Gifts of our time, talents, and money to those in need are an important part of the life of First Congregational Church.
October Outreach Wonderful Outreach Opportunities in October October's Outreach collections will go to Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF (www.doctorswithoutborders.org). Founded in 1971 in the aftermath of the Biafran war by a small group of French doctors and journalists who sought to expand accessibility to medical care across national boundaries, irrespective of race, religion, creed, or political affiliation. It has grown into a large international organization that provides medical relief in areas affected by natural or man-made disasters. Among the natural disasters it has responded to includes Hurricane Sandy in 2012, helping to fill gaps in medical aid in New York and New Jersey to some of the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, homeless, and handicapped. MSF responded to the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and is currently working hard to combat Covid-19 in many countries, including the U.S. In war zones, it adheres strictly to the principle of absolute neutrality, caring for all people, combatant and civilian, regardless of which side they are on. Despite that, its facilities are sometimes targeted and its doctors and other staff killed, yet they are not deterred. In 1999 MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "in recognition of the organization's pioneering humanitarian work on several continents." MSF has long been present in Afghanistan, providing aid during its endless wars, and latest reports indicate that it is still doing so, treating people who were injured in the fighting, as well as patients with a variety of other health conditions. This organization continues to provide healthcare to women, especially maternity and neonatal care. It states, "Doctors Without Borders teams in Afghanistan are continuing to provide medical care across all five of our projects in Herat, Helmand, Kandahar, Khost, and Kunduz provinces. Despite intense fighting in recent weeks, our teams did not stop providing medical care." Please consider giving generously to this magnificent organization and please indicate clearly that you want your donations to go to Outreach.
The Outreach Board encourages individuals and families from our congregation to go to the provided links to see what items are needed by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC's Amazon wishlists are the easiest way to donate. Items can be purchased from the wishlist and sent directly to the IRC office. Please check each link carefully to see how to drop off donations.
New in October: A Diaper Drive for Children Experiencing Homelessness sponsored by CORC, Coalition of Religious Communities. Faith communities are collecting diapers and delivering them to the Crossroads Urban Center food pantry. They have the highest need for larger diapers, size 5 and 6, because kids wear those sizes for much longer than the small sizes. Some babies are too big for size 1 when they are born and a lot of babies have outgrown that size by the time they are a month old. Please bring your diaper donations to the church anytime in October. You can leave the diapers in the baskets by the coat rack. Please contact Cissy Wolff (cissywolff@gmail.com or call/text 801-243-5457) if you have any questions or need help accessing any information.
September Outreach There are several Outreach opportunities in September: 1. September’s Outreach collections will go to The INN Between to end the tragic history of vulnerable people dying on the streets of our community. They provide a supportive safe haven for people who have nowhere to go during a medical crisis. Please consider giving generously to help The INN Between fulfill their mission to provide for the sick, especially the terminally ill, and to treat the whole person by providing support for emotional, social, and spiritual needs, as well as medical symptoms. Please indicate clearly that your donation should go to Outreach to support this very important mission.
The Outreach Board encourages individuals and families from our congregation to go to the provided links to see what items are needed by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC's Amazon Wishlists are the easiest way to donate. Items can be purchased from the Wishlist and sent directly to the IRC office. Please check each link carefully to see how to drop off donations.