The Church of the Open Door
Our Mission Partners and Relationships
| Name | Description | Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, Mississippi | Mission:  To support our UCC-affiliated mission on the Mississippi Gulf Coast 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.
[Read more] Web: http://www.thebackbaymission.org/ | Al ("Benji") Benzschawel: [Send Email] |
| 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.
[Read more] Web: http://www.emergencyshelterfoxvalley.org/ | Cindi MacSwain: [Send Email] |
| ESTHER | Mission:  ESTHER's purpose is to draw members of First Congregational together with people from other faith groups in the Fox Valley to build community and work on issues of justice for the common good of all.
[Read more] Web: esther-foxvalley.org | Joan Jensen: [Send Email] |
| Habitat for Humanity | Mission:  To give our church members the opportunity to put God's love into action by helping make affordable home ownership more available to families in the Fox Cities.
[Read more] Web: http://www.foxcitieshabitat.org/ | Deb Burich: [Send Email] |
| Kenya Partnership | Mission:  To engage in mutual global partnership with members of the African Inland Churches in the Kerio Valley, Kenya, through visits and financial support.
[Read more] | Wanda Van De Hey: [Send Email] |
| 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 crisis who have nowhere else to turn.
[Read more] Web: http://www.focol.org/Leaven/ | Linda Pierron: [Send Email] |
| 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.
[Read more] Web: http://www.samaritan-counseling.com/ | Faye Howell: 989-2646 |
| Alternative Christmas Market | Mission:  Gifts Inspiring Change
The Alternative Christmas Market takes place in November and has been an annual event since 1995. Gifts can be given either to help projects affiliated with Alternative Gifts International, Church World Service, or Global Ministries, or to support our church's local mission partners and other agencies with which we have a 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.
[Read more] | Deb Burich: [Send Email] Karen Leigh-Post: [Send Email] |
| Disaster Response Ministry | Mission: 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. For the most part, the UCC Disaster Response Ministry is not a "First Responder" assistance -- rather a long term presence in the recovery stage. [Read more] | Deb Burich: [Send Email] |
| Feed My Starving Children | Mission: We will join other area churches in sponsoring a Mobile Pack, scheduled for July 16-18, 2012. During those three days, 1,000 volunteers will pack 200,000 meals! Each meal contains rice, soy protein, dehydrated vegetables and 20 vitamins and minerals with a vegetarian chicken flavoring and costs approximately 24 cents. Meals are distributed to 70 countries through mission partners and make a profound difference for malnourished children. [Read more] | Hedy Lukas: [Send Email] |
| Our Church's Wider Mission -- OCWM | Mission:  It is “Who We Are” and what we do together in all settings of our United Church of Christ to keep the church strong, to extend the ministry of all local churches, and be a resource in developing our own ministries.
[Read more] Web: http://ucc.org/ocwm | |
| Plant-a-Row for the Hungry | Mission:  To provide fresh garden produce to serve the needs of the poor and homeless. Produce is harvested and delivered to St. Joseph and Salvation Army food pantries, the Emergency Shelter, and the Loaves and Fishes program.
[Read more] | Jack Harris: [Send Email] Rev. Maynard E. Beemer: [Send Email] |
| 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.
[Read more] | Helen McKean: [Send Email] |
| Prison Ministry | Mission: A Prison Ministry began in the fall of 2008. We participate in a Restorative Justice Program in the fall at Redgranite Correctional Facility and in spring at Oshkosh . Other projects within this ministry are also possible and will be considered as we journey together serving in new ways. [Read more] | Sara Companik: [Send Email] Stephen Otto: [Send Email] |
| Project NOAHH | Mission:  Project NOAHH (Neighbors Offering A Helping Hand) connects Outagamie County social workers referrals for special needs of clients with members of churches that may have that needed item available to donate or might be willing to offer financial resources to meet that need. The need for beds is ongoing.
[Read more] | Doug Nelson: [Send Email] Pat Nelson: [Send Email] |
| Rebuilding Together Fox Valley | Mission:  Rebuilding Together Fox Valley is a volunteer based organization that forms partnerships to rebuild and repair the homes of those in need. They serve low income homeowners, specifically seniors and those with disabilities, enabling them to live in warmth, safety and independence. First Congregatioanal is providing volunteers and financial support for a house in the spring project day, May 5, 2012. [Read more] | Jennifer Radtke: [Send Email] |
| Warming Shelter | Mission: The Fox Valley Warming Shelter provides overnight temporary shelter to homeless adult men and women. [Read more] Web: http://www.foxvalleywarmingshelter.org/ | Leigh Grube: [Send Email] Mary Sullivan: [Send Email] |
| Wisconsin Conference Church Camps | 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 through two beautiful camps: Moon Beach Camp located on Moon Lake at St.Germain, Wisconsin, and Pilgrim Center located on Green Lake near Ripon, Wisconsin.
[Read more] | Deb Burich: [Send Email] |
| 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.
[Read more] | Rev. Nicholas Hatch: [Send Email] |