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Home About Us Youth Worship Contact Us Education Fellowship Links History Outreach Virtual Visit Calendar |
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Outreach: Our mission is that we want to help others so they can help themselves through our church members personal time and their money along with the church assets. Our church is one of the top 100 UCC churches in giving to help others but we enjoy personal involvement too! The Board of Outreach is responsible for coordinating the financial support to outside groups. Yearly Church Member Giving for First Congregation Church Tools of Hope and Blanket Program (February): We collect money to help provide the right “tools” to meet immediate and long-term needs of people in crisis: from blankets, tents, and emergency supplies in the wake of disaster to material assistance, education and training, and small-enterprise loans as part of sustainable development programs. One Great Hour of Sharing (March): The offering supports programs internationally for sustainable development, emergency relief, social services, and refugee advocacy and resettlement. Neighbors in Need (October): This giving supports ministries that address hunger, poverty, economic development, human rights, peace-making, violence, racial and economic justice, environmental concerns and public policy advocacy. Christmas Fund (December): This money helps people who have served the church and need financial assistance. Board of Outreach Annual Budgeted Giving Habitat for Humanity, W.R. WIC (Women, Infant & Children), W.R. The Family Center, W.R. Wis. Rapids Family Resource Center Smiles Against Cancer, W.R. Career Closet, W.R. Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, Mississippi SERRV(Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocation), Madison The Community Outreach Fund was started in 2002. The purpose of First Congregational Church UCC Community Outreach Fund is to direct money to address special needs in our community through the Community Foundation of South Wood County (CFSWC). We gave them $35,000 in 2003 to help the following local organizations and we are increasing this to $50,000 in 2004: Families Helping Families of South Wood County (School directed assistance) Healthy Smiles in Wood County (teeth sealing for kids) Wood County Emergency Program (special needs to help stay employed) Opportunity Development Center, W.R. The Family Center, W.R. Wis Rapids Family Resource Center & the Infant Program Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Wisconsin Rapids Community Food Pantry: The Board of Outreach works with the Food Pantry to coordinate giving from our church, monthly special needs and attend their meetings. We donated a room in our church for this needed program. Back Bay Mission: Our church has a close relationship with this UCC Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. Our members gave money for their regular fund and Capital Campaign which were matched by the church, bought 240 pounds of shrimp during their Shrimp Fundraiser and gave 30 kids gifts during our Christmas Angel Tree Program which was delivered by one of our members. We usually take a yearly trip to Biloxi so we can help renovate homes of the poor so they don’t lose them. 
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