Outreach
News from the Mission Committee
Blessings in a Backpack
Finance Commissioner, Dave King, is working with representatives from the Episcopal Church and the Lutheran Church to develop grant proposals to submit to area Foundations seeking continued financial support for this important program in our community.
The One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering
If the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have shocked you, one of the most pro-active things you can do is give money to the OGHS offering.
For both denominations, this offering deals with disaster relief working in cooperation with respected and effective agencies all over the world; hunger relief programs, and the self-development of people.
You may mail your donation directly to the church at:
Faith United Church
12 Mark Fitzgibbons Drive
Oswego, NY 13126
Please write "One Great Hour of Sharing" on the memo line of your check. Thank you for your generosity.
Deacons
The Faith United Church bylaws say that the Deacons (aka the Diakonite) are to minister to those who are in need, sick, friendless, or in distress, and to oversee the spiritual and practical needs of the membership.
That’s a pretty broad mandate, and can be interpreted to mean so many things! Fortunately there are eight of us. In practical terms, it means that Deacons strive to make sure all members of Faith United Church are remembered and cared for, both in times of need and times of joy. We serve coffee hour the first Sunday of the month. We host a fundraising bake sale, so that we’ll have dedicated funds available to meet special needs. We check in with each other, paying special attention to folks who find it difficult to get to church, or who have challenging illnesses. In some ways, we do what all the members of this church do for each other anyway, but in an intentional, dedicated way that aims to share the love of God with everyone who needs it.
We are here to serve.
And we pray for each other.
The current Commissioner for Deacons is Colleen Dristle.
Discipleship
The Discipleship Committee typically meets monthly. Our responsibilities to the Church include evangelism and providing fellowship for the Church members and friends. Each Spring we hold an annual yard sale which serves as a fund raising event for us and a needed service to the community. Items for sale include gently used clothing along with baked goods, books and plants. The sale is open to the wider community. Throughout the year the Discipleship committee also hosts seasonal fellowship events such as Chili cook-offs in the winter and Summer salad luncheons.
Annual Church Yard Sale
One of the most successful and fun community outreach projects here at Faith United Church is our Annual Yard Sale. We collect clothing, household items, books and food items for a bake sale. Everyone pitches in the week prior the sale to set up and prepare for the sale, which is held on a Saturday in early June. During that week we sort through all of the donations that have been brought in and display them in an orderly fashion. On Friday, the church “bakers” arrive with homemade goodies to sell at the bake sale. The unique thing about our sale is that nothing is priced. Shoppers are given plastic bags as they enter the building and can take anything they want - as they leave, they give a money donation based on what they feel is appropriate or that they can afford. It is a win-win all around!
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have cancelled the yard sale for this year. We plan on bringing it back as soon as we safely can. In the meantime, please continue to observe social distancing and wear your mask. And if you haven't already done so, please get vaccinated.
Mission Committee
DONATION REQUESTS FOR LOCAL MISSION PROGRAMS:
The following mission programs are supported year-round by Faith United Church. We urge you to support these local needs by bringing your donations to the appropriate collection baskets in the church narthex during regular church office hours (usually M,Tu,Th & F, 10-2). Call ahead (315-343-3480) to be sure that the church is open:
BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK (provides weekend and vacation food bags for up to 400 needy Oswego school children): cans of tuna or chicken, small plastic jars of peanut butter or jelly, boxes of cereal.
HUMAN CONCERNS CENTER (local food pantry): any canned or boxed food item that does not require refrigeration, personal hygiene items, laundry detergent.
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER (services for child abuse victims): packaged snacks, bottled water, personal hygiene items.
SALVATION ARMY (provides broad social services): financial donations only.
UNITY ACRES (permanent supportive housing for homeless men): financial donations only during the winter months, but laundry detergent, cat litter, and packaged snacks are welcome at other times.
OTHER FINANCIAL DONATION OPTIONS: You may also support any of these mission programs anytime by sending a designated check made out to Faith United Church with the name of the particular mission program in the memo line. Mail the check to :
Faith United Church,
12 Mark Fitzgibbons Drive,
Oswego, NY, 13126.
Thanks for your generosity and support for all of these local mission programs. They enhance the quality of life for many people in our community.
The Mission Committee of Faith United Church
Leslie King, Chair