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Please Join the Mission Teams
to learn more & get involved this year
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Our first Mission teams meeting of 2024 will be an opportunity for all those interested in learning more or getting involved with Missions. This will take place on Tuesday, January 23 at 6pm in Grace Hall at FC North in place of our typical monthly All Teams meeting.
This invite is for everyone: not just new church members, but those looking to get involved with Missions for the first time, or those interested in a new ministry team.
Our goal is to host a low-pressure, high-energy, information-filled session and to provide folks with opportunities to decide where they fit in best. Snacks will be served!
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Minute for Mission
Deep Griha Society
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by Rick Greene
MISSION FINANCE TEAM
The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15
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In 1975, medical practitioner Dr. Neela Onawale and her husband Bhaskar Onawale started a one-room clinic to treat the residents of Pune’s marginalized community. With the help of likeminded friends, Deep Griha Society (DG) began operations in July that year and, within a further two years, was serving more than 100 people a day. Their daughter, Ashlesha, is currently the director of the Society. | | |
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From treating patients, Dr. Onawale quickly realized that many of the medical conditions affecting the slum community were caused by malnutrition. Since 1975, Deep Griha (meaning "lighthouse") has constantly expanded and adapted its services to empower the disadvantaged community through support and education, giving people the skills and confidence they need to improve their lives.
Over the years, the Society has developed a strong rapport with the community by ensuring that community members have a platform to participate in the initiation and development of programs. This ensures that programs are relevant and valued by the community. Deep Griha’s field workers are present in the community every day to follow up with participants and ensure their opinions and experiences are fed back to the Deep Griha decision makers.
One of its aims is to always ensure that its funds are spent where they are most needed. With this in mind, it have been responsive to the changing needs of the community and to the work with other organizations so Deep Griha does not avoid duplicating services.
Pune is a city in west-central Maharashtra state in western India and is the cultural capital of the Maratha peoples. The city first gained importance as the capital of the Bhonsle Marathas in the 17th century. It was temporarily captured by the Mughals but again served as the official Maratha capital from 1714 until its fall to the British in 1817. It was the seasonal capital of the Bombay Presidency and is now a popular tourist resort, offering cool weather, historic and religious monuments, museums, parks, hotels, and cultural attractions. Pune has long been considered as a major educational and cultural center.
Deep Griha has a history of working with the Tadiwala Road, Ramtekadi, and Bibvewadi communities. Additional information can be located at https://deepgriha.org/.
The Trustees of Deep Griha USA recently shared newsletter information about the activities and the status of key DG programs. In this newsletter, this presented a tribute to the late Sandy Wood—Friend, Mentor, and Visionary, and also a long-time member of First Community with his wife Barbara. Sandy provided the heart and soul of the Deep Griha USA organization. His passion and vision or this community and organization will be ingrained in the organization’s DNA. The Wood family selected Counseling and Agriculture as the initiatives they believe will reflect Sandy’s wishes.
First Community Church has actively supported this organization for several years. Besides promoting fund raisers, the Missions community has provided for the funding for the renovation of the outdoor kitchen and eating area in Tadiwala Road Center. This renovation has upgraded the previous kitchen space which doubles up as a drop-in center senior citizens. This funding helped Deep Griha to have additional space for activities designed around the older members of the community.
In 2007, some members of First Community Church formed Deep Griha USA, a non-profit organization in Columbus (several FC members are current and past Board members). The purposes of the organization are to raise funds for Deep Griha; report to USA donors on the cost effectiveness, sustainability, and transparency of Deep Griha as observed on visits to Pune by our representatives; and respond to Deep Griha requests for assistance.
During its first year, the organization helped raise capital funds of more than $140,000 for schools in Pune. Since that time, other organizations have also supported Deep Griha, including those in Central Ohio such as First Congregational Church, Dublin Community Church, Rotary Club of Upper Arlington, and Rotary Club of Dublin. Other supporting organization include the Medina Rotary Club (Medina, OH), Raleigh Mennonite Church (Raleigh, NC), and United Church of Christ Headquarters, Global Ministries (Cleveland, Ohio).
