Coordinators: Kathleen Ackroyd and Jennifer Hammons
The congregation at FCC believes that God has shaped each one of us to make a positive difference in the world. As a small church, every member’s participation is crucial to its success.
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
(Matthew 7:12)
Our Reaching Out Ministry organizes our efforts to assist those in need in our local community and worldwide. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to help raise money for various causes. Some of our ongoing projects are:
A CHRISTMAS JAR
You will be seeing this book on the table during fellowship hour after church. We will begin again collecting change for the Christmas Jar. Don’t know what we are talking about? Read the Christmas Jar book and find out. This book is a quick read and is part of our church library. Feel free to borrow the book. God has called us to make a difference in the lives of others.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is the relief, refugee and development fund of the United Church of Christ. It is one of the Special Mission Offerings received by the United Church of Christ and is a part of Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM). OGHS, as part of OCWM, carries God’s message of love and hope to people in more than eighty countries. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response. www.ucc.org/oghs
NEIGHBORS IN NEED
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry(CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. Most UCC congregations receive the NIN offering in October as part of their World Communion Sunday observance. NIN contributions can be made on-line at any time here.
www.ucc.org/nin
SONSHINE SOUP KITCHEN
We will be preparing and serving the guests of the SonShine Soup Kitchen on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 from 300PM-600PM. If anyone would like to help be the hands and feet of God and prepare and serve dinner to the guests at the SonShine Soup Kitchen, please email Merri Carlson at Merri@fcc-salem.org.
We have four wonderful volunteers for 12/31/2024!!! Would you like to join them?
Thank you Gail and Emily for “Living out your Love” and being the hands and feet of God in serving the guests at the SonShine Soup Kitchen in April. Stay tuned for a picture of Gail and Emily. Picture below is of Laura and Bridget.
Let all that you do be done in Love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH
The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations.
THE CHRISTMAS FUND
The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees. The Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross is managed by the Pension Boards.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH:
THE UPPER ROOM – http://www.urteachers.org
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE KITS – http://www.cwskits.org
LAZARUS HOUSE – http://www.lazarushouse.org
ISAIAH 58 – http://www.isaiah58nh.com