COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Members of our church put their faith into action in many ways, both as individuals and through church-sponsored activities. Some ministry commitments are ongoing and traditional for us while new ones arise throughout the year. Below are some of the activities in which we participate as a church.

Monroe County United Ministries. Our church was one of the founders of this important community ministry, and we continue to give it our strong support. In addition to a generous commitment of financial aid to this ministry, we collect non-perishable food and toiletry items for MCUM on the first Sunday of each month, and individuals volunteer to work in MCUM's food pantry to provide for those in need.

Opportunity House. Op House is a thrift shop which receives donations of quality used goods and resells them at minimal cost as a service to low income families. Many of our members volunteer at Op House on a weekly basis.

Community Kitchen. Our church provides a monthly team to help prepare and serve a meal at the Community Kitchen on the third Thursday of each month.

If you are interested in participating in these or other mission opportunities, please contact us.

Our ABC Missionary Partners: David & Elizabeth Perkins.  The Perkins are American Baptist international missionaries serving at Kodaikanal International School in India.  Missionary Partnerships respond to the desire  in churches and individuals for a deeper relationship with missionaries and a sense of direct participation in world mission.  This also meets the need of missionaries for a strong support sytem for prayer, support, and resources.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Bob & Lu Carman, longtime members of First United Church and retired ABC international messionaries themselves.  We are glad to support this family and their continued mission work.

The Love Fund.  The Love Fund is a source of help for members of the community who run into financial difficulties.  It is kept without record.  In the past year we have been able to help 18 people, some for small amounts, and some for more significant sums.  It is made available by contributions of the congregation, mostly in the special green envelopes that are in members' envelope boxes - one for each month.  In the past year, our congregation contributed about $9300 in this way.  In addition, there have been special contributions for special situations.  The Fund is administered by the Board of Outreach.  We do our best to be careful and responsible with it.

Blood Drives.  First United regularly sponsors blood drives in cooperation with the local Red Cross.  The next one is scheduled for this fall.

Does First United Tithe?  You better believe it!  Our church regularly gives over 10% of its budget to organizations and people outside of First United.  Now that 2006 has come to a close, the Board of Outreach is pleased to report that First United is still tithing.  In 2006, the total income at First United was a little over $355,000.  First United gave away that income in several different ways.

• Budgeted Giving.  $32.000 was given away as budgeted, line item amounts.  These are pre-determined, fixed amounts that we give to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Community Kitchen, Middleway House, Amethyst House, Monroe County United Ministries, and to support our denominations (ABC and UCC).
• Special Offerings.  In 2006, First United also gave $13,050 through special offerings.  Some of these, like the World Mission Offering and One Great Hour of Sharing, benefit our wider denominational ministries.  Others, such as Crop Walk, Candlelight Communion (for the Shalom Center this year), and Homeward Bound, benefit people in our local community.
• The Love Fund.  Additionally, First United gives generously to the Love Fund, which is administered by our church to directly aid those in immediate need in our community.  In 2006, First United gave $24,810 through the Love Fund.
• MCUM Food Donations.  Finally, First United gives to the MCUM food pantry each month.  In 2006, we also gave large amounts to celebrate Rev, Skiles first Sunday at our church and for the Harvest Ingathering celebration.  The total weight of food given was 4947 pounds.  If you need a visual for that, just remember that your average canned item weighs about one pound.

Altogether then, First United gave away $70,760 in cash and 49947 pouinds of food -- well over 10% of our toal inccome.  We look forward to doing more of the same in 2007.