Rick Greene

MISSION FINANCE TEAM

Homelessness

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:35-36 35.

Homelessness in the U.S. has been estimated at between 750,000 and 1,500,000. In Columbus, the count of the nation’s homeless shows a continuing increase in the number of families with children who have no place to go. Recently, the city’s shelter system hit its highest-ever occupancy rate for families. At the same time, barely a third of families who left shelters achieved a “successful housing outcome,” an all-time low.



First Community Church became involved with Friends of the Homeless men's shelter in the Fall of 1983 by providing a hot meal to this East Main Street shelter every Monday evening throughout the year—that’s hands-on volunteering for 40 years. This shelter currently houses 125 men and the Monday Meals volunteers have continued to provide meals throughout the pandemic. 

Our church involvement has extended beyond Monday Meals with our volunteers continuously provide not only food, but socks, gloves, toiletries, and multiple other necessities provided through donations. In the past, we have helped the Friends of the Homeless provide air conditioning, a sheltered outdoor eating area, as well as replacing tables and chairs. 

The shelter has a staff member who organizes activities, including job preparation, counseling, and program participation for clients.

Volunteering

“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in the world all of your own.” Albert Schweitzer

For every Monday, every month, every year since 1983, First Community has prepared and delivered meals for 125 men in a homeless shelter on East Main Street in Columbus. The FC team leaders estimate that our volunteers have prepared almost 7,200 meals in the past year. In addition, the Church either serves the clients themselves or deliver the food and the men serve themselves. This has been coordinated for most of this time by Carol Baker with her late husband John.

Volunteers have also provided such necessary supplies to the shelter as a vacuum cleaner, refrigerator, and linens. Besides providing evening meals, one team has sometimes provided breakfast cereals and milk.

Additional volunteers are needed to successfully continue this mission! The Missions teams hope that this mission does not go by the wayside. More volunteers are needed and encouraged. Other organizations, such as civic groups and churches, have recently discontinued their participation after serving for years. When no one provides the evening meals for the clients, the men do not eat that night.

Currently, Pat Porterfield is coordinating the overall program at First Community with various volunteer leaders for each week that serves. These leaders need a pool of volunteers to operate this program. The schedule currently is:

• First Week: Lisa Reynolds
• Second Week: Cat Oehl
• Third Week: Pat Porterfield
• Fourth Week: Ellen Crouthamel
• Fifth Week: Jason Barger

At this time, additional individuals and families are needed, particularly for the volunteer pool for the first, second, and fourth Mondays. Anyone can volunteer, both FC members and nonmembers. Families or individuals can volunteer to work with team leaders (see below). Teenagers are encouraged to participate, as well.

On a personal note, I have volunteered for this occasionally and have found that volunteering helps me to connect people to others, is good for my mind and body, and brings fun and fulfillment. In addition, I have made new friends at the Church through this opportunity.

Again, if interested in volunteering, even on an occasional basis, you are always welcome. For additional information on volunteering for the Monday Meals or to make a donation to Friends of the Homeless, please contact Pat Porterfield at More information is available online at FCchurch.com/monday-night-meals.

If you would like more additional information about volunteering at First Community Church and its other Mission programs, please email us at [email protected]

Shirley Barney

REFUGEE MINISTRY TEAM

For the love of Jill

Ten Year Anniversary of Giving

Amy Caskie

DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS

On August 4, Jill Staples Thomas passed away, leaving a legacy of laughter, love, and service. This legacy is apparent in the stories recounted by anyone who knew her, in the lives of her children and grandchildren, and through her connection to Heart to Heart food pantry.

On Heart to Heart food pantry’s webpage, we share a very abbreviated history of the food pantry’s origins:

In 1986, a group of First Community Church members gathered to develop a congregation-wide mission project to put their faith into action. As a result, Project Adelphos was established connecting volunteers with needs in the community. The name was changed to Heart to Heart to better reflect the goal of uniting individuals one-on-one. Through the commitment and passion of FCC members, volunteers, and the local community, Heart to Heart has grown from a congregational mission to a valuable community resource.

What this short snippet leaves out is that Jill Thomas was not only the reason for the name change, but she served as first official director of Heart to Heart. She had a pivotal role in our development and continued to support Heart to Heart throughout her life. From 2015 through 2022, this included offering a grant to match $20,000 in giving to the food pantry at the end of each year.

Jill’s beloved husband of 59 years, Duke Thomas, has chosen to continue this tradition in her honor and memory. Donations made to Heart to Heart beginning November 1 will once again be matched up to $20,000 through December 31.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to Heart to Heart, which will be matched through this gift, please visit h2h.FCchurch.com/donate by December 31. There will also be a special offering taken during all worship services on November 5.

Monthly Update

Monthly Mission Meeting

for All Ministry Teams

Everyone interested or currently volunteering with a Mission Ministry Team is invited to attend this monthly meeting. During the meeting, we have discussion time and announcements from all teams. Afterward, the teams break into groups to have their discussions.

If you're interested in working with a ministry team, this is an excellent opportunity to learn more about their activities from the leadership on that team. As many teams also have individual meetings with their leadership each month, this is also an opportunity for those working with the ministry to discuss face-to-face with the leadership to raise concerns or get more information.

Our Core Missions with these breakout sessions are Heart to Heart food pantry, Tri-Village Trading Post thrift store, and the Refugee Ministry Team. The Mission Finance Team also meets at this time to discuss grants and mission-related projects.

During our September meeting, the large group heard a short presentation from the Refugee Ministry Team. Afterward, the Mission Finance Team awarded two grants: Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio (Northwest Partnership) and Healing Arts Mission. They also voted for this year's Christmas Offering to be split between our own Refugee Ministry Team and Friends of the Homeless.

For more information on each team, please contact:

• Mission Finance Team - Joy Converse
• Refugee Ministry Team - Shirley Barney
• Trading Post- Beth Hanson
• Heart to Heart - Yohan Kim

The groups typically meet at First Community North on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 pm with a few exceptions. Below is a schedule of upcoming meeting days, locations, and topics:

You are welcome to join the meeting in person or on Zoom. If you would like a link to join virtually or if you have general questions about Missions, please contact the Mission Office.