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Deep Griha USA treasures the continued commitment and the work being done. It continues to be a challenging time and asks that we prayerfully consider that people are able to assist in the work being done to improve the lives of families and children in India. If desired, they ask you to consider your contributions directly through the website: https://deepgrihausa.org/ | | |
If you would like more information about Deep Griha, First Community Church, its other Missions programs, please email us at mission@fcchurch.com. | | |
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Heart to Heart
Monthly Update
by Amy Caskie
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
Thank you to everyone who donated their time, talent, and treasure to Heart to Heart over the past year. Our preliminary numbers indicate your efforts allowed us to serve 24,448 individuals this year (7,038 households). No small feat. Statistics will be finalized in the coming weeks and published in our annual report.
I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Yohan Kim, our food pantry manager. His leadership is evident in the daily operations of the food pantry, which has never run more smoothly. If you happen to see him in the coming weeks, please thank him for his service to our church and the community.
Below I share some updates from the end of the year, including our many successful holiday efforts, and important dates for the upcoming year. In 2024, I look forward to another successful year in service to our neighbors.
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Click image for a complete listing of holiday closures for Heart to Heart food pantry in 2024. | |
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Mark your calendars for our annual dinner to celebrate our volunteers and show appreciation for all their hard work. We have added some fun elements to the event this year!
We will meet in the evening on Tuesday, February 6 in Grace Hall at FC North. Please be on the lookout for more information as we continue to make plans.
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End of Year Matching Grant | |
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The Thomas family has generously offered a donation match to the Heart to Heart food pantry for the last ten years. Family matriarch, Jill Staples Thomas, was the first official director of our food pantry and her dedication to the mission continued long after her departure. This year the match was made in her loving memory, after her passing in August.
Originally, the Thomas family pledged a match of up to $20,000 for all donations made to Heart to Heart between November 1 and the end of the year. Then on Friday, December 15, Duke Thomas (Jill's husband) called to let us know he was increasing the pledged match to $30,000!
Donors met the call in no time, and as of December 29, we had raised $35,530, far exceeding our goal. We are beyond grateful for the donation from Duke and family, which funds about half of our budget each year! We also extend our thanks to all who made donations to Heart to Heart during the matching grant period.
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Jill Staples Thomas
Feb 14, 1941 - Aug 4, 2023
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Each year since its inception, the Pop-Up Pantry (PUP) has worked with their Southpoint site to organize a drive to collect and distribute Christmas gifts to the children living there. This was the fourth year of the drive with 27 families, 82 children, and 145 gifts. All of the Wish List gifts were fulfilled with a week to spare! | |
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As PUP volunteer, Janice Rook, said "The generosity of our donors, especially Wickliffe School, and their desire to help children in need is such a wonderful blessing. One of the things that makes the toy and gift drive special is our passion to make each one better than the one before."
Thank you to the Pop-Up Pantry volunteers for once again going above and beyond the call of duty to support our neighbors in need.
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Thank you to everyone that donated gift cards to our Holiday Help program this year. At the last minute, we received a $3,000 donation in gift cards from an anonymous donor, and a $5,000 grant from the Foundation that enabled us to buy the last of the gift cards needed. In total, we distributed $18,420 in gift cards through the Holiday Help Program. Including those families supported through the FC Youth Ministry's adopt-a-family program, we supported 120 families this year. | |
2023 First Community Collection Results | |
Click image to download/view PDF. Hard copies available at both church locations. | |
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Due to the success of this year's drives during worship, as seen above, we have planned to continue this model for the new year.
While we have a theme highlighted each month, this year we wish
to emphasize that this is simply a suggestion or idea. We need food and
personal care items throughout the year and collect them at FC South whenever the church is open. Please click the image and mark your calendar for our drives this year! Our first collection during worship services is in just two
weeks on January 14. We will be collecting hair care products.
