National/World Missions

Our mission giving and special offerings such as the One Great Hour of Sharing are administered through the deacons. They are our front line for expressing our Christian care and concern to sisters and brothers whom we do not even know. Currently a portion of our disaster assistance monies are being sent for relief of victims of Hurricane Katrina and, through national Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, to many other places of need worldwide. A few of our other mission giving opportunities are:

CROP Walk

CROP Walks help to support the overall ministry of Church World Service, especially the grassroots, hunger-fighting development efforts in more than 80 countries. CROP Walks help to provide tools of hope that empower people to meet their own needs. From seeds and tools, to wells and water systems, to nutrition-enhancing Moringa trees, to technical training and micro-enterprise loans, the key is people working together to identify their own development priorities, their strengths and their needs. Each fall, members of Chapel Lane participate in the Midland CROP Walk to raise money for local and global hunger projects.

HEIFER International: Ending hunger, Caring for the world

Heifer envisions a world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet. Heifer’s mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Heifer's strategy is to “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. Chapel Lane Youth sponsor a HEIFER International table each year at our Share fare, raising funds and having fun!

Two Coins a Meal

In 1989 the Presbytery of Lake Huron established a partnership with the FIEC (now IEPC) churches in Costa Rica. Hunger among those in the IEPC communities was early recognized as a growing problem especially among the children who make up more than 30% of the population. The churches of the presbytery began to participate in the Two Coins a Meal offering, and have dedicated half of the offering to help alleviate hunger in the IEPC communities. The remaining 50% of the offering supports hunger programs chosen by each local church (25%) and Lake Huron Presbytery (25%). Currently more than 300 children in the IEPC communities depend upon meals provided by a feeding program that is supported through the Two Coins a Meal offering. Each month at Chapel Lane, children lead the “Bucket Brigade” at Sunday worship and gather coins for this ministry. It is a joyful, noisy collection that touches the lives of many!