For I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me drink,

I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

I was naked and you clothed me,

I was sick and you visited me,

I was in prison and you came to me.

Matthew 25: 35-36

To act on behalf of First Congregational UCC congregation to fulfill the words in the scriptures. This is achieved through the selection and distribution of Congregational pledged monies by the Board of Missions and Outreach, through All Church and Special Offerings, and church sponsored fund raising project(s). The financial support goes to those organizations (local, national and international) dedicated to helping those in need, both physically and spiritually. In addition, the Board provides opportunities for our Congregational members to participate in volunteer work, both inside our Church, within our Rochester Community, and beyond our local community as part of their personal mission and outreach activity. The Board encourages participation of the Board Members as well as the Congregation in making the giving of time and talents as important in missions and outreach as the financial support.

The function of the Board of Missions and Outreach is to plan and direct the missionary and outreach program of the church. This includes cooperation with and support of the United Church of Christ and other organizations, such as Church World Service, in their national and worldwide efforts to bring the message of Christ to others and to aid them in overcoming the scourges of starvation, poverty, disease and homelessness.

Name Term expiration

Joe Charles 05/09 Chair

Erica Harper 05/09 Secretary

Dee Jackson 05/09 Treasurer

Ted Avgerinos 05/11

Harriet Breckenridge 05/09

Lynn Charles 05/09

Don Eaton 05/11

Janis Harper 05/09

Beth Maybee 05/10

Gary Maybee 05/10

The Missions board receives a budget at the beginning of the year as agreed upon and voted by the congregation. The budget submission represents about 8%-9% of the total church budget and that amount is supplemented by the special collections and projects such as the 40 days activities so that the final amount is in the 10% - 12% range.

Charities are served via the Missions board in three ways: through special collections, by community action such as the 40 days and through direct monetary donation to the charity as designated by the Missions committee.

* Special collections: In the case of special collections, the money collected in church is sent directly to the organization. Planned special collections have been reduced to three throughout the year. They are:

* Community Action: Consists of activities that the church undertakes including:

Event Date 2008/2009 Coordinator

Community dinners 11/30/08 Deirdre Eaton

3/29/09

5/31/09

8/30/09

Neighbors in Need (SC) 9/30&10/7/08 Suspended for 2008

Christmas Fund (SC) 12/24 Erica Harper

Christmas baskets December Harriet Breckenridge, Janis Harper, Don Eaton

Hillside Christmas tree Nov/Dec Gary & Beth Maybee

One Great Hour of Sharing (SC) March 2008 Dee Jackson

Boy Scout Sunday 2/3/2008 Gary Maybee

Missions website submissions Monthly Joe Charles

Missions Inbox review Monthly Gary Maybee

Backpacks for GRCC September '09 TBD

Joy Church liaison Monthly Harriet Breckenridge

Layettes for Bethany House As requested Lynn & Joe Charles

Salem Soup Kitchen Monthly Harriet Breckenridge

The Missions board receives requests for funding from many sources and as each one is discussed by the board, a determination is made on the worthiness and amount to be donated. A fact sheet is filled out on each charity, giving the contact information, sources of income, mission statement, sponsor, etc. The intent of these fact sheets is to make them available to anyone in the church that wishes to see where the money goes. We are currently trying to make them available either on this website or as a link. In the meantime, any of the sheets may be obtained by contacting Joe Charles.