On Going Missions
Tithes & Offerings
Tithes and offerings are intended to be a joy and a blessing. As we follow our faith we know that a church's human resources and infrastructure needs are no different than any other non-profit. We know we need leaders who can offer spiritual guidance and management expertise. Knowing this we believe every tithe or offering should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. We reflect within ourselves, searching our minds and hearts, and we pray. From these many perspectives we offer our tithes and offerings, and, as it says in Corinthians, “Each person should give what he s/he has decided in her/his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Give
Pastor's Discretionary Fund
At the beginning of each month we celebrate communion at First Parish. As part of that worship service we offer individual support to those within our parish and community who need help with fuel oil, food, clothing, and the like. Our Senior Minister weighs each request with prayer and with the knowledge that he carries our church’s spirit of caring and love to each person in need.
Give
Caring Cards
Caring cards are filled out by parishioners each month and these are mailed to a recipient designated on the address side of the card. This caring and loving feature allows you to let someone know that there is hope and love as they carry a burden or know that others are celebrating a milestone in their life.
Prayer Shawls
This FPC ministry consists of knitters and crocheters who follow their passion for their craft, creating garments that are blessed by prayer. These works of hope and love are given to the poor, sick and disadvantaged, and are used to celebrate joyous occasions such as weddings, graduations and baptism.
Johnson/Atkinson Fund Projects
The Johnson/Atkinson Fund is a gift to the church to inspire and support development of church ventures to faciiatate spiritual growth. It is intended to serve as a catalyst for new energy and commitment to grow in the knowledge and love of God in Christ and radiate God's love in an ever-changing world. We are thankful for the thoughtfulness of this gift from Bill and Mary Johnson who established this fund. Recipients are chosen each year by the J/A Team.
J-A Fund Application
Saco Food Pantry
The Saco Food Pantry
(located at 67 Ocean Park Road) provides food for local Mainers in need through
short-term and intermittent help, or long-term help for those who continue to
struggle. The pantry is run by a volunteer staff which includes a Board of
Directors. Days and Hours: Monday - Friday 9 to 11 a.m. Call 207-468-1305. All
members of our congregation are invited to place non-perishable food (for the
Saco Food Pantry) into the church’s shopping cart.
Saco Food Pantry
Bon Appetit
This meal program, open
to the public Monday to Friday starting at 4:30 pm, is located at Second
Congregational Church, 19 Crescent St., Biddeford. The director is Deb Gagnon;
phone 283-0380. First Parish Congregational Church supports Bon Appetit with donations,
and by providing volunteers to serve and clean up the meal on the second Monday
of each month. The sign up sheet for volunteers is posted on
the bulletin board near the office of First Parish Congregational Church-UCC.
Shoe Ministry
The Mission Team
collects and stores new and slightly used footwear to give away to those in
need. We display a shelf of shoes in the
church’s Atrium. We also give away shoes on our MLK day of sharing, and to any
charity or person who requests shoes. Some of our footwear goes to Open Hands
Open Hearts (free clothing for children), located next to the Saco Food Pantry
(67 Ocean Park Road, Saco).
Paul Hazelton House Breakfast
Volunteers sign up to
make and serve breakfast (from 8 am until 10 am) for residents of this senior
housing facility. This event takes place the 3rd Saturday of every other month.
The sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board near the office.
Huot House Meal
About 4 times per year,
the congregation makes and serves a meal for the veterans that live in this
transitional housing facility. The dates and times are announced, and the sign
up sheet is posted on the bulletin board near the office.
Welcome Immigrants Our New Neighbors
When Christ Federated
Church in Kennebunk, Maine, is in need of more donations for the new immigrants
who are seeking asylum near us, then a mission team member communicates the
needs to the congregation, and volunteers transport donated items to the immigrants
or to storage in Kennebunk.
Seacoast Mission
For quite a few years, the mission team has annually helped support volunteers from our congregation who refurbish low income housing in Cherryfield, Maine each fall. In addition, the Twomeys have collected mittens for children, and lap robes for the elderly, which the Seacoast Mission has distributed to those in need.
Martin Luther King Day of Service
Each year first Parish Church opens its door on MLK's Day of Service to provide services for anyone in need.