First Congregational Church

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First Congregational Church Litchfield, CT
Board of Missions General Overview Last
Revision May 2007
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LFCCs Mission Statement

• The mission of this church shall be to worship
  God, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to
  celebrate the sacraments of baptism and
  communion to realize Christian fellowship and
  unity with this church and the Church Universal
  to render loving service toward humankind and to
  strive for righteousness, justice, peace and to
  equip you with the saints

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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The Board of Missions

• 10 of LFCCs Operating Budget is allocated to
  the Board of Missions to render loving service
  toward humankind.
• The Board of Missions meets monthly to allocate
  funds towards charitable contributions, align our
  short term strategies and to develop plans to
  meet our long term goals
• The Board of Missions also accomplishes good
  works through the following sub-committees
  SERRV, Covenant to Care, Helping Hands, and HOPE

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Who We Are

• Board of Missions
• Lou Beres
• Barbara Hillis
• Leslie Polito
• Sub-Committee Leads
• Covenant to Care Tammy Moritz
• SERRV Helen Danner
• HOPE Dorothy Anderson William Hillis
• Helping Hands Carole Gilbert April Blasavage

• Suzanne Neuman
• Deb Elwell
• Marie Ziello

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Board of Missions Goals

• Higher Degree of Awareness within the
  Congregation
• Higher Degree of Involvement within the
  Congregation
• Higher Degree of Involvement within the
  Litchfield Community
• Improve our Internal Processes

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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2006 Contribution Breakdown
Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Local Contributions

• This past year, significant donations were made
  to the following organizations within our local
  community
• Torrington Community Soup Kitchen
• Greenwoods
• Susan B. Anthony
• Litchfield Housing
• LHS After-prom
• Pastors Discretionary Fund

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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National International Contributions

• This past year, significant donations were made
  to the following national international
  organizations
• Hearts of the Father
• St. Jude
• Angel Tree Prison Fellowship
• Samaritans Purse
• The Carter Center
• SERRV International
• Katrina Relief

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Covenant to Care

• Covenant to Care is an inter-faith ministry that
  works in conjunction with the Department of
  Children and Families in Connecticut to address
  the needs of abused and neglected children
• Emergency needs are provided with food and
  clothing
• During the Christmas season, Wish Lists have
  been filled with direct contributions from
  members of our congregation
• We can also participate by donating Toiletries
  that are collected in a basket outside the church
  office

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Helping Hands

• Helping Hands collects donations of clothing,
  furniture and household goods from church and
  community members.
• Items are consigned to our local thrift shops.
• Sales for these items are provided to the
  Litchfield School System Nurses Emergency Fund
• Needy Litchfield families are provided
  prescriptions, school lunches, clothing and
  school supplies.
• Donations of items are always welcome and pick up
  is available by calling the church office

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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• Helping Other People was established locally in
  June 1999
• HOPE provides short term needs within the
  community with cooked food, deserts, bread and
  muffins that are distributed locally to both
  church and non-church members
• In 2005, 1,185 stuffed animals were distributed
  to needy local children

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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• SERRV International was started in 1949 to help
  refugees recover economically and socially from
  World War II.
• SERRV is committed to integrate development and
  alternative trade in their work with artisans and
  farmers in developing areas of the world
• Our SERRV gift shop offers the beautiful wares of
  international artisans to the local community
  throughout the year
• The SERRV gift shop is staffed and operated by
  volunteers

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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• Rebuilding Together, formerly known as Christmas
  in April, is an annual event that focuses on the
  refurbishment of a local home
• Eligibility is based upon a home owners
  Financial Need
• Its a unique opportunity to help a neighbor no
  special skills required
• On April 29, a home in New Milford was
  re-vitalized by 20 members of our congregation.
  In 2005, a home in Bantam was re-vitalized

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Crop Walk

• An Annual Fundraiser event with 25 of all
  proceeds designated to the Torrington Community
  Soup Kitchen
• This Years Walk-a-thon is scheduled for
  October two weeks after the Fall Festival
• Several area churches also participate

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Community Soup Kitchen

• LFCC is one of the areas primary financial
  contributor to The Torrington Community Soup
  Kitchen
• 25 of the Annual Crop Walk funds are designated
  to the Soup Kitchen
• Our church members have the opportunity to
  volunteer their assistance on the the last
  Saturday of months with 5 Saturdays.

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Child Sponsorship

• We now sponsor 5 children from developing nations
• Patrick from Uganda
• Lupe from Mexico
• Noemae from the Philippines
• Giema from the Philippines
• Jennifer from Mexico

Board of Missions
Litchfield First Congregational Church
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Grateful Thanks
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Grateful Thanks
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Grateful Thanks
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Grateful Thanks