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.
Outreach Team
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!
After the GHIAA Campaign Kick-off, now what?
Ten members and friends of First Church participated in the Campaign Kick-off on Nov. 21, and now it’s time to get to work!GHIAA is forming town-by-town Housing Affordability Teams (HATs) to look into what each town needs to do to remove its own barriers to affordable housing. A HAT team is forming in West Hartford, as well as in many other towns. If you are interested in joining a team, contact Linda (lindadiane275@gmail.com) or Terry (terryschmittwh@gmail.com).
Also, First Church needs to fulfill its commitment, as a founding member of GHIAA, to contribute $5000 each calendar year to help pay for the staff that keeps GHIAA functioning and the materials and events that make it possible to get the work for justice done. Every year our Outreach Team contributes $2500, and the rest needs to come from individual donations. If you can help — whether it’s $5 or $500 — please make your donation soon. Give online with button below or by text (Text “GIVE” to (860) 222-7870), you will find GHIAA is one of the destinations. If you donate by check, please write “GHIAA” in the memo line.
Thank you for your support, financial and otherwise!
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! All tags pulled and gifts returned…thank you all!
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.
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!