****Statement of purpose**** Our committee exists to facilitate the sharing of God's love and care in the world by guiding our congregation in the giving of our time, talents, and financial resources.
OUTREACH MINISTRY
CARDS AND CANDY
Fifty eight envelopes containing cards, candy, and a bracelet were given to the Helena YWCA and The Friendship Center on February 13th. The envelopes for the children also held stickers and a notepad. Individuals from the congregation wrote Bible passages and/or other words of encouragement to the recipients.
REFUGEE FOOD BASKETS
Giving Catalog item
Prompted by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, we are once again purchasing food baskets from the Giving Catalog to offer our support. The story of the Good Samaritan teaches us to show kindness and mercy to all who are in need.
We will extend a caring hand with a basket of food and essential supplies to our neighbors around the world who are struggling and searching for a peaceful place to call home.
Baskets are $50 each, but donations of partial amounts will be combined. Give soon; this campaign will end March 31st in order to more quickly provide the much needed aid.
RECENT MISSION ACTIVITIES
OUR FOCUS:
We focus our giving on the “least of these” as specified in Matthew 25: The hungry, The thirsty, Strangers, The naked, The sick, and The imprisoned. And although not specifically mentioned in Matthew 25, the disadvantaged also receive our support. The following is a partial list of the activities of FPCH for each of these groups of people:
For the hungry and thirsty:
Collected food items and monetary donations for distribution to local organizations supporting the hungry and thirsty; assembled and distributed bags of food and water to local panhandlers; purchased food baskets for refugee families around the world; collected and distributed coupons for food items to assist individuals or families who struggle with hunger.
For strangers:
Encouraged our congregation to smile at strangers and invite them to participate in worship services and fellowship activities; provided monetary support for a local missionary assigned overseas and other missionaries activities; provided financial support of our Presbytery Camp open to youth of all denominations; engaged with local college students to invite them to participate in our church activities; sent encouragement to local young women and children through Cards & Candy outreach.
For the naked:
Collected and provided warm clothing to local organizations supporting the homeless; collected diapers and baby products for distribution to local organizations supporting young mothers and babies; collected and provided clothing and personal care items for distribution to war veterans in transitional housing, collected blankets, towels & washcloths for underprivileged.
For the sick:
Provided homemade lap quilts to members of the congregation in poor health; provided monetary donations to local children’s’ home.
For the imprisoned:
Collected puzzle and activity books for a boys correctional facility as well as monetary donations to purchase sports equipment; made and gave lap quilts to members of the congregation isolated due to Covid19.
For the disadvantaged:
Provided back-to-school supplies to disadvantaged children; participated in community fundraisers, provided meals, overnight supervision and monetary support of families in transition; collected and distributed personal care and cleaning items to local organizations supporting disadvantaged families; collected and distributed menstrual products to local organizations supporting disadvantaged women; provided monetary support for a disadvantaged youth organization; provided monetary support for a local home for pregnant mothers & their babies; provided monetary support for abused women and children; provided monetary support for war refugees.