Mission and Outreach

First Congregational UCC currently has seven Primary Mission Partners. Our mission efforts encompass local, national, and international communities. In addition to financial support of these Covenant Mission Partners, our members also provide them with leadership and hands-on mission support.  In addition, many other agencies and programs are supported by our members' volunteer efforts as well as financially.

For more information on any of our church’s Mission Partners and opportunities to serve them, contact the Church Office.

Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley

Mission:  Through Christian service we seek to advocate for the homeless, work towards prevention and understanding of the causes of homelessness, and provide support financially and spiritually for those served by the Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley.

The Emergency Shelter provides temporary shelter to homeless individuals and families in the Fox Valley area.  They provide management support for job placement, housing, counseling and community referrals.  They also have a "prevention" program that helps prevent those on the margins from becoming homeless.  A new grant also is providing for medical needs of residents at the Shelter.

Our partnership with the Emergency Shelter has been longstanding and encompasses the recognition that people need to feel a sense of dignity and hope in order to change the course of their lives.  Members of First Congregational cook and serve meals at the Shelter on the third Sunday evening of every month, serve on the Board of Directors, and volunteer in other capacities.

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT:  Cindi MacSwain......733-6229

Opportunities for Service:

Cook and Serve Dinner:  The third Sunday of every month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Sign up at the Mission Table in the narthex.

Provide Dessert:  Drop off desserts on the third Sunday of the month at the Shelter -- anytime that day.  Sign up at the Mission Table in the narthex.

Cook and Serve Saturday Breakfast:  Congregants are encouraged to organize fellow congregants and friends to plan, cook and serve Saturday breakfast.

Reception Desk:  Days and evenings -- answer the phone, greet visitors and clients, write thank you cards.  A short orientation class and background check is required for this volunteer position.

Cook and Serve Dinner:  Congregants can join with other smaller groups to provide dinner on other than the regularly scheduled Sunday.  Call the Shelter for dates.

Contribute Supplies:  Personal care items, socks, towels, and twin sheets are some of the items collected year round -- they can be put in the basket at the east end of the narthex.  Check the website for the specific current needs (www.emergencyshelterfoxvalley.com).

Deliver Supplies:  Volunteers are needed at Christmas time to collect and deliver items from a special collection via the Giving Tree program.

Youth Service Projects:  Coordinate a project with the First Congo youth, such as serving breakfast.

Awareness Projects:  Coordinate a project that promotes education and awareness of poverty and homelessness.

Volunteer Events Coordinator:  Plan and coordinate a thank you brunch for all those who have volunteered with the Shelter from our congregation.

Special Events Volunteer:  Alternative Gift Market (November) and Garden Walk (July)

Pray:  Pray regularly for those who provide service, create services and seek these services.
 

Habitat for Humanity

Mission:  To give our church members the opportunity to put God's love into action by actively supporting the effort to make affordable home ownership available.

Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to elimination of substandard housing throughout the world.  HFH works in partnership with low-income families and volunteers to build simple, decent houses financed through zero-interest loans.  Each partner family invests 300 hours of "sweat equity" into their home or gives other service to their local affiliate. 

HFH has been a Primary Mission Partner of First Congregational UCC since the early days of the affiliate.  Our church provides volunteers for various committees, fund-raising projects, building homes and the Re-Store, as well as budgeting dollars for the local affiliate.

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT:  Kristy Smits......687-8876

Opportunities for Service:

Re-Store:  Retail help, pick up donations, tear down buildings

Building homes:  Ongoing building on specific First Congregational summer building Saturdays; Women's Blitz

Donate meals:  For volunteers at building sites.

Oktoberfest:  Booth coordinator and volunteers to help

Mall gift wrap:  During Christmas season

Committees:  Leadership roles on the partnership Ministry Team, HFH affiliate committees

Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, Mississippi

Mission:  To support our UCC affiliated mission with hands on ministry via work camps, with budgetary and special support, as well as advocate for justice on behalf of those in circumstances of poverty and oppression.

First Congregational has been in partnership with Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi since 1992.  There have been 8 adult work trips and 1 youth work trip to Back Bay since then, along with annual shrimp sales in November/December.  Adult work trips had been scheduled every other year and are now scheduled annually for one week during the month of October or November.

Back Bay Mission has served the poor and homeless along the Gulf since 1922.  Back Bay staff and those they serve have been overwhelmed by the devastation from hurricane Katrina -- yet the staff continues to walk courageously forward, mapping out new ways that Back Bay Mission can serve the people of that area.

Our congregation offered gifts of approximately $40,000 to Back Bay during 2005 in special support of the Mission and those affected by Katrina.  A group of 11 adults from First Congregational also traveled to Biloxi in November 2005 to help with disaster recovery -- gutting homes, building relationships..."Rebuilding Lives, Rebuilding Hope".

