Our Missions
October 2018 Mission Project
Merrimack Valley Gas Explosion Relief Fund
Excerpts from a letter released following the gas explosions in September in the Merrimack Valley area, from our transitional Interim Conference Minister, The Rev Don Remick...
The news from the gas related explosions and fires in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence have activated UCC staff who connected right away with clergy throughout the region to check in on how the clergy and their families and the churches and community were doing. All of our UCC churches are undamaged as they endure the loss of gas and power. Our pastors are safe, their homes and families are unhurt. There are some members of our churches whose homes were impacted. And certainly their communities are overwhelmed with the damage and disruption of this disaster.
Our Disaster Resource and Response Team working with our partner agencies and “Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters” monitored and supported the emergency response and recovery efforts. When word went out of the need for sheltering we contacted several churches in the area, all of whom were more than willing to offer their buildings as shelter for people impacted. Chaplains have been sent to the scene and shelters through the various agencies.
Knowing that the most important way we can respond to a disaster is through the gift of funds that allows maximum flexibility for local assistance, Central Congregational Church is receiving a monetary offering on Sunday, October 14th. Look for the special Mission offering envelopes in the pews. Please make checks payable to "Central Congregational Church" and write "Gas Explosion Relief Fund" in the memo line.
Thank you for helping our North Shore neighbors in need.
October 28 & November 4 Missions
Homes For Our Troops
Our Mission for October 28, & November 4, 2018
HFOT MISSION: To build mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured Veterans Post-9/11, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
ABOUT HFOT: Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these Veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar donated to Homes For Our Troops has gone directly to our program services for Veterans. HFOT builds these homes where the Veteran chooses to live, and continues its relationship with the Veterans after home delivery to assist them with rebuilding their lives.
BUILDING HOMES AND REBUILDING LIVES: HFOT builds homes as a departure point for these Veterans to rebuild their lives, and once again become highly productive members of society. Despite their life-altering injuries, many of our Veterans have embarked on new careers, completed their college degrees, or started families. Empowered by the freedom a mortgage-free and specially adapted home brings, these Veterans can now focus on their recovery and returning to their life’s work of serving others. Many have embraced their roles as motivational speakers, sharing their messages of persevering through tragedy with groups and classrooms around the country; others take to a national platform to promote awareness of veteran suicide, homelessness and PTSD. Their incredible stories – far too numerous to include on one page – are the driving force for the work we do here at HFOT. We encourage you to read more about their amazing stories on the website: www.HFOTUSA.ORG
BUILDING ON SUCCESS: Since 2004, HFOT has built over 190 specially adapted homes nationwide. Our goal is to build a home for every Veteran who qualifies for one of our specially adapted homes.
Special offering envelopes will be in the pews on October 28 & November 4.
Our Mission Committee thanks you for your kind and generous support