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Minute for Mission
Mexico Mission Trip with Amor
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by Rick Greene
MISSION FINANCE TEAM MEMBER
Over forty years ago, Gayla Cooper felt reluctant to spend even one day ministering to children in a Tijuana orphanage. However, after meeting a group of children from a Mexican facility, Gayla’s heart was touched so deeply that she decided to pack her bags and move to work in Mexico full-time.
Meanwhile, Scott Congdon traveled to the very same orphanage with a community service group from his college. The children had such a profound impact on Scott, that when he returned home, he began collecting food and clothing for the children and later returning to deliver the collected items.
Together, Scott and Gayla soon discovered that they shared the same dream of ministering alongside the poor in Mexico. In March of 1980, Scott and Gayla founded Amor Ministries. That fall, they recruited their first ministry group to participate in a building project at a Tecate orphanage.
Scott and Gayla were married a year later and four more mission teams traveled to Mexico with Amor. Today, the ministry continues to live out the Congdon’s initial calling and builds homes alongside families each day.
Over the years (excluding the Covid pandemic era), FCC has sent many volunteers on 24 Mexico trips which resulted in the completion of 183 homes. The 2024 trip is set for March 19 – 27. The 37 participants (15 adults, 18 youth, and 4 college-age) will build three homes while there.
There are two ways to make donations to help fund this trip.
- Donate directly, which is tax-deductible and all donations go directly to supporting participants and building materials.
- Purchase a Flower-a-Month card for $75, which gets you a bouquet each month from Bloomtastic Florist for a year, and the Mexico Trip receives $25.
Please visit FCchurch.com/mexico for donation links and more information on this mission project.
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Easter Offering
Support for the Future
in Uncertain Times
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by Amy Caskie
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
The Easter Offering this year will be split between one local and one international organization: Little Bottoms Free Store and Healing Art Missions. To support these missions, please give generously in worship on March 31, Easter Sunday. Should you wish to give online, please visit FCchurch.com/giving and use the drop-down menus to indicate your donation is intended for this offering.
Little Bottoms Free Store is operating out of an old church building in Franklinton. The Store provides diapers, wipes, and baby clothes to families in the Central Ohio area for children 0-3 years old. I recently met with their executive director, Heidi Weaver-Smith, who gave me a rundown of their program, and the supplemental educational and community activities they host.
The organization was born in 2019 out of a desire to support the most at-risk infants and families on the Westside of Columbus. They work with organizations like Celebrate ONE to raise awareness about infant mortality and spread the word about safe sleep practices. Their partnership with Columbus Diaper Bank, along with community donations, allowed them to distribute 76,000 diapers in 2022 alone. The organization is run by a community of volunteers overseen by Heidi.
Their home, the West Park United Methodist Church is currently for sale. This leaves the future of their ministry undefined as they seek a new space. We can help by adding to their financial security thus allowing them to pursue purchasing or renting a new space.
First Community has had a long relationship with Healing Art Mission in Haiti. The mission was established in 1999 by Dr. Tracee Laing in response to the need for a medical clinic in rural Dumay. Since then, the work of this non-profit organization has grown beyond healthcare, to support education, provide clean water and increase employment opportunities in the communities they serve.
Rather than arriving in a community with a step-by-step plan of action, they work with the local community to determine their exact needs. Their motto: We are committed to fostering the dignity of the individual and respecting the ways of the community. First Community Missions strives to support organizations, like HAM, that form relationships and work with the community to achieve their goals.
Recently, Haiti has seen increased gang violence, even in these rural areas. As a result, HAM made the difficult decision to indefinitely shut down their whole medical operation. Their focus is now moving to support the school and clean water programs they also operate. We want to show our continued support of the mission in the hopes that they’ll be able to return to the facility and once again provide much-needed medical services.
Please visit the websites above to learn more about these impressive mission organizations. For more information on First Community Missions, please email mission@FCchurch.com.
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Heart to Heart
Monthly Update
by Yohan Kim
HEART TO HEART FOOD PANTRY MANAGER
The short month of February has been one filled with generosity at Heart to Heart, thanks to an assortment of volunteers, donors, and community partners. Our SOUPerbowl Drive at First Community resulted in 412 lbs. of soup, plus $185. We’ve also received donations from Our Lady of Victory, Tri-Village Rotary, CHOP5, Cub Scout Pack 2, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and others. The outpouring of support when called upon during a time of great need has been nothing but spectacular.
As of this writing, our Drive-Thru has seen 442 households, with 108 being new so far in February. That’s an average of 15 new families per day. Our Pop-Up Pantry has also served over 129 households at the sites they deliver to. 15 of those were new. When you think about the reach of our pantry each month, putting the faith of First Community into practice, it is truly astonishing what we accomplish.
Most of all, we are grateful for the positive reaction to the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner & Award Ceremony that we put on at the beginning of the month. It was a night of fun and fellowship, with heavy representation from the Pop-Up Pantry and the Thursday Drive-Thru closers. Despite the hustle and bustle of the pantry, we were able to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our supporters. The cake was great, too.
