We are a Matthew 25 Church
Our congregation's goal is to help end systemic poverty. Therefore, we endeavor to support local organizations that share this philosophy by addressing poverty's root problem: lack of knowledge. Organizations that educate their residents enable them to improve their lives and take a step out of poverty.
Cuddle Buddies
Soft, cuddly “buddies” were created from flannel, and a group of friends gathered to stuff and complete them. Over one hundred Cuddle Buddies will be distributed to local groups in April, and will bring comfort to many children in stressful situations.
Family Promise Fundraiser
Again this year FPCH participated in the Comfort Food Challenge fundraiser. Pulled pork sliders was our offering. Additionally, small brownie bites were offered and larger brownies sold to benefit Family Promise.
Point-In-Time Dinner
FPC volunteers again prepared and served dinner at God’s Love in January during the Annual Point in Time Survey. Conducted by United Way of the Lewis & Clark Area, this survey of the unhoused population helps the agency plan for community resources to help those in need.
Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Christmas
Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Christmas equips churches to strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children and support the families of prisoners. Local churches and organizations minister to local children by delivering a gift, the Gospel message, and a personal message of love on behalf of their parent, grandparent or other family member behind bars.
This past Christmas, our congregation choose to brighten the lives of 20 children in eight different families. Participants from the congregation purchased and wrapped gifts suggested by the child’s caregiver. The Mission and Outreach Committee chose gently used, age-appropriate books from our library to give to each of the families, including a children’s bible. The beautifully wrapped gifts were delivered shortly before Christmas. Each caregiver was given a gift card to a local grocery store also.
Community Involvement
The Montana Jewish Project created an educational kit for Montana 4th grade classrooms containing lesson plans and a game. The kits will assist teachers in addressing bullying. Volunteers from FPCH helped assemble 50 boxes for shipment.
Special Olympics Dinner
The "Miles City Bandits”, a Special Olympics basketball team and their coaches, were our guests for dinner in November.
Hostess and guest share a special moment.
The 45 guests were warmly greeted, fed a nutritious meal and wished good luck for their games the next day.
The coloring house was a hit!
Pumpkin Patch Party!
The Pumpkin Patch Party was held in conjunction with our annual Pumpkin Patch, and featured bounce houses, games for children,
food and a raffle.
All things were free to the community.
Party-goers pose for pictures.
Chief hotdog cook...John G.
Habitat for Humanity Workday 2024
A small but mighty group of workers gathered to assist new homeowners with cleanup chores on their new homes. We worked to get windows and screens in working order and we cleaned windows, kitchen cabinets and bathrooms. We were able to work side by side with the homeowners; it was a very rewarding experience.
HONORING SPECIAL WOMEN & MEN IN OUR LIVES
For Mother’s Day, the congregation donated feminine hygiene and personal care items for distribution to women living at The YWCA, The Friendship Center, and Florence Crittenton.
For Father's Day socks, shaving products, and other personal care items were donated for men. The products were distributed to God's Love, Our Place, and The Pantry at Good Samaritan.
The products were donated as a way to honor our mothers and fathers or any special woman or man in our lives.
Fundraising Quilt
This queen-size quilt was donated to our congregation to be gifted to Family Promise as a fundraising item.
HELPING NEIGHBORS IN NEED
Our congregation displayed our good-neighbor attitude with their generous response to a special offering for Energy Share of Montana in February. Energy Share of Montana is a non-profit organization which assists Montana residents struggling with their power bill.
MISSION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
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, we also support those who are unsheltered and struggling to support themselves and/or their families.
The following is a partial list of the activities of FPCH for each of these groups of people:
For the hungry and thirsty:
Committed to collect food items and monetary donations for distribution to local organizations supporting the hungry and thirsty as an ongoing ministry; Committed to assemble and distribute bags of food and water to local panhandlers as an ongoing ministry; Committed to collect and distribute coupons for food items to assist individuals or families who struggle with hunger; purchased food baskets for refugee families around the world;
For strangers:
Committed to smiling at strangers and invite them to participate in worship services and fellowship activities; Committed to providing monetary support for a local missionary assigned overseas and other missionaries activities, Committed to providing financial support for our Presbytery Camp open to youth of all denominations; Provided dinner for Special Olympians visiting our community for a State sporting event. Engaged with local college students to invite them to participate in our church activities; sent encouragement to local young women and children through a cards outreach activity.
For the naked:
Committed to collecting and providing warm clothing to local organizations supporting the homeless; Committed to collecting blankets, towels & washcloths for underprivileged. members of our community; 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,
For the sick:
Committed to providing homemade lap quilts to members of the congregation in poor health or experiencing a difficult time in their lives; Committed to providing monetary donations to a local children’s’ home.
For the imprisoned:
Participated in a Prison Angel Tree Program, providing Christmas gifts to children of incarcerated family members. 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. Several members participate in Crossroads Prison Ministry, reviewing lessons of Bible students and writing letters of encouragement and support.
For the disadvantaged:
Committed to participating in community fundraisers, providing meals, overnight supervision and monetary support for families in transition; Committed to providing monetary support for a local home for pregnant mothers & their babies; Committed to providing monetary support for abused women and children; helped assemble curriculum boxes for The Montana Jewish Project, 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 war refugees.