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Outreach Team

At First Church we understand that we truly are the body of Christ, and our outreach missions reflect our belief in showing kindness and compassion to all of God’s creation. There are countless ways to get involved in the outreach work of First Church — whether you want to serve hot meals to your neighbors or build houses for those who desperately need them, your hands are needed here! First Church Outreach is involved in helping people who struggle with food insecurity and homelessness, and we are particularly involved in working for equity and social justice.

Thanksgiving Baskets

Our food collection for Thanksgiving baskets for Covenant to Care is here! Please bring items to church and place them in a “Food for Friends” barrel by November 24. We will use these items to fill the baskets. If you would like to help, please bring in a food item, using the following guide:

If your last name begins with…you’ll bring:

  • A-D: Bread and roll mix; stuffing mix
  • E-H: Gravy and Cranberry Sauce, Spanish Food (ie Goya Products)
  • I-L: Canned fruits and vegetables
  • M-P: Juice, tea and coffee
  • Q-T: Rice and potatoes
  • U-Z: Breakfast cereals and juice boxes

We will also be collecting Stop and Shop gift cards, which each family will receive along with their basket of food items.

We are looking for volunteers to fill and organize the baskets on November 24 after worship.

If you can help out or have any questions please contact Diane Bohman at dmbohman@comcast.net or Molly Bohman at jpwebsterlib@whfirstchurch.org.

Hat and Mitten Collection for Covenant to Care & The House of Bread

Now through December 31st we will be collecting new or gently worn mittens, hats, scarves, new socks, and other winter clothing for Covenant to Care and The House of Bread! Please bring items to church and look for designated boxes for collection. Thank you!

 

Share A Gift Tree for Our Covenant to Care Children

’Tis the season to share Christmas joy! Take a tag from the tree in the auditorium starting November 24 and bring the unwrapped gift to the church by December 15.  Thank you for helping our Covenant to Care children have a Merry Christmas! For any questions, please contact  Diane Bohman at dmbohman@comcast.net or Molly Bohman at jpwebsterlib@whfirstchurch.org.

Pre-K for the Little Peanuts Quilt Fundraiser

 

Linda Dore was the winner of the quilt auctioned off by Jeanne Warner’s foundation “Pre-K for the Little Peanuts” and she graciously donated it to the FCAFYC to display in one of their classrooms. Pictured are Dawne Quinn, Director of the Academy, Linda Dore, and Jeanne Warner.

Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA)

A broad-based social justice initiative piloted by the Center for Leadership and Justice. GHIAA is comprised of over 40 churches, synagogues, mosques, and meeting houses, creating a diverse organization of lay leaders and clergy from across bounds of race, class, gender identity, religion, and geography. GHIAA builds relational power in local communities to address social justice issues. GHIAA’s current campaigns are focused on the areas of Criminal Justice Reform, Education, Gun Violence, Healthcare, and Housing.

 

If you have questions, contact Linda Bronstein (lindadiane275@gmail.com) or Terry Schmitt (taschmtt@aol.com) directly.  Thank you!

 

 

More info about GHIAA here: cljct.org/ghiaa

GHIAA Campaign Kick-off Coming Up

Thursday, November 21 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Weaver High School (415 Granby St., Hartford)

GHIAA will soon launch its next round of collective efforts to make life better for everyone in our little corner of the world. You — and your friends, and your neighbors — are invited to attend the kick-off celebration, and help show by your presence the breadth and strength of support that is behind GHIAA’s efforts. Information on how to register and who wants to car pool will be available soon.

The campaigns being launched will focus on improving housing affordability, updating State fiscal policy, combating racial and religious hate, and reclaiming the former MIRA trash-to-energy site.

 

Here is a message from GHIAA Organizer Marika Stewart, following up on GHIAA’s educational equity campaign win last year.

Hello GHIAA Leaders,

During the last legislative session, we partnered to fight for fair education funding reform – and we succeeded! We saw $150 million added to this year and full funding for the Education Cost Sharing Formula next year. This was a huge investment in our students and a major step to end inequality in our education system.

But now, Gov. Lamont is trying to take back this historic victory for CT students. In his new proposed budget, Gov. Lamont is removing 50% of new funding for K-12 education in the coming fiscal year. The ECS was calculated to identify how much money is needed to fully fund K-12 education in our state. Taking back the new funding commitment is a decision to knowingly underfund CT schools. Hartford Public Schools alone would lose $11 million of vital funding.

Action Steps:

  • Reach out to your legislators: Tell them you care about K-12 education funding reform. Ask them to hold strong and reject the Governor’s proposed budget. Our colleagues at School + State Finance Project have created an easy online way to Submit Written Testimony Today!
  • Press Conference: Rep. Curry, Sen. McCrory, and the School + State Finance Project will be hosting a press Conference on Thursday, February 15 at 1:15pm, in Legislative Office Building (LOB). Any GHIAA Clergy, Core Team leaders, or GHIAA Institution members particularly concerned about this topic are welcome to attend.

We will keep you informed as this develops and we identify additional ways to have an impact. Please reply to me at mstewart@cljct.org with any questions.

Have A Great Day,

Marika Stewart
GHIAA Organizer
Center for Leadership and Justice/
Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance

Work: (860)834-3060
Fax:     (860)727-9558
Email:  mstewart@cljct.org
Web:   www.cljct.org
47 Vine Street, Hartford, CT 06112

Judy, Bob, Jeanne and Carol all smiles at the March 2024 Loaves and Fishes prep. Yes Bob has a couple of black eyes; they look worse than they are; he checked out fine, and he didn’t let that stop him from helping on this day.

Loaves and Fishes, a local soup kitchen, provides warm meals and a safe place to eat for Hartford residents. Once a month First Church volunteers work with Loaves and Fishes staff to serve a hot meal. First Church members and friends also regularly donate grocery items for Loaves and Fishes’ “meals-to-go” program.

Communications Team. The Communications team is a branch of the Outreach Ministry, and is charged with spotlighting what goes on here at First Church. We employ many avenues to communicate and market our mission and events to the community and to our membership. In addition to digital messaging we design banners, signs, flyers, newspapers and good old word of mouth!

 

As the world of social media and publicity evolves, we do our best to evolve with it! Church members who have an interest in marketing are invited to check out the Communications Team!