Let’s continue to celebrate and uplift all those who are making faith a practice that sows spiritual growth through the heartfelt connections that are tended through our work.
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Client Service
Households Served 762:
- Drive-Thru 524
- Pop-Up Pantry 238
- Total New Households 162
Individuals Served 2,523:
- Seniors Served 290
- Adults Served 1,317
- Children Served 916
Meals Served 22,698
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Incoming Materials (lbs)
First Community 3,302
Giant Eagle 2,849
Marc’s 416
Penzey’s Spices 115
Mid-Ohio Foodbank total 21,626:
- Shop Thru weight 12,874
- Order weight 8,752
- Total Cost $2,509.20
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This Month's Donation Drive
by Amy Caskie
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
In 2022, Grandview High School Student Norah Taylor completed the final project to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. She was passionate about the topic of Period Poverty and decided her project would encompass not only a Feminine Hygiene Drive but would also develop educational materials to distribute among various audiences. Norah worked with Heart to Heart on the materials, encouraging discussion and dispelling myths, and created the three handouts below (click the image for a printable PDF.)
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Menstruation is something that half of the population experiences at some time in their lives. Norah's project clearly illustrated what we knew to be true:
- It's not a topic to be avoided in conversation
- It isn't a reason for shame
- Everyone needs to learn about it
As we are called to care for one another, we must understand each other's needs. In the UCC's Witness For Justice Weekly Commentary in May of 2022, author Rev. Stacy L. Thomas asserts:
Period poverty is a justice issue and a "hidden" public health crisis. Because our faith encourages us to care for our bodies as well as our spirits, we are invited to care about this issue.
So, what exactly is period poverty? AMWA (American Medical Writers Association) defines it as "inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, including but not limited to sanitary products, washing facilities, and waste management." Both State and Federal governments contribute to this problem. The Pink Tax refers to a state tax on menstruation products as they are considered "nonessential." As of October 31, 2023, this tax still exists in 21 states. In addition, federal SNAP benefits (aka Food Stamps) do not cover the cost of these items. For someone experiencing poverty, finding feminine hygiene products at a food pantry is a welcome relief.
At Heart to Heart, we are open about our need to distribute period products to our clients. All volunteers working in the drive-thru are expected to be able to offer products to the clients. No one gets to avoid it because "that's girl stuff." I commend Yohan on his efforts to normalize the conversation and encourage others to face their discomfort. In these conversations, when volunteers first realize that SNAP benefits do not extend to period products, I watch their faces as they do the math in their heads and begin to understand the weight of this expense.
We call on you to contribute to our effort to provide these products to our clients. Please bring donations to any worship service on Sunday, March 17. At FC North, you will find the Heart to Heart van in the parking lot, ready to take your donations. Look for the volunteer at the Crane Center or the cart inside the sanctuary doors facing Cambridge Blvd at FC South.
As a reminder, these donation drives are set up during worship monthly to highlight a particular need at the food pantry. Heart to Heart can use feminine hygiene products and other items throughout the year! We still need soup, jelly, and oatmeal, even when that's not the month's theme. Please visit h2h.FCchurch.com/donate for donation instructions, including times, and an online contribution form.
In closing, I invite you to research this topic further. The more you learn about it, the more comfortable you'll feel discussing it and the more passionate you'll be about working to resolve this justice issue. Consider starting with the works I've cited here:
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Refugee Ministry Team
Thank You, First Community Family
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Aren’t these kids adorable in their winter coats? | |
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The First Community Refugee Ministry Team (RMT) rejoices in the wonderful support provided by our First Community Family. You have provided us with winter coats, beds, couches, dining room tables and chairs. Plus, you’ve donated money which allows us to purchase exact needs for the families we support. Our thank yous continue below.
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$4000 emergency funding was given to a local family. A note from the support organization with which we work; (edited):
I wanted to extend an extra "thank you" for First Community's most recent wonderful, very generous, donation to assist a Congolese refugee family who arrived more than a year ago. Beyond the amount, the gesture recognizes that "resettlement" is not something that is completed after 90 days in the US; it is an incredibly long process that is not only different and unique for all families, but it often comes with unexpected challenges arising years after clients first arrive. We are so grateful that you all recognize this and for your willingness to support clients who are still on this long, long journey.
Thank you for being our partner in this service,
Maria Vrcek, PhD (she/her)
Resettlement Program Manager, C.R.I.S.
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A minivan was donated by one of our First Community families. We are making this van workable and safe to give to one of the families we serve. They have 6 members who are of driving age. It’s now a matter of appropriate driver’s licenses and title ownership.
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Washer and Dryer were donated to one of our families. After a little installation issue at the home, these are working quite well for this family of four.
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The portion of the church's Christmas Eve Special Offering to Refugee Ministry Team was over $9,900. This is a humbling amount of support our First Community has provided to this Ministry.
