Outreach

As members of First Parish Church United, we believe that justice and compassion require us to listen and to respond to the needs of people in our local and world communities, especially those who are poor and powerless. Our respect for the personal dignity of all people calls us to recognize and respect people of all cultural and spiritual heritages. We had a great time on the Walk for Hunger! The walk is held Good Friday of each year.

Success! First Parish Church United meets challenge of raising $5000 for Heifer International!

The special outreach challenge for the church year 2002-2003 was to raise $5000 for Heifer. Over $5,244 was raised during a year focused on educating ourselves about the work of Heifer.

Since 1944 Heifer International has helped over 4 million families in need by providing more than 25 types of food and income producing animals and intensive training in animal management, environmentally sound farming and community development in 128 countries. The organization works to help lift people out of poverty. The Heifer project gives people animals and requires them to give the first offspring back to the organization to help others in need. Heifer also provides loans, with interest, to help improve villages and farming techniques. If you would like to learn more about Heifer International, please visit www.heifer.org .

We assist those in need in our local community through the following activities:

Outreach Sunday Leaf Raking:   Each year, as a part of our Worship Service in early November, we assist our elderly and handicapped neighbors by raking the leaves in their yards. This is always a productive and enjoyable way to spend a fall Sunday. Thanksgiving Baskets:   We supply the Cameron Senior Center with Thanksgiving baskets. Our first and second grade children decorate the bags that are filled with donated food and a $25 gift certificate for a turkey. Holiday Families:   We are committed to helping several families through the Cameron Senior Center. Outreach Garden:  Our church is part of a multi-church effort in Westford to grow crops for local food pantries. The garden is located at Meadow Brook Farm in Westford. Blood Drive:  The Fellowship Hall of First Parish is, with its central location and easy access, a favorite location for hosting Red Cross Blood drives. Food Pantry:   First Parish Church volunteers donate and deliver food to the Open Pantry of Greater Lowell and the Westford Food Pantry at the Senior Center. Middlesex Shelter:   We assist serving meals the second Thursday of every month at the Lowell Transitional Living Center (a.k.a. Middlesex Shelter), 189 Middlesex Street in Lowell, MA. Contact Gloria Gilbert to volunteer. Walk for Hunger:   This annual event in support of local area food shelters is always well-supported by First Parish. Pledges from church members and neighbors support the group of young and not-so-young walkers who take on the 13-mile or 4-mile course each year. Please join us!

Denominational Sharing

We collected $386 during our 3-week sharing campaign in 2002. We sent $193 along with $200 from the outreach budget to each of our denominations’ outreach efforts. That’s a total of $786! Thank you once again to all that participated.

We need your help!

Please Email  Susan Day Daniel, Outreach Committee Chairperson, if you want additional information on any of the above.