Board of Missions Donations
Community Outreach Support
The First Congregational Church supports a number of organizations serving the local community. Our Church becomes deeply involved with these missions supporting them not only financially but with a variety of aid. The Board of Missions role is to help develop and coordinate the relationship, help fund the programs and to educate the congregation on the important work these organizations' accomplish. The following summarizes our First Congregational Local Mission Partners:
| Mission Area | ||
| AmeriCares: | ||
| Americare HomeFront is dedicated to bringing hands-on help and hope to low income families, elderly people, and handicapped individuals through a one-day home repair blitz. Your donations support these home repair blitz that focus on families and individuals in the Danbury and Ridgefield area. | Donate | |
| Amos House: | ||
| Amos house is a locally organized transitional living program for homeless in the Danbury area. Your donation to Amos House will be used to support these area homeless families as they seek to improve their lives by transitioning to permanent housing. | Donate | |
| Angel Tree: | ||
| The forgotten victims of crime are often the little children of inmates. Your donation to Angel Tree, a Ministry of Prison Fellowship will be used to support its program of providing Christmas gifts to the young children of a parent who is in prison. | Donate | |
| Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen: | ||
| For many, a nutritional and hot meal is a luxury. Your donation to the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen will be used to provide nutritious meals to needy individuals in the greater Danbury area. | Donate | |
| Food Pantry: | ||
| (celebrated as Harvest Sunday).The First Congregational Church maintains one of the few Food Pantries in the area. Individuals and families who have a need can obtain foods and household supplies for our Food Pantry. Your donations help our Church maintain and stock our Food Pantry so that those who have a need can receive food and vital supplies. | Donate | |
| H.O.M.E.: | ||
| There are many ways to contribute to H.O.M.E. (Homeworkers Organized for More Employment), an Orland, Maine based program that provides employment and income for people who have no possibility of finding work, as well as building homes through the combined efforts of volunteers and the community. | Donate | |
| Housatonic Habitat for Humanity: | ||
| Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry that builds and renovates decent affordable housing. Your donation to the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate will be used to support the renovation and construction of simple, comfortable homes in the greater Danbury area by volunteers and future homeowners. | Donate | |
| Midnight Run: | ||
| Your donation to Midnight Run will help support the delivery of clothing, food, blankets and personal care items to the homeless in Manhattan. | Donate | |
| Pivot House: | ||
| Your donation to Pivot House will support the Christ-centered treatment programs in Norwalk and Bridgeport for young men suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. | Donate | |
| Women's Center/Elizabeth House: | ||
| Your donation to the Women's Center and Elizabeth House will be used to help fund programs that provide a safe haven and support for women, men and children who have been victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or other major trauma. In addition, donations are used to support Elizabeth House programs that provide shelter for pregnant women who are homeless and have small children. | Donate | |
Local Mission Funds
The First Congregational Church maintains two general purpose Mission Funds. These Funds are used to support a variety of one-time and ongoing Mission needs.
| Mission Area | ||
| Local Mission: | ||
| Needs often arise throughout our local Ridgefield and Danbury area and needs that are beyond the financial capabilities of the families or individuals involved. A house that burns, a family health crisis, and a lost job are some examples of these unplanned needs. Your contributions to the Local Mission Fund are managed by the Board of Missions and are used to support these needs in the local Ridgefield and Danbury area. | Donate | |
| Mission Endowment: | ||
| The Mission Endowment Fund is managed by the Board of Missions and the funds are used to support the broad objectives of the FCC and the Board of Missions. Special one-time needs, needs that are beyond the scope of the Local Mission Fund, national and international disasters, and special FCC and UCC mission projects are often supported through The Mission Endowment Fund. Your contributions to The Mission Endowment Fund are added to the Fund and are used as needs arise. | Donate | |
United Church of Christ Programs
Several mission activities are directed by the United Church of Christ. UCC Churches participate by making yearly appeals, usually on a designated Sunday during the year. Contributions are then used by the UCC to support disaster relief and other special needs. The following summarizes the United Church of Christ special appeals in which The First Congregational Church participates.
| Mission Area | ||
| Blanket Special Appeal | ||
| For a child shivering in the cold, a warm blanket can mean the difference between life or serious illness or even death. Your contributions to the Blanket Appeal help support the Church World Services effort to provide blankets to the scene of disasters, wherever they might occur. | Donate | |
| Heifer Project: | ||
| Heifer animals offer hungry families around the world a way to feed themselves and to become self-reliant. Your donations help purchase Heifer animals which can make a difference for a child, for a family, and eventually for a village. | Donate | |
| Neighbors In Need: | ||
| Neighbors In Need supports ministries that address poverty, economic development, human rights, peacemaking, racial and economic justice, and environmental concerns. Neighbors in Need also provides salaries for Native American pastors and support for Native American churches through the UCC's Council for American Indian Ministries. Your contributions, along with the contributions from other UCC churches directly support these ongoing ministries. | Donate | |
| One Great Hour Of Sharing: | ||
| Gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are used by the UCC to support international and domestic disaster relief. Contributions help people make vital basic improvements in their lives and living conditions. Your contributions directly support the on-going efforts of disaster relief. | Donate | |
| Veterans Of The Cross: | ||
| Ministers devote their lives to serving God and their Churches. Often they give up the financial rewards that most of us receive in our normal business lives in order to serve their Congregations. But, when these ministers "retire" from the active ministry, they find themselves with little financial resources on which to live. Your contributions to this UCC mission activity directly support these ministers and provide pensions to ministers who find themselves in need. | Donate | |