Missions
The goal of the Board of Missions is to participate in various projects and events to reach individuals in need by informing and involving the congregation of this church. We strive to reach those in our community, across the country, and throughout the world.
Throughout the year, the Board supported the following organizations:
Saint Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul tackles challenging issues faced by many who are in need of assistance. Located in Middletown, they feed the hungry, support the homeless, provide groceries to the elderly, disabled or those unable to provide for their families without support, act as a post office address for the homeless, assist with clothing, and help with applications for federal or state support. When a need arises, St. Vincent de Paul does their best to meet the specific need, whatever it might entail. The Missions Board has been involved with this organization for many years, recruiting volunteers from the church, in signing up to serve and provide nutritious breakfasts and healthy, warm dinners.
Giving Tree
Even though we could not be in church to take a tag from the Giving Tree the Missions Board knew that this was something we had to continue. The 2020 Giving Tree was virtual and the congregation stepped up and provided 22 children with gifts on Christmas. The program is run through the Portland Food Bank.
Portland Fuel Bank (Christmas Eve Fund)
For the past few years the Church has donated the Christmas Eve offering to the Portland Fuel Bank. The “Portland Cares” Fuel Assistance Program is generated by donations only and provides a delivery of home heating oil to residents in need.
Special offerings to support UCC Missions:
One Great Hour of Sharing
Neighbors in Need
Christmas Fund
Due to the generosity of our congregation the Missions Board was able to make donations to the following organizations in 2021:
Adelbrook Behavioral and Development Services
Back Bay Mission
Mercy Housing and Shelter
Middlesex Habitat for Humanity (Portland Build)
Silver Lake Conference Center
The Connection Fund
Guiding Light Orphans, Inc.
A New Beginning Recovery House
CT Special Olympics
Hope After Loss
St. Vincent DePaul (Warming Center Breakfasts)
Family Promise of Central Connecticut
IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services)
Building Homes for Heros
Hawkwing, Inc.
True Colors
New Horizons
The Jonah Center
The Board of Missions and World Service identifies organizations and mission projects for the church to support through donations from the congregation. One of the organizations our church financially supports is A New Beginning Recovery. We are pleased to know that the donation from The First Congregational Church of Portland made a difference in this person’s life. In the past year, we have challenged ourselves to find ways “to be the church when we can’t go to church”, and financial support for community organizations is one way we have found to continue God’s work, even when we it wasn’t possible to gather in person for worship and mission projects. |
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