For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you clothed me,
I was sick and you visited me,
I was in prison and you came to me.
Matthew 25: 35-36
Our Purpose:
To act on behalf of First Congregational UCC congregation to fulfill the words in the scriptures. This is achieved through the selection and distribution of Congregational pledged monies by the Board of Missions and Outreach, through All Church and Special Offerings, and church sponsored fund raising project(s). The financial support goes to those organizations (local, national and international) dedicated to helping those in need, both physically and spiritually. In addition, the Board provides opportunities for our Congregational members to participate in volunteer work, both inside our Church, within our Rochester Community, and beyond our local community as part of their personal mission and outreach activity. The Board encourages participation of the Board Members as well as the Congregation in making the giving of time and talents as important in missions and outreach as the financial support. The function of the Board of Missions and Outreach is to plan and direct the missionary and outreach program of the church. This includes cooperation with and support of the United Church of Christ and other organizations, such as Church World Service, in their national and worldwide efforts to bring the message of Christ to others and to aid them in overcoming the scourges of starvation, poverty, disease and homelessness.
June 2008 - May 2009 Missions Board Members:
Name Term expiration Joe Charles 05/09 Chair Erica Harper 05/09 Secretary Dee Jackson 05/09 Treasurer Ted Avgerinos 05/11 Harriet Breckenridge 05/09 Lynn Charles 05/09 Don Eaton 05/11 Janis Harper 05/09 Beth Maybee 05/10 Gary Maybee 05/10
Income:
The Missions board receives a budget at the beginning of the year as agreed upon and voted by the congregation. The budget submission represents about 8%-9% of the total church budget and that amount is supplemented by the special collections and projects such as the 40 days activities so that the final amount is in the 10% - 12% range.
Charities served by our church:
Charities are served via the Missions board in three ways: through special collections, by community action such as the 40 days and through direct monetary donation to the charity as designated by the Missions committee. Special collections: In the case of special collections, the money collected in church is sent directly to the organization. Planned special collections have been reduced to three throughout the year. They are: Neighbors in Need: (Suspended for 2008)* The Christmas Fund: (formerly VOC) is a special collection at Christmas time to benefit retired clergy. One Great Hour of Sharing: is a special collection in the spring, which offers an additional means of sharing our financial gifts with those less fortunate than ourselves. *As noted above, the collection for Neighbors in Need was suspended this year after discussion by the Mission board. It was felt that the charity and its purpose were not adequately explained to the congregation prior to the Sunday designated for the collection. At the core of the discussion was the statement on the NIN website that it is a justice advocacy charity and does not fund charitable projects. It was determined by the board that this needs to be fully explained to the congregation prior to asking for donations. Community Action: Consists of activities that the church undertakes including: Event Date 2008/2009 Coordinator Community dinners 11/30/08 Deirdre Eaton 3/29/09 5/31/09 8/30/09 Neighbors in Need (SC) 9/30&10/7/08 Suspended for 2008 Christmas Fund (SC) 12/24 Erica Harper Christmas baskets 12/20 Harriet Breckenridge, Janis Harper, Don Eaton Hillside Christmas tree 11/30 - 12/13 Gary & Beth Maybee One Great Hour of Sharing (SC) 3/09 Dee Jackson Boy Scout Sunday 2/3/2008 Gary Maybee Missions website Monthly Joe Charles Missions Inbox review Monthly Gary Maybee Backpacks for GRCC September '09 TBD Joy Church liaison Monthly Harriet Breckenridge Bethany House Layettes As requested Lynn & Joe Charles Salem Soup Kitchen Monthly Harriet Breckenridge
Direct Monetary Donations:
The Missions board receives requests for funding from many sources and as each one is discussed by the board, a determination is made on the worthiness and amount to be donated. A fact sheet is filled out on each charity, giving the contact information, sources of income, mission statement, sponsor, etc. The intent of these fact sheets is to make them available to anyone in the church that wishes to see where the money goes. We are currently trying to make them available either on this website or as a link. In the meantime, any of the sheets may be obtained by contacting Joe Charles. The charities funded in 2008 are: Perinton Food Shelf Lancaster Theological Seminary Advent House Hillside Children's Center Safe Journey Good Neighbor Fund Pastor's Discretionary Fund SOFI (Senior Options for Independence) Fairport Baptist Home St. John's Home Perinton Council Churches Habitat for Humanity Salem nutritional Center Dimitri House Cameron Community Ministries Community Dinners OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission) Lewis Street YMCA Boy Scout Troop 207 RTST Foundation Joining Hearts and Hands (Dr. Cala) Bethany House St. Joseph's House of Hospitality Cafe Conciencia Darfur Coalition Church World Service (Midwest flood relief) Open Door Mission East House Camp HACAMO Rochester Youth for Christ
April 2009 Missions meeting minutes Minutes_041609.doc
