Outreach: Service and Missions

CCA members participate in the Crop Walk

 

Church World Service

Church World Service works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. Together we reach out to neighbors in need near and far–not with a hand out, but a hand up.  Groups we support range from those who work in flooded areas of southeast Asia to Camp Allen in Bedford, NH, and the annual Souhegan Valley CROP walk.

Around the world, Church World Service supports sustainable grassroots development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance, and we educate and advocate on hunger-related issues. In the U.S., we help communities respond to disasters, resettle refugees, promote fair national and international policies, and provide educational resources.

So, if you’re looking to help build a better world—a world where there’s enough for all—you’ve come to the right place!  We invite you to join our network of local and global caring through participation in CROP Hunger Walks, the Blankets+ program, and the CWS Kits program.

One Great Hour of Sharing

The theme for One Great Hour of Sharing continues last year’s theme, “Sharing Brings Joy,” but adds the focus of bringing joy “to Others.”

Our first thoughts about how our gifts bring joy to others most likely focus on the tangible results of our sharing:

  • a family displaced by natural disaster or political unrest is grateful to receive food, shelter, and the comfort of a safe place to begin to rebuild their lives;
  • anyone who had to walk miles to get water for their family, smiles as a well is dug in their community, bringing clean water within reach;
  • a farmer whose harvest succumbed to the storms, is thankful when offered food, water, and new seed, helping her to make it through to the next harvest.

Of course, when we “sow bountifully” by giving to others, we reap bountifully by sharing in the joy that our gifts bring to those whose basic needs are met.

But in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he reminds us of another way our giving brings joy to others. In encouraging the Corinthian church to give to the collection for the believers in Jerusalem, he reminds them that when the Jewish believers receive gifts from their non-Jewish sisters and brothers, they will be moved by the gifts themselves, and by the unity in Christ the gifts represent.

Knowing there are those who would share willingly with them, the most needy are reminded of who they are: beloved children of the Creator, each one a person of sacred worth.

Across social and economic lines that could separate us, followers of Christ are called to reach out and support one another. Our awareness and recognition of others in need allows us to acknowledge our own abundance as a gift from God, one we are called to share.

These are stressful times— economically, emotionally and spiritually. This year, as you make your offering to One Great Hour of Sharing, remember that your gift offers not ”only” joy but also hope. Sow bountifully and share abundantly, knowing that you are not only helping change the statistics, you are helping change lives.

Beginning March 18, we will be invited to help people in need around the world and in communities impacted by disasters in the United States through the One Great Hour of Sharing® (OGHS) offering.
Please give generously!

Congregational Care

CONSIDER YOURSELF “FRIENDED:” At this point, everyone is either on Facebook or knows people who are!  Who knew that “friending” would become a verb???
The Congregational Care Team may not be on Facebook as a group, but we like the idea of accepting friends, new and old, and learning from each other by sharing thoughts and ideas.  This can be done by contacting a member of our team to let us know what ways you would like to be involved. We look forward to hearing from you.  Team members are Sara Phelps, coordinator, Cynthia and Charlie Glover, Jane and Keith Hunt, Carol Lyon, Jean Tonnesen, Chris and Vern Trudo, Pastor Dick and Pastor Carol.

Woman’s Association

The Woman’s Association has been a central part of the life of The Congregational Church of Amherst for many years. Our purpose is “to cultivate the spirit of Christ beginning with our own lives and reaching out into the home, community and throughout the world.” We devote our time and energy to support the mission of the church.

Prayer Shawl Knitters

This ministry at CCA began in 2003. In that time we have constructed, prayed over, blessed and delivered more than 90 shawls to church members, friends and family. The recipients we have chosen are, or were, dealing with various life situations where knowing that their church family was keeping them in prayer was a comfort to them.

We try to meet once a month, on the fourth Tuesday, at 1:00 pm.

Youth groups

One way or another, most of the groups at CCA are involved in outreach. For the Middle High Youth Group, work with the Food Bank has been a regular part of their program. The Senior High Youth Group hosts an Annual Spaghetti Supper and Variety Show; funds from the show support a spring Mission Trip, which has put CCA kids to work in a broad range of venues, from housing programs in Mississippi to health programs in several inner cities.