Mission & Justice Newsletter

September 2025

Ministry Team Spotlight

Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Community Justice Team

by Barb Davis

Given the epidemic of gun violence and suicide sweeping the country, our First Community ministry team has been busy creating a response to this situation. Our faith-based goal is threefold:

  1. Surround those affected by suicide with love
  2. Provide them with a place and community in which they feel safe
  3. Provide information to help reduce the stigma associated with suicide.

 

It may not be seen as an uplifting topic to contemplate, but we believe that providing solid and reliable information will support those impacted by suicide. We hope to showcase that our faith community is committed to walking with others in all moments of their life experiences, including the difficult times. Most importantly, we want to do our part to prevent suicide from happening. Even if we only prevent one suicide, our efforts will have been worth it.

Voices for Hope: Surviving and Thriving the Crisis of Suicide



We will present a series of events beginning in September, which is Suicide Prevention Month. We hope you will join us for the first of these events, Voices for Hope: Surviving and Thriving the Crisis of Suicide. Dr. John Ackerman, a clinical psychologist and the Clinical Manager of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, will be the keynote speaker. He is an engaging speaker, and a widely published, renowned expert in the field. Dr Ackerman’s presentation will be followed by time for questions and answers.

 

Before and after the presentation, participants will be able to visit the resource tables staffed by representatives from 10 organizations focused on gun safety and suicide prevention. These local and national organizations support families who have been impacted by suicide.

 

Voices for Hope: Surviving and Thriving the Crisis of Suicide

Saturday, September 27, 10 am - 12:30 pm

Wing Grace Hall, First Community North


This dynamic and meaningful event is free to the public! Registration opens September 1.
Register Here

Supplemental Suicide Prevention Series


Mark your calendars for October 8, 15, 22, and 29.


A supplemental series of events will occur during The Gathering on Wednesday evenings in October. Each of the four 1-hour programs features experts in suicide prevention in groups documented at increased risk for suicide: youth, people of color, veterans, and the Queer community. Please join Rev. John Girard and the team on Wednesday evenings, October 8 – 29, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm. The Gathering includes a light supper in Wing Grace Hall at FC North. More information regarding these Wednesday evening presentations is forthcoming.


For more information about our ministry teams or these events, please email socialjustice@FCchurch.com

News & Events

First Community Kickoff
  • Sunday, September 7
  • Grace Hall, First Community North
  • Dinner, entertainment and a silent auction


Register by September 2!
Register Here

Heart to Heart's Pet Food Drive
  • Pick up a tote bag this Sunday or next!
  • Fill it with cat or dog food and treats
  • Bring to worship on Sunday, September 14
  • Drop off donations with volunteers waiting outside worship spaces


More info at h2h.fcchurch.com/monthlydrives

Darkness to Light

Tuesday, October 21, 6-8:30 pm

First Community North, Room 102


The safety of the children we serve is our top priority. Staff and volunteers at First Community are required to attend Darkness to Light sexual abuse prevention training.


Questions? Email Rev. John Girard
Register Here

Mission & Justice Monthly Meeting


Next Meeting

  • Tuesday, September 16, 6:30
  • Wing Grace Hall, FC North


Reminder! Bring your your ministry team's mission statement to the September meeting.


For more information on this request, and upcoming meeting agendas, click here..

from Rev. John Girard


Our September guest speakers will be Tami and Dan Langen, from our own Community Justice ministry team. Tami and Dan came to me recently with a desire to start a new justice ministry at First Community, focused on advocacy and action, called a Good Trouble ministry team. Some of you are familiar with the scope and goals of this new ministry idea, which is entirely grounded in, and guided by faith, scripture, clergy, and core beliefs of First Community. Good Trouble work focuses on what we believe and support, not what or who we are against. I hope you’ll join us on September 16 to learn more about this newest justice ministry, and opportunities to get involved.

Schedule Change!

Please note this change to previously published information about upcoming meeting dates.