Thank you for your service! Our volunteers have been amazing. Our team is actively supporting multiple families:
The Wilondja Family (arrived October 2022)
We continue job search counseling to adult members to locate employment. We noted that hiring unskilled people has become difficult recently. If you know any company who might be interested, please use the link below to contact our RMT Team Lead.
The Mkangya family (arrived October 2023)
Our ESL team continues to provide weekly coaching sessions in learning the English language.
The Msafari family (arrived November 2023)
Our newest family is learning about US money, grocery stores and transportation.
Donations Needed
- washer & dryer – 1 family
- car(s) – 2 families
Volunteers
Are you interested in supporting families or joining the RMT? Supporting resettling refugee families is extremely rewarding. Note the faces of volunteers below.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating the items needed, please contact Shirley Barney.
In this ministry, we are reminded of Jesus’ call
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
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“Had a nice visit/English practice session with Ekolobe and Nyota this afternoon. I’ve been starting every visit having them tell me their phone number and address - Ekolobe did it without assistance today!”
RMT Volunteer | | |
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by Beth Hanson
TRADING POST VOLUNTEER TEAM LEAD
The Trading Post is off to a great start in 2024. Already we have surpassed what we made last year at this time. Generous donations continue to come in like magic. Word of mouth seems to be our best form of advertising for both donations and new shoppers. Our merchandise runs from the mundane to the fabulous, and because new donations come in daily, our offerings never get stale. We hope you will come in to see all of the fun, beautiful, unique and kooky things we have for sale besides just clothing.
Here are some things we currently have for sale in the shop:
- Golden Girl shot glasses
- St. Patrick’s Day décor (Easter décor coming March 1)
- Native American sterling silver & turquoise jewelry
- Decorative and antique dishware
- Metal collectible signs
- Original watercolor paintings of llamas
- Books and puzzles galore
- Pots and pans
- Antique and collectible dolls (including Barbies)
- Royal Dalton Baccus mug
- OSU items
The shop is located in the basement of the annex building at First Community South. We are 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 in the annex building while the building is open. You may also drop off items in the Donation Station in the church's Coat Room when we are closed.
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Share & Learn Garden
First Meeting of the Season
| Click to view the videos and learn more about the garden! | | |
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Celebrate Deep Griha
Jason Barger to Keynote
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by Randall Rocke
DEEP GRIHA USA BOARD MEMBER
We are pleased to announce that the keynote speaker for this year’s Deep Griha Celebration Dinner, taking place at the First Community North in Columbus, Ohio on March 8, will be Jason Barger.
Jason is a globally celebrated Author / Speaker / Consultant and creator of the Step Back from the Baggage Claim Movement - featured in the New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Kiplinger, Book TV, and many other spots worldwide. His dynamic storytelling and engaging keynote speeches have resonated at global leadership conferences around the world as well as with places like IBM, Kaiser Permanente, Discover Card, Alliance Data, UKG, the Society for Human Resource Management, Nationwide Insurance, Caribou Coffee, Deloitte, Wendy's and many more.
Jason brings with him a unique perspective for the work of Deep Griha Society, as he was fostered in the youth programs of First Community Church, one of several communities that aided in the founding and continued support of Deep Griha’s work and mission.
Eventually, as a member of the First Community staff, Jason led over 1700 people to construct 125 houses internationally for families living in poverty as well as implemented the Streets Mission Project to serve the homeless on the streets of Columbus. As the former Director of First Community Church’s Camp Akita retreat center, he designed leadership programming focused on living with joy, love, compassion, faith, and service for over 1900 campers a summer.
Jason is a graduate of Denison University, where he served as Captain of the men’s basketball team, and also received certification from Georgetown University in Nonprofit Executive Management. In 2004, he was one of five people in Columbus, Ohio to receive a Jefferson Award, a national award given to “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things”. In 2014, he was selected as a “40 Under 40” award winner by Business First. In 2021, Jason was recognized as a “Top 200 Global Thought Leader to follow” by PeopleHum.
ABOUT HIS BOOKS: Jason's books "Thermostat Cultures,” “ReMember,” and “Step Back from the Baggage Claim” have been big hits and celebrated by the global media. Other editions of Step Back from the Baggage Claim include the Business Leader Edition with Howard Behar, former President of Starbucks Coffee; the Healthcare Leader Edition with Dr. Chip Souba, Dean of the Dartmouth Medical School; and with Christian Long, Global Educational Consultant, the Education Edition. Jason’s newest book “Breathing Oxygen: how positive leadership gives life to winning cultures” was released on August 2, 2022 and quickly reached #1 on Amazon as a new release!
We are excited that Jason will be with us! We will also be sharing a video interview with updates from the Deep Griha Director, Ashlesha Onawale. Please consider joining us for the catered dinner at the First Community Church North.
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News from our Mission Partners | | | | |
