****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.
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CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering addresses the support needed by some of our leaders, including supporting leadership development for communities of color, and providing support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need.
This offering is one of the four special PCUSA annual offerings.
The offering period runs through December 18th.
Backpacks for the Homeless
Our Christmas giving project this year is "Backpacks for the Homeless" sponsored by United Way of the Lewis & Clark Area.
70% of our unsheltered neighbors are from the Lewis & Clark area.
We are requesting donations of backpacks and essential items to fill them. Monetary donations are also helpful. United ways offers these suggestions: Backpack $35; Contents $45; Both $80.
Please donate by December 28th.
Items needed include:
Backpacks, socks, winter gloves, sunscreen, jerky, comb/brush, earplugs, protein bars, first aid kit, hand sanitizer, water bottle, lotion, wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, apples, trail mix, crackers with cheese or peanut butter, tuna or chicken snack packs, razors, shave cream, shampoo, toilet paper, tarp or blanket, shampoo, conditioner, soap, flashlight, nail clippers, deodorant, winter hats, flashlights, laundry soap pods
ANDREW CHRISTOFFERSON MISSION
We've arrived in Dubai
(Update from Andrew 10/28/2022)
Andrew and his family have arrived in Dubai and are adjusting to a new country and all the changes associated with that. Andrew is exciting about his new surroundings, new food, new people and the new friends he has met.
On his second day he was driving a small SUV (think donut tires) to meet a realtor when he became stuck in sand in a vacant lot. (The GPS told him to go that way!) After attempting to dig himself out and “rock” himself out as we do in Montana snow, he was still stuck. Then he saw two young men and despite communication issues, he asked them to help him out of the situation. The young men pitched in, and after several attempts the vehicle was free.
Andrew feels The Lord had a hand in this! He asks that we pray for his new friends and continue prayers for his new mission.
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.
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.
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.