  • October 21 there will be a Darkness to Light training instead of a regular Mission & Justice meeting
  • November 18 we will meet at 6:30 pm as a group to hear updates from each team

Ministry Updates

Heart to Heart food pantry

• We need donations of fresh produce, soup, snacks, rice, and canned fruits and vegetables!

• The food pantry will be closed for client services September 1 - 5.

• Volunteers are needed on Wed Sep 3 and Thu Sep 4 for cleaning and repair work.

• The Pop-Up Pantry delivered 141 backpacks to Riverside International Center thanks to generous donations from First Community!


Learn More

Visit h2h.FCchurch.com Call 614-488-0681

Instagram @heart_to_heart_food_pantry

Facebook @hearttoheartpantry

Contact Yohan Kim, Food Pantry Manager

Trading Post thrift store

• Summer Blue Tag clothing will go on sale the first 3 weeks of September. For more information about current events and sales, read our monthly email.

• Approximately 30 new shoppers visited the store in July and we saw about 49 shoppers per day.

• In July we earned $12,079 with an average total of $929.15 per day.


1944 West First Ave. Columbus 43212

We are open 10 am to 4 pm on Mon, Wed, Fri and the first Sat of the month.


Learn More

Visit FCchurch.com/tradingpost

Store phone (614) 488-6564 tradingpost@fcchurch.com

Facebook @trivillagetradingpost
 

Refugee Ministry

This team is not currently meeting. Information will be shared as it becomes available!


Visit FCchurch.com/refugee

Email Shirley Barney

Mission Grants

• Individual Emergency Grant Awards:

July $476.14

August $2,531.58 (as of 8/26)

• No new grants were awarded to non-profit organizations in July or August


More info:

Visit FCchurch.com/missions

Email mission@FCchurch.com
 

Monday Night Meals

• Preparing and serving dinner at Friends of the Homeless each Monday evening.

• Weekly teams are looking for volunteers! Get in touch to get involved.


Learn More

Visit FCchurch.com/missions

Email Pat Porterfield

Warm Welcome Knitters

• Join the crew to knit (or crochet) on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at First Community South.

• Reach out if you have a yarn donation!


Learn More

Visit FCchurch.com/missions

Email Priscilla Mead
 

Mat Makers

• Drop off donations of plastic shopping bags at either church location!

• Become a mat maker. Meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month at First Community South.


Learn More

Visit FCchurch.com/missions

Email Joan Talmage

Share & Learn Gardens

• Thank you to the Women’s Guild for a donation allowing us to purchase a new perennial flower garden

• We welcome Mary Bridgman as a new volunteer to our garden!

• As of August 23, we harvested 1,115 pounds of produce for Heart to Heart food pantry


Learn More

Visit FCchurch.com/missions

Email Kate Paulson
 

Gun Violence Prevention

See above for more details:


• September 27 Voices for Hope event

• Suicide Prevention Series coming to The Gathering in October- more info soon!


Learn More

Email

Racial Equity

• This team is part of the Coalition for Racial Reconciliation in Columbus.

• Coalition meets at rotating church locations on the last Saturday of each month, 4 pm -5:30 pm.

• Email to confirm this month's location


Learn More

Email Rev. John Girard
 

Environmental Justice

• Preparing to launch a new recycling initiative at First Community. Stay tuned!


Learn More

Email Mike Collins

Veterans & First Responders

• Meeting on the Third Wednesday of the month, 4 pm FC North, Room 101


Learn More

Email Graham Webb
 

LGBTQIA+ Ministry

• More info about program plans at the September 16 Mission & Justice Meeting.


Learn More

Email Kristyn Anderson

Good Trouble

• Join us as this new team launches at September 16 Mission & Justice Meeting.


Learn More

Email Dan Langen

Email Tami Langen
 

Helpful Links

More about First Community FCchurch.com

Email Subscription

More about Missions

More about Community Justice

Non-Profit Grant Application

First Community Mission & Justice | 1320 Cambridge Blvd | Columbus, OH 43221 US

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