PARTNERSHIP CONTACTS:  Al & Pam Benzschawel
                                            738-1614

Opportunities for Service:

Participate in a work trip:   Trips are scheduled every fall -- skills needed are an open heart and mind, flexibility and humor!

Donate:  Gas cards or $ to offset trip costs; offer vans for the all trip; donate money for building supplies for the homes that will be rebuilt or scholarship assistance to those participating in the work trips

Help with fund raising efforts:  Write articles for The Open Door, help with the Alternative Chistmas Market display

Pray:  For the staff of Back Bay Mission and those they serve.

Advocate:  For justice on behalf of the poor; for affordable housing.

 

Kenya Partnership

Mission:  To engage in mutual global partnership with members of the African Inland Churches in the Kerio Valley, Kenya.

Since the partnership began in 1998, we have supported them with:  the establishment of a revolving loan fund for the women of the churches, selling craft items made by the women at our Alternative Christmas Market; helping to complete construction of a church building and a youth center/library; the establishment of a fund for use by the pastors for loans and pensions; restoring an irrigation system and replacing crops destroyed by the tribal conflict and drought; provided scholarships for youth to attend school; and supported two clinics in the Valley.

We are currently working on helping the people of the Valley be able to have accessible clean water.  A group of 5 adults traveled to Kenya in June 2006 to begin work on this water purification project, with the goal of installing the first system in fall/winter 2007.

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT:  Dr. Jack Harris......734-5995

Opportunities for Service:

Kenya Partnership Team:  Participate on the team and help facilitate new projects as they continue to evolve.

Travel to Kenya:  With future delegations that will be installing purification systems, working with the women regarding female genital mutilation, painting/building, exchanging cultural and spiritual beliefs and values.

Alternative Christmas Market:  Help with Gift Market display and selling the women's craft items.
 

Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley   

Mission:  To be an expression of God's love, facilitating emotional healing for women, men and youth -- regardless of financial status or faith background -- so that they may develop more fully their relationships with self, others and God.

Samaritan Counseling Center offers faith based mental health services to people and congregations throughout the Fox Valley.  The staff includes licensed and certified mental health professionals buttressed by their own faith, belief in the importance of God in healing and growth, and special skill in the use of faith in the counseling process.

First Congregational was instrumental in beginning this ministry 35 years ago and continues to support it as a Primary Mission Partner.  We have offered budgetary financial help to the Center for general needs, as well as for the Samaritan Fund, which subsidizes counseling for low-income and uninsured clients.  We also have members who serve on the Board of Directors and other committees.

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT:  Betty Masaros........733-1665

Opportunities for Service:

Awareness:   Help with awareness, education and fund raising

Other:  Web site updating, other technical support, participate on committees, Board of Directors

Pray:  Pray for the staff and all they serve.

E.S.T.H.E.R. (Empowerment, Solidarity, Truth, Hope,
Equality, Reform)

Mission:  Drawing members of First Congregational together with other faith groups in the Fox Valley to build community and work on issues of justice for the common good of all.

First Congregational was among the core group of congregations that joined together in November 2004 to begin this justice-based organization in the Fox Valley.  The mission of the group is to identify and address root causes of poverty and injustice, promote community relationships and awareness that is essential for change, and work at all levels to promote and respond to social justice concerns.

Each faith community develops its own core team that can meet regularly and has representation on the Leadership Board.  Members are encouraged to join issue committees that relate to personal interests and concerns.

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT:  Joan Jensen......733-5090

Opportunities for Service:

Participate:  Be part of the core team and join an "issues committee".

Advocate:  Write letters to congressional leaders regarding justice issues, write articles for The Open Door

Awareness:  Facilitate forums regarding issues, help with mailings and the annual ESTHER banquet

Alternative Gift Market

Mission:  The Alternative Gift Market takes place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and has been an annual event since 1995.  Gifts can be given either to help projects affiliated with Alternative Gifts International or to support groups with which our congregation has a mission partnership relationship or other longstanding association.  It is a unique way to honor special people on your Christmas list with authentic, life-giving gifts to those who are most in need throughout the world.

Your support truly makes a difference worldwide -- whether it is in protecting our endangered planet, offering life sustaining needs such as food, clean water and medicines, providing bicycles for medical workers, or refuge for enslaved children.  In 2006, over $14,900 in gifts were purchased/given in addition to craft and bake sale proceeds!

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT:  Karen Leigh-Post......954-0455

Opportunities for Service:

Leadership team:  Help in organizing this event, write articles and help with PR, help tally the individual gift totals

Calligraphy:  Calligraphers needed for personalizing cards

Bake Sale:  Provide goods and help sell on market day

SERRV:  Help set up and sell SERRV crafts; help tally the individual gift totals

Sponsor a Table/Gift:  Promote a gift via awareness

Church Camps:  Moon Beach and Pilgrim Center

Mission:  Provides outdoor ministry opportunities for people of all ages, races, creeds and abilities to foster growth in relationships with God, others and the whole creation.

