PaWaTing/NAEP
Northlawn UM Church hosts twice-weekly gatherings of PaWaTing MeGedWin KiKaajik, the Native American Elders Program (NAEP) sponsored by the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church.
PaWaTing MeGedWin KiKaajik, the Native American Elders Program (NAEP), gathers every Tuesday and Thursday at Northlawn UM Church in the Fellowship Hall (lower level; take stairs or elevator/press 1).
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with lunch served at 11:30 a.m.. Each PaWaTing participant is also able to take home an extra meal, so every elder receives four meals a week through the program, which typically serves between 40 and 100 people at each meal.
Besides offering weekly meals and fellowship, PaWaTing provides these important resources for Native American elders:
- Blood pressure and blood sugar screenings twice a month, in partnership with Calvin College nursing students;
- Information on housing, jobs, counseling, addiction treatment and other services, through regular visits from Dept. of Human Services and Native American Community Services staff;
- Access to pastoral care and counseling, prayer and spiritual support, and hospital and nursing home visits, upon request.
Volunteers prepare and serve PaWaTing meals, and volunteer efforts also are vital to other services available through NAEP. The program is funded through donations, grants, and individual tax-deductible gifts.
To connect with PaWaTing MeGedWin KiKaajik online, click here.