There are a number of local, national and international
programs which First Church participates in. We are committed to working
together to help improve the lives of all peoples. Some of the efforts
we are involved in include:
BREAD & ROSES:
Several
members of our congregation are regularly volunteering at Bread &
Roses Soup Kitchen in Lawrence. Volunteers help to prepare and serve
dinner for between 150 and 200 guests at Bread & Roses. Volunteers
are asked to commit to one year of service and can be scheduled for
one night every week, every two weeks, or every three weeks. The church
office has more details or you can call Bread & Roses at (978)681-8768
NEIGHBORS IN NEED:
Neighbors in Need is a local food assistance
program which runs a number of food pantries in the area. Members
of First Church help to support NIN through donations of food and
money to the program. Each year our Church School gathers food for
Thanksgiving baskets to support Neighbors in Need.
M.A.P.A.
M.A.P.A. (Mision A Paraiso Ahora) is a mission group
which works in mutual ministry with Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana
in Paraiso, Dominican Republic. Currently, the major focus of the
group's work is on funding a church-run school in Paraiso. Be sure
to check the M.A.P.A. link for more information and to find out how
you can help. Trips to Paraiso take place on a yearly basis. Contact
the church office for more information.
OLIVER SCHOOL
First Church has established a partnership with the
Oliver School, a K-8 school in downtown Lawrence. We support the school
through tutoring, offering a "Young Scientists of America" program,
and bi-monthly activity fairs where students are offered a opportunities
to work on crafts, games, computer skills and sports.
Heifer
Project International
Each year our Church School supports Heifer Project
through a special Lenten offering. Each class chooses an animal that
they would like to raise funds to purchase. Children then find creative
ways to raise the funds to purchase their animals. This year, the
Church School raised almost $900 in support of HPI.
Other Projects
We also work on a number of other projects. Be sure to check back
for new and updated information.