Our Church's Wider Mission

As part of the United Church of Christ (UCC), we support the mission work of the denomination through Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), and through two special offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), and Neighbors in Need (NIN). OCWM giving supports the work of the United Church of Christ national office and of the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ.

One Great Hour of Sharing

Through One Great Hour of Sharing, United Church of Christ members reach out in the name of Christ to:

• Build sustainable communities.
• Respond to disaster.
• Minister to refugees.

Community Meals

On the second Monday of each month we prepare and serve a meal at the Kimball Avenue United Methodist Church. The meal is offered free of charge to anyone from the community who wishes to attend. We serve 150-200 meals on a typical Monday evening. To volunteer to help with the meal, contact: Church Office (234-8927).

Community Meals movie
(.mov file - 7.7 MB)

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Grin & Grow

We host Grin & Grow Day Care in our church building. Child care is provided five days a week from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. for infants through age five. To inquire about registering a child, contact: Melissa (236-2063).

CROP WALK

We participate each fall in the CROP WALK sponsored by Church World Service to raise money for hunger relief.

In 2007, we raised $1,933.

Meals-on-Wheels

Twice a month volunteer drivers from the church deliver hot meals to clients identified by the Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging. Meals-on-Wheels is a most important service for the elderly of our community. To volunteer to drive or ride along, contact Shirley (296-2971).

Meals on Wheels movie
(.mov file - 10.2 MB)

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Partners-in-Education

We have been a Partner-in-Education (PIE) with Bunger Middle School for nine years. We sponsor Family Reading Nights, work with groups of students in support of the Character Counts program, display student art, correspond with middle school Journal Buddies, help with school fundraisers, and other related projects. To help with PIE activities, contact: Greg (234-8927; greg@firstcongucc.org).

Partners-in-Education (PIE) movie
(.mov file - 9.4 MB)

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Neighborhood Association

Representatives from our church participate in meetings of the Church Row Historical Neighborhood Association. The Association promotes neighborhood clean-up days, publishes a neighborhood newsletter, and seeks ways to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood. To find out more, contact: Ed (235-1074) or Don (233-6865).

Deacons' Fund

Twice a year, at Christmas and at Easter, we receive a special offering for the Deacons' Fund. These funds are used for local mission: emergency assistance, supplies for our Parson's Pantry, and donations to local service agencies. Money from the Deacons' Fund is also donated to CUE (Chicago/Eden/United) to provide assistance to UCC seminary students.

Quilters

Each Monday morning, a group of dedicated folk gather at the church to work on quilts. They will make dozens and dozens of quilts -- beautiful quilts, colorful quilts, large quilts, small quilts. Once a year, the quilts are put on display in the church lobby and offered for sale. The quilts that are left are then donated to the Women's Shelter, added to our Adopt-a-Family gifts, and put to good use! Want to help? Contact Gloria (235-9615).

Quilters movie
(.mov file - 8.3 MB)

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Mr. and Mrs. James H. Goodrich Endowment Fund

This fund, established through a generous bequest from Lucy Whitney Proctor, is used to provide assistance to elderly members of our own congregation. Requests for assistance may be directed to Rev. Timothy Ensworth.

Parson's Pantry

Support Groups
hosted by First Congregational UCC

Alanon: Tuesdays, 10:00 am

Alateen: Thursdays, 7:30 pm

AMI (Alliance for the Mentally Ill): 1st Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm