"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31)
We feel that Outreach is one of the most important things that First Christian Church does. Our Outreach Ministry focuses on helping people right here in our community. The Outreach Committee coordinates the church's efforts for the following projects:
We feel that Outreach is one of the most important things that First Christian Church does. Our Outreach Ministry focuses on helping people right here in our community. The Outreach Committee coordinates the church's efforts for the following projects:
- Community Christmas Food and Gift Baskets - FCC annually provides Christmas food and gift baskets for ten families in Rowan County each Christmas Season. The baskets include food as well as new coats, shoes, and gifts for the children of the family. Additionally, food baskets are provided for ten elderly households.
- Community Thanksgiving Baskets - Food baskets are provided to ten families at the Gateway Homeless Shelter each Thanksgiving. Our Youth Group does the shopping, puts the baskets together, and delivers the baskets.
- Gateway Homecoming Baskets - These baskets are for those transitioning to a permanent home from the Gateway Homeless Shelter and the basket items are due always at on the first Sunday of the month (February-October). The baskets include household start-up items such as towels, bed lines, microwave oven, cookware, cleaning supplies, etc.
- Breakfast Cereal / Christian Social Services- Cereal donations (about 30 boxes per month) made by the yoga class are delivered to the Christian Social Services Food Bank. A box of cereal is also the price of admission to yoga. The church also provides annual financial assistance to Christian Social Services.
- Medical Equipment - Collection of gently used medical equipment (such as canes, bedside chairs, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.) for community members in need. Please drop off your items in Fellowship Hall.
- Morehead Peoples' Clinic - Members of FCC provide luncheons two months out of the year (May and November) for the volunteer workers at the Peoples Clinic. Our congregation also provides financial support to help provide health care to uninsured members of our community.
- DOVES of Gateway - FCC provides annual financial support to DOVES of Gateway.
- Build-A-Bed - In addition to providing financial support to the Americorps Build-A-Bed program, FCC has a Build-A-Bed Team each year.
- MSU's "The Everything Store" - Members of our congregation donate deodorants, soap, toothpaste, and other personal care items to support this outreach activities.
- Finals Week Goodie Bags - Each semester, members of the FCC congregation donate the snack items that make up the bags. These bags are given to our MSU students.
- Collections of Pet Foods - FCC periodically collects donations of pet food to give to the Tri-County Animal Shelter.
- Financial Assistance Program for the Rowan County Senior High School Senior Trip (NYC) - Financial assistance for two local high school seniors to participate in the Senior Trip.
- RCSHS Class Trip (Kings Island) - Our congregation provides assistance so fifteen students in need can participate on this trip. Additionally, FCC provides food money for 25 students on this trip.
- Rowan County Schools Class Trips (5th and 8th grades) - FCC provides annual support to local students whose families have limited financial resources. It is our hope that all of the students in the county can participate in these learning adventures.
- Undie Sundays - This project takes place at the beginning of school in August and again in February. It supports the Family Resource Centers with the Rowan County Schools and our participation has a direct impact on their ability to help kids in need. FCC annually collects nearly 400 new items for this program.
- Rowan County Schools Backpack Project - FCC supplements the Rowan County Schools Backpack Project for children over the weekends. Five fresh and healthy snacks are provided each week. We work with two of the elementary schools and they pack approximately 75 backpacks each week. This project is partially funded by the money we receive from Kroger when our members and friends use the Kroger cards.
- Sweet Blessings - Our congregation provides the funding for the purchase of cake and icing mixes so the Youth Services Director can make birthday cupcakes for students at the high school during their birthday month.
- Camp SMILE - Camp SMILE (Sharing Memories in a Loving Environment) is a collaborative effort by St. Claire Hospice and the MSU Department of Nursing. Camp SMILE is offered to children, 7 - 17 years old, who have been involved in hospice or who have experienced the loss of a loved one. FCC provides supplies for the annual event.
- MSU Space Camp - FCC provides financial support annually so that area youth can attend this Morehead State University summer activity.
