Outreach
Outreach
Reaching out and connecting with the community has always been an important part of the ministry of First Christian Church. Here are just some of the ways we are involved in ministry to the world beyond our doorsteps. First Christian Church annually supports many missions and ministries.
CURRENT LOCAL OUTREACH PROJECTS
Clothing for Orphans in Afghanistan - Members are collecting warm clothing for orphans ages 3-13. They are being delivered by a contact in the State Department stationed there.
Aid for Battered Women's Shelter Residents - FCC provided the fixings for Thanksgiving Dinner for the 80 residents of the Baton Rouge Battered Women's Shelter this year. We had such a good monetary esponse from the congregation that we were able to purchase 3 VCR/DVD players for the shelter for Christmas. Synergy also supplied over 40 security blankets for the children to cuddle up with.
FCC Helps Aid Local Service Organizations - Due to the help of FCC, two Baton Rouge organizations have received grant money from the Week of Compassion. In 2007, the Holy Grill of the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge received two installments of $10,000 to support their feeding program in Zion City. In 2008, the Holy Grill will receive an additional $10,000. Also in 2007, Southeast Ministries was awarded a check for $10,000 to support their food pantry and financial assistance programs. Both of these local organizations received monies that were designated by Week of Compassion for hurricane relief. Since both the Holy Grill and Southeast Ministries are servicing relocated residents of the New Orleans area, the grants were approved. FCC is proud to be a liaison between the gifts of our denomination and real needs here in Baton Rouge.
ON-GOING LOCAL OUTREACH PROJECTS
Operation Hope, a Baton Rouge support agency that connects those in need of financial, educational, and emotional assistance;
Children's Crisis Center, a local home for abused children;
St. Anthony's House, which houses terminal AIDS patients;
Myriam's House, which offers lodging to women and their children, as they seek educational opportunities;
Battered Women's Shelter; which offers shelter and protection for victims of domestic violence.
Southeast Ministries, a collection of churches in Baton Rouge who provide weekly support to families in the form of food and rent and utilities assistance. Church members have long been volunteers, as 100% of the work done by SE Ministries is done by volunteers. Additionally, an annual Thanksgiving ecumenical service is hosted by the churches of the Southeast, of which First Christian Church is one;
Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge, which boasts a membership of over 30 Christian Churches (both Protestant and Catholic), as well as both of Baton Rouge's Synagogues. Existing since 1986, the Federation promotes and facilitates dialogue among the Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam), sponsors an annual Dr. Martin Luther King day worship service, as well as the following services:
Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS)
FCC is a partner with Westminster Elementary School providing Reading Friends and continuing staff support to the school. Click on the attached page for VIPS updates.
HOLIDAY OUTREACH
Every year, First Christian Church undertakes a special outreach during the holiday season. This has consisted of providing a Christmas meal and specific Christmas presents for up to 30 families in the Baton Rouge area, and a sit-down formal dining experience held in the fellowship hall for over 30 residents of Baton Rouge. This year we provided Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas presents for the Battered Women's Shelter.
SPECIAL OFFERINGS
First Christian Church has been known to be very generous in its giving to the special offerings of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Among them are the Christmas offering (supporting our Great River Region - Disciples churches in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana), the Pentecost offering (supporting new church starts), and the Thanksgiving offering (supporting Disciples higher education). Additionally, FCC is a strong supporter of the Week of Compassion, the fund of the Christian Church distributed to victims of natural disasters, as well as supporting ministries and programs around the world that promote justice and the reversal of poverty trends.