World Outreach (Disciples Mission Fund): Globally, FCC’s World Outreach ministry represents our world-wide response to Jesus’ passionate instructions to “Feed my lambs…Take care of my sheep…Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17) and his words “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me” (Mat 25:40).
As the cornerstone of our World Outreach ministry, FCC annually donates 12% of our budget (almost $52,000 last year) to our denomination’s Disciples Mission Fund (DMF). Our DMF was prepared to rapidly respond to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina just as they were more recently prepared to facilitate immediate on-site aid to Haiti (using on-going alliances with other aid organizations such as Action by Churches Together, Church World Services, IMA World Health and the World Council of Churches). These working relationships once again, in Haiti, proved themselves to be highly effective tools to rapidly channel resources to already-on-the-ground personnel in the locations where immediate aid was so desperately needed.
Unfortunately, horrific devastations such as Katrina and the Haiti earthquake severely deplete the resources of humanitarian organizations such as our Disciples Mission Fund. Therefore, back in 2005, our Congregation also rose directly in response to Katrina (with donations of monies, goods and multiple mission trips) and, more recently, stepped forward with additional donations (over $5,600) via special Haiti collections. Those monies were also augmented by the assembly of basic-necessity kits sent directly to Haiti’s suffering people.
Week of Compassion: Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Its mission is to empower and equip disciples to help alleviate the suffering of others through rapid disaster response, humanitarian aid, sustainable development and the promotion of mission opportunities. A special collection is made to support Week of Compassion efforts in the Spring of each year. Details of this ministry may be found at www.weekofcompassion.org.
Reconciliation Ministry: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) celebrates the Gospel teaching that God’s children come from all places and that the power of love at God’s table is able to bring together all races, languages, cultures and traditions. (Revelation 5: 9 -10) We recognize that there have been forces within our Church and society that have misshapen our self-understanding and promoted division. Acknowledging God’s call to be faithful to the witness of unity and justice, we confess that we are sinful and that racism is a result of our sinfulness. Yet, God heals us and calls us to be reconciled one to another and all to God. A special collection is made to support Reconciliation Ministry efforts in the Fall of each year. Details of this ministry may be found at www.reconciliationministry.org .
Special Day Offerings: These four annual offerings provide our Church opportunities to highlight specific ministries which we are also asked to support as part of our faith celebrations. There are four Special Day Offerings received each year: Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Each offering supports a specific ministry by gathering together the critical resources they require to fulfill their Christian missions.
1. The Easter Offering supports the General Ministries of the Church. General Ministries serve across the U.S. and Canada and around the world. General Ministries are partners in ministry serving through far-reaching and unique organizations.
2. The Pentecost Offering supports Disciples new Church development. Planning, nurturing and sustaining new congregation is part of the Disciples’ vision.
3. The Thanksgiving Offering provides direct support to Disciples colleges, universities and theological institutions. Disciples have a long history of post-secondary and theological education. This offering provides a direct connection to 14 colleges or universities, 3 seminaries and 4 seminary foundations/divinity houses. Gifts from the Thanksgiving offering continue a Disciples tradition of developing leaders for our communities and our Church.
4. The Christmas Offering supports Regional Ministries. The gifted funds are used in our 33 regions across the US and Canada. Ministers are nurtured and congregations are provided opportunities for work and worship from this ministry.
More detailed information on the world-wide missionary and education projects which these Special Day Offerings finance can be found at found at www.disciplesmissionfund.org and www.disciples.org. CONTACT: Ed Warabow, 741-1466 or edwarabow@yahoo.com
Mission Trips: Each year a group of our Church youth travel to somewhere in the US where people less fortunate than we are in dire need of help to get back on their feet, and/or to improve their quality of life. CONTACT: Cindy Adler, 741-5757. Also each year, a group of dedicated adults go on a similar mission to help the needy and to spread The Good News of Christ. CONTACT: Dick or Pam Henry, 741-4692 or henrydp@cox.net