Outreach Ministry
We believe that we are called to reach out to those who need assistance as the Good Samaritan did when he saw the victim lying at the side of the road.
Sea Us Grow Preschool serves many children who come from financially challenged families and we as a congregation do our best to financially assist the school with a monthly Love offering and any other needs they might encounter. We just had a drive to collect books for the 4 year old group who lost all their books due to a flood in their classroom. We also host a great Christmas Party for the Preschool kids with gifts for the kids, a visit from Santa, gifts the kids can purchase for Mom (at a penny each – and the pennies are provided), moon walks, pictures with Santa, and a petting zoo (or other attraction). Pizza is free for all and it’s always a day of unbelievable fun – mostly for those who serve. O yes, the kids have a great time too!
CROP Walk – is an annual event in which we participate that supports many people both locally and around the world who struggle to make ends meet. Some of our members are walkers who are sponsored by other members and friends while the whole church collects, peanut butter, rice and beans which are distributed to families are in need through RCS and other organizations.
RCS (Religious Community Services) – is a local Clearwater organization (ecumenical and interfaith) that supports the poor and vulnerable in our area through a food bank, transitional housing for abused women and more. We support them financially and by scheduling workdays to refurbish and repaint apartments once they are vacated by families so the next family in need will have a fresh, beautiful place to move into.
Stocking "Stuffer" ideas for children at grace house - Click to View Flyer -
Sea Us Grow Preschool serves many children who come from financially challenged families and we as a congregation do our best to financially assist the school with a monthly Love offering and any other needs they might encounter. We just had a drive to collect books for the 4 year old group who lost all their books due to a flood in their classroom. We also host a great Christmas Party for the Preschool kids with gifts for the kids, a visit from Santa, gifts the kids can purchase for Mom (at a penny each – and the pennies are provided), moon walks, pictures with Santa, and a petting zoo (or other attraction). Pizza is free for all and it’s always a day of unbelievable fun – mostly for those who serve. O yes, the kids have a great time too!
CROP Walk – is an annual event in which we participate that supports many people both locally and around the world who struggle to make ends meet. Some of our members are walkers who are sponsored by other members and friends while the whole church collects, peanut butter, rice and beans which are distributed to families are in need through RCS and other organizations.
RCS (Religious Community Services) – is a local Clearwater organization (ecumenical and interfaith) that supports the poor and vulnerable in our area through a food bank, transitional housing for abused women and more. We support them financially and by scheduling workdays to refurbish and repaint apartments once they are vacated by families so the next family in need will have a fresh, beautiful place to move into.
Stocking "Stuffer" ideas for children at grace house - Click to View Flyer -
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TWEENS:
INFANTS:
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TEENS:
GRADE SCHOOLER:
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ALL:
TODDLERS:
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SOURCES OF LOW COST ITEMS
Grocery Store, Drug Store, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Walmart, K Mart, Michaels
TIPS
There are about 30 children involved — ages range from baby to teens
Specific numbers and ages available after November 30
We will need about 5 to 6 items per stocking, depending upon size of items
Plus small items to fill in empty spaces
NOT limited to what is on this list—if a child would like it, then it is right
Grocery Store, Drug Store, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Walmart, K Mart, Michaels
TIPS
There are about 30 children involved — ages range from baby to teens
Specific numbers and ages available after November 30
We will need about 5 to 6 items per stocking, depending upon size of items
Plus small items to fill in empty spaces
NOT limited to what is on this list—if a child would like it, then it is right
F.A.S.T. (Faith and Action for Strength Together) – is a community organization which is supported by 38 religious communities of many denominations and persuasions which come together to promote change in Pinellas County. See more information on the Justice Ministries page.
Mission 1: In 2011 Faith Church added the Mission 1 campaign to our main missions: Sea Us Grow, RCS, and FAST, combining them with this global perspective on hunger and poverty with a particular emphasis on the needy throughout America and the vast number of people facing starvation in Africa. When the national UCC announced the Mission 1 project the objectives were limited to eleven days in November 2011, from 11-1-11 to 11-11-11 when our denomination joined with other concerned people to confront food related injustice by collecting food for our local food banks, and money for Neighbors in Need to help the needy, and letters to Congress to urge our government to restructure US foreign assistance programs to focus on direct help to hungry and poor people around the globe. The Faith Church response to Mission 1 was phenomenal. We raised over $1000 for Neighbors in Need and close to 500 non-perishable food items for RCS Food Bank.
During 2012 Faith’s missions will continue to be developed with the same enthusiasm, energy, and passion that have been a hallmark of our church for many years. Mission 1 may be over, but for Faith UCC, Missions are with us every day.
Mission 1: In 2011 Faith Church added the Mission 1 campaign to our main missions: Sea Us Grow, RCS, and FAST, combining them with this global perspective on hunger and poverty with a particular emphasis on the needy throughout America and the vast number of people facing starvation in Africa. When the national UCC announced the Mission 1 project the objectives were limited to eleven days in November 2011, from 11-1-11 to 11-11-11 when our denomination joined with other concerned people to confront food related injustice by collecting food for our local food banks, and money for Neighbors in Need to help the needy, and letters to Congress to urge our government to restructure US foreign assistance programs to focus on direct help to hungry and poor people around the globe. The Faith Church response to Mission 1 was phenomenal. We raised over $1000 for Neighbors in Need and close to 500 non-perishable food items for RCS Food Bank.
During 2012 Faith’s missions will continue to be developed with the same enthusiasm, energy, and passion that have been a hallmark of our church for many years. Mission 1 may be over, but for Faith UCC, Missions are with us every day.