We are very grateful for our Sunday Drive volunteer team that makes this possible! January through October, Becky has picked up the H2H van
and collected donations at both FC North worship services, while Susan Jagers works the 10am service at FC South.
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Mission Workday December 29
Amy Caskie spent Friday with a dozen volunteers working to improve spaces occupied by the Missions Department at FC South. Thanks to their hard work, we were able to transform the former bookstore into a space for Heart to Heart. We also began a room transformation in the annex building for use by the Trading Post. Thank you so much to all who volunteered.
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Click the image to access the FC online store, which includes Heart to Heart branded items. | |
New Year, New You
Consider making a resolution to serve in 2024! Volunteer at the food pantry is fun and uniquely rewarding. Click the image to view the many possible ways you can volunteer at the Heart to Heart food pantry in the new year.
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Refugee Ministry Team
Monthly Update
by Shirley Barney
REFUGEE MINISTRY TEAM LEAD
The Refugee Ministry Team (RMT) had a very productive year, and we appreciate our volunteers for all their hard work. Without this team, we could not effectively support these families. Thank you to the RMT volunteers and for everything you do to support these wonderful families!
Update
- We have established weekly schedules to take the families grocery shopping and for ESL (English Second Language) lessons.
- Trudy Krisher created a grocery list that translates grocery items in English and Swahili.
Donations Needed:
- The Mkangya family needs a washer and dryer.
Help wanted:
- Are you interested in supporting families or joining the RMT? Supporting resettling refugee families is extremely rewarding.
- Monthly meeting second Wednesday of the month at 5 pm at FC North in meeting room 101
If you are interested in volunteering or donating the items needed, please contact Shirley Barney.
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2023 Year in Review
The Refugee Ministry Team helped resettle at least 4 families (24 people):
- Family of 10 from Tanzania refugee camp
- Family of 6 from Congo
- Family of 4 from Tanzania refugee camp
- Family of 4 from Syria
Provided financial or general support:
- Syrian family – helped purchase AC unit for daughter with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Provided $3500 to purchase food gift cards for various families from CRIS (Community Refugee & Immigration Services)
- Donated $7000 to purchase Welcome Kits (household items, hygiene items, etc.) for families arriving
- Donated $1000 emergency fund for Haitian immigrants in Central Ohio
- Providing furniture for Guatemalan and Haitian families
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by Beth Hanson
TRADING POST VOLUNTEER TEAM LEAD
The Trading Post is excited to report that once again, we have broken previous records for money raised for Missions. As you can see from the chart below, we have continued to grow in popularity as word has gotten out about our charming shop, friendly staff, high quality merchandise, and unbeatable bargains. In fact, if you Google “Thrift Shops Near Me”, our shop pops up first in line with the only 5-star rating! How about that!
Our earnings are still being counted, but I do know that we will go over $125,000, which is more than double what the Mission Council Gigantic Garage Sale used to make (may she rest in peace). The majority of this money was raised in the shop, of course, but a portion was also raised from outside sources such as eBay sales, sale of items on consignment, and cash donations.
Here are some more interesting estimated statistics from 2023 that will give you a picture of how much we have grown in the last year:
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*We started out with 100 large plastic tubs of Christmas donations, plus trees and wreaths, and very little was left over by the time we closed on Dec. 15.
Our top selling types of merchandise this year, in order of greatest volume sold, were:
1) women’s clothing
2) décor (artwork, vases, knick knacks, candles, etc.)
3) men’s clothing
4) household (pans, kitchen gizmos, dishes, mugs, etc.)
5) jewelry
6) entertainment (books, CD’s, DVD’s, LP’s)
In 2023, Trading Post earnings provided financial assistance for:
We also gave clothing to:
We are located in the basement of the Annex Building at South Campus. The store is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to 4 pm. Donations (for any season) may be dropped off on the first floor of the Annex Building on the days we are open. Please come check us out! We know you will be amazed and will want to come back to shop time and time again.
