About We are a Global Mission Church!
First Church is a Global Mission Church! That means we are partners with Global Ministries, Inc., the mission arm of the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church), in fostering mission awareness and involvement throughout the life of our church. These efforts are coordinated by the Global Missions Church Ministry Team, whose job is to encourage and assist all of our church committees to grow in global awareness and activity, each according to their area of responsibility. For more information, see our brochure created for our covenanting ceremony with Global Ministries in May 2008. Also, check out our three year plan, which was created in preparation for our special designation. The plan sets goals for activities and projects that will deepen our already considerable support for global mission. After three years we will evaluate our progress, celebrate our work and set new goals that utilize the programs and resources of Global Ministries.
The Global Mission Church Ministry Team does not do mission but serves as a catalyst for increased global awareness and mission work. Look for our Global Mission Church logo in all church publications.
For information about specific mission projects, look at the web pages for Sierra Leone and El Salvador, and consult recent church newsletters
The Global Mission Church Ministry Team does not do mission but serves as a catalyst for increased global awareness and mission work. Look for our Global Mission Church logo in all church publications.
For information about specific mission projects, look at the web pages for Sierra Leone and El Salvador, and consult recent church newsletters
by selecting “Get Connected/Newsletters” on the home page.
Global Missions Church Ministry Team:
Sally D’Alessandro, Joan Pritchard, Ednalou Ballard
Sally D’Alessandro, Joan Pritchard, Ednalou Ballard
Update on Global Mission Church Activities - Spring 2009
Visit by a Missionary -- Tim Rose, a missionary with African refugees in southern France, came to visit us on Sunday, February 8th. He showed a Power Point presentation of the people he works with and the church in France where the refugees worship and engage in community activities. He spoke to both youth and adults at a 9 a.m. session and at coffee hour as well as doing a mission moment in worship.
Child Sponsorship -- The church school is supporting Swarna, a young girl in India who is attending the King's Matriculation School in Vellore, India. In April, the principal of the school came to First Church for a visit on a Tuesday and enthralled a small group of church members with her description of the school and the life of the children who live in the surrounding villages. We were so inspired that we agreed to commit to sponsoring four more children through our church school and individual families.
Global Mission Church Evaluation -- Our ministry team reviewed the first year of a three-year plan to increase our church's global awareness and commitment. We are making good progress on our goals. As well as organizing the above activities, we also laid the foundation for resettling a refugee family, increased our presence on the church website and offered prayers in worship for our global friends. These new activities are in addition to the many other ongoing church mission activities such as Sierra Leone and El Salvador.
Update on Global Mission Activities 2008-2009
Child Sponsorship – This fall the Church School agreed to sponsor a child through Global Ministries and issued an invitation to church members to join them in sponsoring their own child. Several individuals, as well as the PF Youth Group, responded positively. The Church School chose a child in India.
Christmas cards for El Salvador – Jane Hikel will be creating Christmas cards for families in our congregation to sign & send to families in our Cabanitas sister parish, Cristo Redentor.
Visit by a Missionary – On Sunday, February 8, 2009, we will be blessed with a visit by Tim Rose, a UCC missionary in southern France who is taking a furlough back home here in CT.
Remembering our global sisters and brothers in worship – You will hear prayers from time to time for individuals that we have come to know around the world and for our partners in global mission.