Our conference supports two beautiful camps, Moon Beach Camp located on Moon Lake at St.Germain, Wisconsin, and Pilgrim Center located on Green Lake near Ripon, Wisconsin.

The outdoor ministry of our Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ provides these two settings for people to gather and share their lives and faith.  Woods, trails, a labyrinth nestled in the woods, lakes, shores and beautiful lodges offer space for spiritual renewal while fellowship, campfires, swimming, sailing, canoeing and hiking offer much fun and relaxation!

Several families from First Congregational attend "Family Camp", some members attend "Grandparent and Me" camp, and youth attend various age level and specialty camps.  Members have also participated in "work weekend and work weeks" offered by the camps.

Opportunities for Service:

Adopt-A-Cabin:  Contribute funds for renovation supplies; participate in work weekends or weeks at Moon Beach Camp:
          --Spring Weekend Clean-up
          --Makeover week -- June 8-14, 2008
          --Adopt-A-Cabin Week -- August 17-23, 2008
          --Fall -- Prepare for Winter Weekend.

Participate in a camp offering:  A week long camp or weekend retreat, a work week or weekend

Volunteer:  To be a "camp director" for a week

Financial support:  Donate items on their wish list, offer scholarship support for members attending camp

Pray:  For the outdoor ministry of our Conference

United Church Camps, Inc. website
                

Disaster Response Ministry

The United Church of Christ Disaster Response Ministry is carried out at four levels -- national response, conference response, association/local response, and individual church response/readiness.

Each of the four associations in our conference have a designated Disaster Response Manager that is available to coordinate response within their association, as well as guide churches in developing disaster readiness plans.

For the most part, the UCC Disaster Response Ministry is not a "First Responder" assistance -- rather a long term presence in the recovery stage.

Opportunities for Service:

Disaster Readiness Plan:  Participate with a small team of members in developing a disaster readiness plan for our church.

Keep informed:  Check the UCC disaster news sites, as well as other web sites to keep up to date on disaster news, needs and justice issues surrounding disaster; write articles for The Open Door regarding disaster updates and church/personal readiness.

LEAVEN

Mission:  To promote awareness of LEAVEN and its services; to encourage participation as a LEAVEN volunteer.

LEAVEN (Limited Emergency Assistance Valley Ecumenical Network) is a local mission that works through volunteers to assist people in a crisis who have nowhere else to turn.  Founded in 1987 by local community, religious, and business leaders, LEAVEN helps low-income and poor people by providing assistance with the necessities of life:  housing, utilities, transportation, medication, food and clothing.

LEAVEN sees people of all ages for a variety of requests.  The primary need for most is housing, with nearly 3/4 of all its assistance dollars spent on housing.  Many people simple do not have friends or family that they can turn to when an emergency happens.  Tragedies, medical/health crisis, and other economic setbacks can be a cruel blow to people who are just making ends meet.

In 2007, 11 First Congregational volunteers spent 2000+ hours helping LEAVEN turn hardship into hope for 6,182 households.  We hope to increase the number of First Congregational volunteers, promote financial support of LEAVEN programs, encourage prayer and discussion, as well as offer educational opportunities regarding poverty in the Fox Valley.

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT:  Susan Livengood......727-9794

LEAVEN Web site

Opportunities for Service:

Receptionist:  Meet and greet clients, set appointments

Interviewer:  Intake workers interview clients and complete an application during the process;   advocates for the client to caseworker

Caseworker:  Investigates requests, verifies information, makes referrals to other community resources, and makes direct assistance decisions.

Records Clerk:  Maintains client records

Administrative Support:  Filing, bulk mailings, word processing, data management

Interpreters:  Hmong speaking and Spanish speaking

Special Events Volunteers:  Assist in organizing and implementing fundraising events and volunteer appreciation events

Building and Grounds Maintenance:  Assists in general upkeep and maintenance of property.

Mexico Mission Partnership

Mission:  To build homes, but more importantly, to build community!

This international mission partnership allows our church members to experience how much of the rest of God's world lives.  We spend a week building very basic, brick homes near mountainous Creel, Mexico.  Trips are taken every other year, usually in April.  Our next trip will be after Easter (April 4) 2010.

The trip supports our church missional strategy, serving others by working alongside the future homeowners, building Christian community, and making home ownership a possibility.  Trip participants report, "going to help others, but coming home far richer than when we left."

