How We Reach Out to the Community
Many members and friends of the congregation are active in the following groups that benefit others:
Friendly Service
This group of church women meets in the Fellowship Hall on the second Tuesday of each month to make quilts, layettes, health kits, school kits, lap robes, caps, sewing kits, school bags, and miscellaneous handwork. These are donated to missions, the local hospital, Social Service, D.A.C., Bethany and Knute Nelson homes, Kaps for Kids, the Local Listening Ear, and to the homeless shelter. They are largely responsible for providing the items sold at the gift shop during the summer church Bazaar.
Community Christmas Dinner
Each year, the church opens its doors to the community for a festive Christmas dinner, served on Christmas Day. Its purpose is to provide a special occasion for those who are alone or have no family with whom to observe this most special Holiday. Members of the congregation help to prepare and serve the dinner and serve as hosts.
Douglas County Fair
During the Douglas County Fair each summer, the church staffs a food booth during each day of the fair.
Local Food Shelf
A great effort by the church is made each year to collect items and monetary contributions for the local Food Shelf.
Support Groups
Baby-Sitting Co-op
Established for the purpose of providing a parents’ night out, the Co-op is held on the second Friday of each month from October through May. The Co-op is governed by its members, and they take turns watching the children.
Good Cheer
A representative from Women’s Fellowship routinely sends out cards of sympathy, good cheer, or get-well wishes to those members in need of such remembrances.
Holy Hotline
Requests for prayers for church members who are ill are sent out from the office by e-mail. In case of a death, those members without access to e-mail are notified by a phone call.
Mothers in Sympathy and Support (M.I.S.S.)
The mission of this group is to offer comfort, hope, support, and friendship to mothers enduring the loss of an infant due to stillbirth, SIDS, or any other type of infant death. The facilitators are mothers who have suffered the loss of their own babies. Meeting on the second Tuesday of every month, it provides a place to come together, to listen, to share, to gather suggestions and information, and a place to begin to heal.
Other Support Groups
We seek to support one another in the midst of changing needs and experiences. Members and friends are encouraged to talk to the Minister about the needs they see and interest they are willing to share.
It is the church’s policy to provide facilities for outside support groups as appropriate and feasible.
Fourth and Fifth Step Ministry
Many people, including a number of First Congregational members and friends, have found a new quality of life through various Twelve Step Programs based upon the principles and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. We want recovering persons to feel supported in this community. Our Minister is familiar with the Twelve Step Program and has been trained to hear Fifth Steps.
Youth Activities
The young people of the church frequently carry out community service projects such as Trick or Treating for the Food Shelf or Christmas caroling for shut-ins by the Youth Choir.
