyterian Offerings:
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Peace and Global Witness Offering
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Christmas Joy Offering
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One Great Hour of Sharing
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