PARTNERSHIP CONTACTS:  Dan and Mary Haller......730-0586

Opportunities for Service:

Participate in a trip:  Participate in, lead or help organize a trip

Spanish:  Teach participants Spanish, interpret correspondence, be an "interpreter participant" on a trip

Donate:  Help provide materials for homes being built, tools and tires for the Raramuri affiliate, scholarship $ for participants

Pray:  Be a prayer partner with a participant, pray for the partnership and all involved

 

Our Church's Wider Mission -- OCWM

It is "Who We Are" and what we do together in all settings of our United Church of Christ.

Mission:  To keep the church strong, to extend the ministry of local churches, and be a resource in developing our own local ministries.

First Congregational is covenanted in relationship with the 5800+ churches of the UCC through our associations, conferences, national setting and global missions.  Together our voices can be heard.  Together we support Moon Beach and Pilgrim Center, lay academy, placements of pastors, seminaries, 190 missionaries and ministries with partner churches in 85 countries, respond to disasters, and speak out for justice and peace.  Together we share Jesus' message of love and acceptance as we welcome all.

Opportunities for Service:

Local:  Be a greeter, welcomer, messenger, usher, coffee server; serve on the "Still Speaking" team

Association:  Be a delegate to our association annual meeting, serve on wider church committees

Conference:  Participate in:  family camp at Moon Beach or youth camp at Pilgrim Center, Lay Academy, Disaster Response Ministry, be a delegate at our conference annual meeting, serve on conference committees

Synod:  Participate in a national women's or youth event; be a delegate for General Synod, link up to one of the e-mail networks of our national UCC (e.g. Justice and Peace), support global mission work as a member of FOCUS, be a short or long term volunteer -- nationally or globally, volunteer at UCC disaster work sites.

Visit our association, conference and national UCC websites for up-to-date information/resources/events.
                    www.neauc.org
                    www.wcucc.org
                    www.ucc.org

Plant-a-Row for the Hungry

Mission:  To provide fresh garden produce to serve the needs of the poor and homeless.

The congregation has garden plots in three locations, as well as individual members who plant extra produce in their own gardens.  Produce is harvested and delivered to St. Joseph and Salvation Army food pantries, the Emergency Shelter, and the Loaves and Fishes program.  In 2006 an estimated 5,500 pounds of produce was donated.

There is a distinctly spiritual aspect to the whole process that involves sharing God's creation and responding to Christ's exhortation to feed "the least of these, my brethren."

A produce table in the narthex of church also allows church members to donate towards the project and partake in the abundance of some vegetables, pumpkins and gourds.

PARTNERSHIP CONTACTS:
              Reverend Maynard Beemer......738-9566
              Dr. Jack Harris........................734-5995

Opportunities for Service:

Till, plant, weed, water and harvest produce:  Help is needed from spring through fall.

Contribute:  Produce from your own garden; start seedlings at home to contribute to the gardens

Deliver produce:  To the shelter and pantry

In the past a neighborhood group of members, as well as the youth group, have helped with "one time" days/evenings of tending the gardens.  Individual, as well as group, help is welcomed!

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Mission:  To engage members in prayer; use gifts of knitting/crocheting as a means of embracing others and reaching out to the wider community with care, love and God's presence; connect members with each other.

The prayer shawl ministry began here at First Congregational in September 2005 and as of June 2007 over 200 shawls had been created and shared with others.  Knitters and crocheters meet on the second Monday evening and the second Thursday afternoon to knit, crochet, pray, share stories, laugh and support one another on life's journey.

Blessings and prayers are knit into each shawl as it is created and again by those gathered monthly.  They are knit in a pattern of threes -- symbolizing the trinity and wholeness, as well as many phases of life.

PARTNERSHIP CONTACT:  Helen McKean......731-8593

Opportunities for Service:

Join in knitting/crocheting the shawls on the second Monday from  7:00 to 8:30 p.m. or the second Thursday from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. of each month.

Suggest someone that you would like a prayer shawl to be given to.

Donate funds to help purchase yarn and gift bags.

Pray for those receiving the shawls, as well as all those listed on the weekly prayer list.
 

Youth Missions

Mission:  Engage youth in hands on mission activities, education, and awareness of justice issues, as well as integrating global relationship of all peoples of God's world.

Mission is an integral part of our Church School program.  The children take part in various activities that include One Great Hour of Sharing (calendar and offering), Alternative Gift Market booths, and toys/gifts for others at Christmas.

Youth have offered concerts for charity, built sheds for Habitat for Humanity homeowners, as well as participated in "shanty town/cardboard box" sleepovers for homelessness awareness.

Mission trips for both the junior and senior high youth have also been an integral part of the youth programming at First Congregational.

Opportunities for Service:

Volunteers:  To work with the youth in all aspects of mission programming

Chaperones:  For mission trips and other events
 

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