Mission Outreach Programs
Love ~ Grow ~ Serve
Primary Missions/Outreach:
- Operation Christmas Child
- Christmas/Winter Mission
- Food For Vets
Ongoing Missions/Outreach:
- J.O.Y. ~ Just Older Youth
- M.O.P.S.
- Seeds of Hope
- Prayer Chain
- Care & Share
- Soldier Box Ministry
- Love Packages
- Hope House
Individual Missions/Outreach:
- Evelyn’s House
- Rescue Mission of Utica
Activities:
- Easter Celebration
- Trunk or Treat
Primary Missions/Outreach:
Operation Christmas Child
Mission Description:
Operation Christmas Child is a project of the international relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse. They provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. These simple gifts are sent to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine and disease.
Christmas /Winter Mission
Mission Description:
Mission and Outreach Team selects a mission each year. In the past socks and underwear were collected and distributed to all schools in the Utica School District. Another year items were collected and distributed to residents living in local nursing homes for Christmas delivery.
Food For Vets
Mission Description:
Food is collected and then distributed to the various Veteran groups in the area.
Ongoing Missions/Outreach:
J.O.Y. ~ Just Older Youth
Mission Description:
This group works closely with the Care & Share and Prayer Chain Ministries. People identified as needing extra loving and care are visited, sent cards and/or called on the phone. At Christmas a small basket of treats is delivered to those who live locally. With the contact is a note letting the person know that the First United Church of New Hartford is thinking about them and has them in our prayers.
M.O.P.S.
Mission Description:
M.O.P.S. International exists to encourage and equip Moms of young children to realize their potential as Mothers, women, and leaders, in relationship with Jesus, and in partnership with our Church.
Seeds of Hope
Mission Description:
Seeking to reflect God’s love, we are an interactive community providing supplemental nutritional needs, offering hospitality, education, and advocacy for our neighbors. The food pantry serves the Utica area. All who enter are provided with a 3-day supply of food based on size of family and personal items as they are available. Volunteers are needed for transportation, stocking shelves, keeping records, greeting guests, and providing hospitality.
Prayer Chain
Mission Description:
Sincere prayer for people brought to the attention of this group by a church member. Simple name is all that is needed, not necessary to provide in depth information. Privacy is important; permission is obtained from the designated person.
Care & Share
Mission Description:
Church members volunteer to provide food (part of a meal or the entire meal) for those in our Church family who are confined to home due to illness, surgery, or a death in the family, etc. A main dish, salad or vegetable and dessert are given to the family. Family is asked if there are any diet restrictions.
Soldier Box Ministry
Mission Description:
A prayer list, given by Church family and friends, is kept for all active military soldiers. Our Church family is asked to pray for those individuals. A box of goodies is sent to soldiers, who are actively deployed overseas, on a monthly basis.
Love Packages
Mission Description:
This ministry puts the World of God in mission fields around the World. Love Packages is supported by free will offerings from churches and individuals. Literature is collected, sorted and then sent to missionaries.
The literature collected is:
1.) Bibles (all Bibles, New Testaments, and Bible portions (new or used)
2.) Reference materials
3.) Sunday School literature
4.) Books and paperbacks
5.) Magazines and Daily devotionals (Not Guideposts)
6.) CD’s and DVD’s
Love Packages is not affiliated with any denomination, but seeks to be a blessing to the Whole Body of Christ.
Hope House
Mission Description:
Hope House offers homeless or needy individuals in the city of Utica, NY and its environs a daytime opportunity for shelter, a hot nutritious meal, and referral if desired, to any needed human service. Our Church provides a monthly meal and members help serve meals.
Activities:
Trunk O’ Treat
Activity Description:
Reaching out to families in the community with a fun family event while showcasing our church’s hospitality and programs.
Easter Celebration
Activity Description:
A fun Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration for children and families. They will do a craft, have a snack, hunt for eggs and learn the True Message of Easter—Jesus. Other activities are planned for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
