The Outreach and Service Committee’s mission is to serve people in need. We do this by engaging our Church community in projects that empower people and provide for their necessities. We give aid - both service and financial - to local and global organizations that help the homeless, disadvantaged, disabled, unemployed, and oppressed. Additionally, we support stewardship of our planet, God’s creation.
Our hands-on outreach includes:
The Open Door
We will serve the 2nd Wednesday of each month (Feb. 12, Mar 12, Apr 9…) 2 volunteers are needed from 3:30-6:30 on each of those dates. You can sign up on our Sign Up Genius online (link below) or by speaking to Jim Brennan after worship or at 978-580-9623.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CABA822A1F49-54306850-open
The Seaside Parish Knitters
Over the years we have enjoyed our time knitting and crocheting items for baptismal events at the church, shawls and blankets for friends at home, scarves, neck gators, and helmet liners for our veterans in combat, and mittens and hats for Cape Ann children. The Seaside Parish Knitters are always looking for knitting needles and yarn that you might be considering “casting” aside, especially wool. Contact Penny Lapham at 978-526-7128. We welcome anyone wishing to join us.
Thanksgiving Bags
Each year we ask parishioners to donate requested items to create gift bags for seniors. We fill bags full of goodies that are distributed through the MBTS Council on Aging for a holiday treat.
First Parish has continuing collections for –
- The Open Door Most needed items – canned chicken & tuna, peanut butter, healthy snacks, 100% juice boxes, cereal, hearty soups, canned fruits & veggies.
- Operation Troop Support Socks, and small board and card games.
- The Grace Center Gift Cards from local grocery markets for perishables like cream, butter, milk.
Drop items at the Chapel (inside and outside bins) and at the Church
Seasonal Activities
Throughout the year, our church provides direct support for children and families such as loaded school back packs, holiday baskets and presents, and winter clothes.
Our financial outreach includes direct donations & gift cards to:
- Action, Inc. (Homeless)
- American Legion - Amaral Bailey Post 113 (Veterans)
- Operation Troop Support (Veterans)
- Beverly Bootstraps (Homeless)
- Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Youth / Education)
- Elevate New England (Youth Enrichment)
- Emmaus, Inc. (Homeless / Poverty)
- Gloucester Office for Veteran Services (Veterans)
- Habitat for Humanity (Homeless / Poverty)
- HAWC (Physical/Mental Abuse)
- Heifer International (Hunger / Poverty)
- Lifebridge Northshore - Grace Center (Homeless / Poverty)
- MAC United Church of Christ (Community Outreach)
- Manchester Essex Conservation Trust (Climate / Environmental)
- The Open Door in Gloucester (Hunger / Poverty)
- Rainforest Trust (Climate / Environmental)
- RIP Medical Debt (Financial aid for Medical expenses)
- Salvation Army North Shore (International Outreach)
- Wetland initiative (Climate / Environmental)
