We will be working at the following urban community ministry:
The Micah Ministry is the urban, ecumenical outreach mission of Independence Boulevard Christian Church to the poor and needy in the historic Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri.
The Micah Ministry is a C.U.I.C. mission (“Churches Uniting in Christ”) designed to encourage Christian unity, end racism and “feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) It is centered around a table ministry of home-cooked suppers in which faith-based and civic volunteers partner and seek to embody the call to evangelism by heeding the words of the prophet Micah:
“He has shown you, humankind, what is good; so what does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God…” (6:8)
The “Micah Ministry”
Supper Ministry (“Robert's Cafe”) and Clothing Pantry
Monday evenings from 6-7:30 pm, free, nourishing suppers are provided to our neighbors in need inside the church, in our Friendship Room. This “cafe” ministry, drawn from Jesus' injunction that if we truly love him, we should “feed his sheep,” is principally staffed by church members and advanced urban ministry seminary students. Ida Snyder is our chief gourmet chef. “Cafe” participants cook and serve excellent homemade meals and desserts, set long tables decorated with blue checkerboard tablecloths and flowers, and play “dinnertime” music for our guests. Unlike most feeding ministries, we serve our guests at the table, rather than having them stand in a line to be fed.
Participation in the Feeding Component of the Micah Ministry is always open to youth groups and other visiting friends who are passionate about justice ministry and developing their own servant leadership. “Robert's Cafe” is named for the builder of our church, Robert A. Long, and one of our longtime guests from the neighborhood, Robert, who died in the winter of 2002 at 46, after sleeping outside overnight. All disabled guests are seated 15 minutes before regular serving begins.
While Independence Boulevard Christian Church provides most of the funding for the feeding ministry, two other area Disciples churches generously provide collateral monetary support. With advance notice, we welcome Girl or Boy Scouts and small groups from churches to come, feed and befriend our neighbors at Robert's Cafe.
Additionally, we maintain a well-stocked clothing pantry that is open each Monday evening. The pantry is organized by our student minister and volunteers from NewHouse. Women from “partner” churches sew winter hats, blankets and booties for the pantry. For those who need clothes, no appointments are necessary.
Updated: Thursday, March 26, 2009
