Our Ministries

Ministry of Justice and Compassion

At Hope Central Church, we believe God’s peace and justice are intimately connected with our faith and our lives together. We have been called to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned. We believe justice is prophetic, relational, active, and always challenging us – as individuals and society – to become what God is calling us to become.

Here is just a sampling of our Justice Ministries:

Fast-track Grants

Fast Track Grants are an expression of the richness and diversity of social justice commitments among Hope Central Church Covenant Partners. 

This program provides a quick and easy process for requesting and securing small grants and is a way to support and encourage all Covenant Partners in our work of co-creating the Kin-dom of God within the local community and beyond.  

You may use a grant to support a nonprofit organization, contribute to an event or activity, or provide help to someone in need.

Fast Track Grants are awarded in amounts of $250 or less, which makes it possible for many Covenant Partners to participate every year. Hope Central Church tithes by giving 10% of its budget to social justice causes, and Fast Track Grants are one way of doing that.  (Grants in larger amounts and/or for extended periods may be considered as potential Partner Ministries or Special Ministries of Hope Central Church. Please contact a member of the Ministry of Justice and Compassion Team to learn more.)

Be creative! Your application will be reviewed within seven days of submission by the Ministry of Justice and Compassion Fast Track Grant Team and pastoral staff.  The office will let you know if your grant has been awarded and, if not, will explain why and provide guidance on how you might re-apply.  

As a Fast Track awardee, we will ask you to be available for a short time following one of the Sunday worship services at which your grant is announced. This will give others a chance to talk with you about the organization, project or people that we are all helping to support through your initiative! 

PLEASE NOTE:  The funds that we have available under this program are subject to our receipt of overall pledge payments and plate offerings.  Applications that might otherwise deserve an award may have to be deferred, reduced in amount, or declined based on our available budget.

To apply for a Hope Central Fast Track Grant

First Step: Click here FAST TRACK GRANT APPLICATION to complete the application. 

Second Step: email the Hope Central Church Fast Track Grant Panel in care of Barbara McQueen: mrukavina4@aol.com to let them know you have completed the application.


Small Groups 

At Hope Central Church, we believe the point of Christian life is not just going to church, but “being church” in our everyday lives, and so we are working hard to develop a network of vibrant, engaging small groups. The idea of small groups is that they can gather just about anywhere, and do just about anything: study the bible, create art, watch movies, eat together, explore spiritual practices, write poetry, take hikes, play music, etc. The content and venue may vary, but the purpose is the same: to gather together to share life, tell stories, pray, serve, and grow deeper into a life of faith.

Here are some of the small groups that are currently or periodically active. All are open to newcomers. We encourage you to contact the church office for information for any group that might interest you. 

In Discernment for Ordination 

Our congregation is blessed with the spiritual work of raising up and supporting individuals for ministry. We are blessed as many seek to deepen their own sense of the divine through practice and service to the congregation, the neighborhood and the world. Some of these individuals seek to do service as ordained ministers in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or the United Church of Christ.

The following is our current candidate for Ordination. We ask you to pray for them and all who seek to rely on God for life and purpose.

To support those who are candidates for ordination, Hope Central has a Discernment for Ordination Team and support group. Individuals seeking to answer the call to ordained ministry must:

Hope Central’s Discernment for Ordination Team and pastor represent the body of Hope Central Church in formulating the recommendation of one of its members in the process of ordination in either the United Church of Christ or The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. The team is comprised of both ordained and lay members of the Church who are committed to supporting and endorsing candidates who fully understand their call and are prepared and able to carry out the work God has called them to do.

The team meets with candidates at least two times per year. These meetings are structured to question, support, challenge, bless, and love the candidate at each phase of the discernment and ordination process.

By participating in the support group, candidates for ordination form collegial bonds, learning from each others’ experience about ordaining organizations, service leadership, field education placements, confidentiality, sabbath, and boundaries, each one teaching one.

Our community has ordained (from the newest ordained):