First Congregational Church’s Mission and Justice Board members uses a three-legged “stool” to encourage and support mission and justice work in climate justice, economic justice, and social justice. As we have reflected on this past program year, we noticed that we are living out our faith by providing educational opportunities, providing direct service to other, and building partnerships with other community and faith-based organizations. Here are some of the 2023-2024 efforts we know about. In addition to this list, we recognize members and friends of our church support many more efforts individually or as a family.
Educational Efforts
Programs on becoming a treaty people
Materials for families to use in learning about our relationships to our Indigenous brothers and sisters
Book studies and conversation about creation care
A summer camp for our children on creation care
A community-wide Sacre Earth Fair-Urban Edition
Workshops examining ones own racism
An opportunity to walk Bellingham and learn about our racial history in a new way
Discussion and reflection on gun violence
Development of a Land Acknowledgement
Direct Support and Service to Others
Basic home goods for those transitioning out of homelessness through Fresh Start
A place to rest, shower and receive case management through the Ground Floor
A hot meal cooked especially for those who reside at the Tiny Home Garden Village
Basic food needs through the Birchwood Food Desert Fighters
Food items to stretch a food budget through Family Promise
Warm coats and winter items through Interfaith
Christmas presents for over 100 children through Holiday Joy
World-wide support for new churches, retired members of UCC ministry, and UCC mission/justice efforts through our four special offerings
A safe space to gather for community groups such as the Queer Youth Open Mic and others
Dental care at no cost through the once-a-month dental van at the Bellingham Food Bank
Pet vaccinations for experiencing homelessness and wanting to care for their through a volunteer veterinarian effort
Installing solar panels as a step toward creation care and continued grant writing to become a support for the neighborhood
Building Partnerships
Faith Action Network – our direct advocacy voice at the state legislature
Whatcom Indigenous Allies – a new group coming together to learn and support Indigenous brothers and sisters
Multi-faith Network for Climate Justice – other faith-based groups working on climate justice and projects
Earth Ministries – state-wide legislative efforts by faith-based groups
Holiday Joy – a combined effort by Interfaith, the Opportunity Council, churches, businesses and individuals
Sacred Earth Fair: Urban Edition – involvement by other churches and community groups
Letter Street Association – partnering in many efforts
