The Mission & Outreach Committee’s purpose is to create a culture of service in the congregation that instills permanence, importance and traditions in the life of the church, outside of the church.
Our committee is establishing an annual Calendar of opportunities/traditions that you will know about in February of each year. Our objective is to strengthen the importance of traditions of service for members to participate in and to focus our efforts on our Mission Partners below.
Give online now to help us with our financial support of our Mission Partners. See the Calendar for upcoming events and Current Mission Events to see pictures and descriptions from events past and future.
We would like to hear from you on what kind of opportunities you are interested in and we’ll help to plug you in. Members of the Mission & Outreach Committee that you can contact are Jim Goodwin (Chair), Melissa Wurst, Rita Ferretti, Joyce Piepert and Ann Kittlaus.
Ways to Get Involved to do God’s Work…
Habitat for Humanity
Pride Fest
Youth Mission Trip
Back to School Essentials
Beyond Housing Work Day
Involvement with Women’s Homeless Shelter
Thanksgiving Food Pantry Event
The Giving Tree
Our church is one of many churches in the area that take part in the summer builds by this well-run organization. In particular, FIRST CHURCH has had a long standing relationship with Habitat. Participants must be over 17. You can work every Saturday or just pick one. (June – Sept.)
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Pride Fest
Join us in the booth or marching with other members of the congregation in the parade alongside other UCC Open and Affirming churches in the St Louis area. It takes place on a Sunday. Kids welcome! (June)
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Youth Mission Trip
The youth of the church work all year to raise money for a week long mission in the summer. Past trips have included an Indian Reservation in South Dakota, a trip to a border town in Mexico, and on a farm in Maryland. Last year our group traveled to Jamaica and this year we have a trip to Biloxi, Mississippi planned.
Life lessons and new friendships are made on this working mission trip. The church loves hearing about their experiences with a presentation in August. (June)
Fundraisers for the Youth Mission trip each year include:
Pancake Breakfast
Sponsored by the youth group to raise money for their summer mission trip. This event features fabulous pancakes and bacon served up hot by the kids. A great fellowship opportunity! (Early Spring)
Dog and Car Wash
Sponsored by the youth group and occurring directly after service to raise money for the mission trip. Always a good time for all, except maybe the dogs. (June)
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Back to School Essentials
Each July, we collect new underwear and socks for kids to have for their back to school event sponsored by Joint Neighborhood Ministries. Think what a treat it is for these kids to start the school year off with new articles of clothing. A box is in the Tower Room during the month for the collection. (July)
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Beyond Housing Work Day
A well-organized one day volunteer event with the local agency, Beyond Housing. They assign a group to one of their homes for their clients and a team goes in and does maintenance and upkeep. All ages welcome (Spring)
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Involvement with the Women’s Homeless Shelter
Twice a year, we gather a group to cook together at church in one of our 2 kitchens. This is a great Fellowship opportunity to gather, laugh and cook the dinners that will served at Grace Peace Women’s Shelter. Another group of volunteers gathers to go to the Shelter on predetermined dates and serve the meals and eat with the women of Grace Peace. This is a great opportunity again for parents and their kids and for all ages.
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Thanksgiving Food Pantry Event
All ages invited on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to go to Isaiah 58 Food Pantry and pack up Thanksgiving food bags to be distributed to families in need. Last year, 14 of us packed up 150 bags in only 1 ½ hours. Kids as young as 3 encouraged to experience this heartfelt event. Great volunteer opportunity and tradition for families. (Nov.)
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The Giving Tree
FIRST CHURCH sponsors Christmas gifts for families or children in need as identified by one of our member agencies, Beyond Housing. We have a tree in the Tower Room with ornaments naming items to be purchased. These are dropped off and delivered to the agency in time for Christmas. (Dec.)Back to top
Give the Gift of Search! If you shop online (Expedia, Ebay, Amazon, etc) Goodshop will donate a portion of your purchase to your selected charity. First Church is there! Help support us