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Mission Finance Team
2023 Report
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by Amy Caskie
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
The newly-formed Mission Finance Team this year was made up by a small group of volunteers dedicated to our church's mission work: Joy Converse, Rick Greene, Sara Haag, Deb Humphrey, and Kitty Rohrer. Thankfully, they have graciously agreed to continue their work on the team in 2024.
Below is a summary of the grants awarded in 2023, but I want to emphasize that so much other work was accomplished this year. We spent the first part of the year restructuring from the former Mission Council to decide how we would handle grants and other financial concerns. Great progress was made and we should all be grateful to this small group!
Grants Summary:
Pride $2269
This request was granted to support First Community's efforts in the LGBTQ+ community. Specifically, it allowed the church to participate in the annual Stonewall Columbus Pride and Upper Arlington Pride events.
Habitat for Humanity $7,500
This grant will assist in funding the current new build for the Northwest Partnership of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio. The Northwest Partnership is made up of several large Columbus-area churches. First Community has several regular volunteers dedicated to service through this organization.
Tandana Foundation $20,000
This grant was used to expand 10 ponds in Mali to assist with water conversation efforts. This gives the villagers access to more water during the dry season, allowing them to care for their livestock and grow more produce. Thus, it promotes food security in the short and long term.
Marafiki Global AIDS Ministry $5,000
These funds were used by Rafiki for repair and upkeep of the new chapel on their campus.
Healing Arts Mission $10,000
These funds went toward supporting the Mobile Medical Team that is serving children in the southern Haiti community. In 2022, HAM had to abandon their well established clinic in Dumay due to escalating gang violence. This mobile unit enables them to continue serving the area youth's medical needs.
Emergency Grants $39,797
These small grants are given to support to various individuals in need in our immediate community. Guidelines for this newer program were established by the team in early 2023. The grants are used for rent, utilities, transportation costs, etc. for Columbus-area residents struggling to make ends meet.
Mexico Mission Trip $10,000
This grant will help fund the FC Youth Ministry's trip to Mexico with AMOR Ministries this spring. The additional funding helps the team offset costs and lower participation fees, thus enabling more people to participate. This is the 25th year the youth will build houses for those in rural Mexico.
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Monday Night Meals
Recognized by Southeast, Inc.
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by Amy Caskie
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
On November 20, Southeast, Inc. surprised the First Community volunteers serving dinner with an award in recognition of 40 years of committed service to Friends of the Homeless (photo bottom right). The following week, the remaining regular weekly team leaders were able to gather, along with some FOH volunteers and our own Carol Baker (photo bottom left). Until last year, Carol Baker led the volunteer effort, coordinating not only regular meals with her own team, but volunteer recruitment and sign-up efforts.
The letter accompanying the award reads:
Your initiative and commitment to our overall program is greatly appreciated, and we are so very thankful for your many contributions and we hope to continue our partnership.
We at First Community are so proud of the volunteers committed to this project and thankful for their service to the community.
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Award and accompanying letter | |
Front Row: Ellen Crouthamel, Pat Porterfield, Carol Baker, Mathias Kendricks (Southeast), Lisa Reynolds, Cat Oehl
Back Row: ?,?,?, Bruce Crouthamel
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Front Row: Barbara Waters, ?, Meredith Trapp, Kellie Ali, Amy Barger, Mathias Kendricks (Southeast), Dody Parsons, Sue Dunlap Potts
Back Row: Jim Trapp, Dave Parsons, Benton Barger
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Christmas Eve Special Offering | | | |
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Thank you to everyone who donated online or in worship on Christmas Eve. Your contributions to the special offering totaled about $18,000 to be split between two very deserving missions. | | |
Special Skill Volunteers Needed | |
Did you miss the last issue of On a Mission!? View it, and all past issues, by clicking the link below. | |
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Did you know Heart to Heart is on social media? Click the buttons below to follow us. We also have a blog! Read the weekly blog posts at h2h.FCchurch.com/blog | |
Did you know Trading Post is on Facebook? Click the button below to follow us. You can also sign up for the email list for occasional announcements, sales, and events. | |
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News from our Mission Partners | | | | |
