Outreach

Outreach is at the heart of what it means to be a people of faith. We gather for worship to be renewed and challenged for our work in the world. Some of that work is accomplished through financial contributions.

Angels of Hope, Uganda
Free medical clinics for orphaned children in Uganda. The mission at Angels of Hope, Inc. is to provide the best possible medical, psychological, and social care to as many of the millions of orphans in Uganda as is possible. Our clinics are staffed by nurses with excellent skills and experience who work, not just to care for the immediate needs of the patient, but to understand their psychological needs, keep watch for signs of physical abuse/ and or long term illnesses and to keep accurate files on each patient.

Alternative Holiday Fair
This town-wide event on the first Saturday in December offers opportunities to choose holiday gifts which make a difference in our community and around the globe, held in conjunction with a “Living Creche” and the downtown tree lighting. Handcrafts from developing areas around the globe return the profits to create new resources for community development. Books, CD’s and calendars support the mission of First Congregational Church. Also available are opportunities to learn about and support a variety of projects that respond to local needs.

Child Sponsorship Program
The church school is participating in a special stewardship program through Global Ministries, one of the mission organizations of our denomination, the United Church of Christ. This program established in 1950 brings direct assistance to nearly 700 poor children in 17 different overseas areas ranging from the Middle East to Sri Lanka. The children's weekly offering is donated to this program. Our sponsored child is an elementary-age boy living in Rawdat El Zuhur, Jerusalem, Israel.

Heifer Project International
For 5 decades, Heifer Project International has helped people around the world become more self-reliant through the gift of animals and training in their care. Support from churches and individuals have made it possible for HPI to provide food and income producing animals to more than a million families in need. Our church school children are regular supporters of Heifer Project.

Interfaith Hospitality Network
Enables religious groups to unite hands and hearts to provide shelter, meals, and compassionate assistance for homeless families by using both local facilities and volunteer efforts. For more information about the Natick group of this national organization contact Jeanette Szretter, jeanettesz@comcast.net and familypromise.org.

Extreme Makeover: Natick Style
Saturday, April 29, 2006 ~ Help us help a Natick family
Here’s your chance to be a part of making a big difference for a Natick family by sharing a Saturday, your enthusiasm and some good old fashioned “elbow-grease” as we attempt to complete the work begun a year ago for the Barr family. The Mission and Outreach Committee was excited to get this project underway last spring and it great news to have another chance to tackle the remaining work in April.
Once again, we will partner with Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS), an outreach arm for our collaborative work through the MACUCC. Gail Martin has agreed to serve as our site manager and will be looking for all kinds of volunteers. The project can use some volunteers with particular skills in home repair, but just as valuable are those who are willing to jump in and do what they can.
Please sign-up on the bulletin board in the vestry or contact the church office if you have questions or need more information. ...And please let us know if you might be in a position to offer supplies or building materials.

Natick Service Council
This marks the 8th year in a row that our congregation has been a Benefactor of the Natick Service Council, the organization that coordinates the Natick Food Panty, the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Open Door, the Holiday Family Adoption, Fuel Assistance program and much more.

In April 2005, members of our congregation were able to participate in a rehab project in Natick for a woman who cares for multiple needs children and needed rehab assistance with her property. This project was initiated by the Worcester Area Mission Society. Members of the Mission/Outreach committee coordinated the purchase of materials and the many volunteers who helped remove wallpaper, put up doors, fix fences, paint and do many other repairs that were needed.

West Virginia Workcamp
Every June about 40 adults and young adults from FCC and other area churches travel down to Lincoln-Cabell County, West Virginia to make homes "warm, safe and dry" through the work of the West Virginia Work Camp. The project involves year long fundraising to underwrite the expenses of the work-campers and offset the cost of equipment and supplies. The community that is shared opens up eyes and lives to God's transforming power.


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