We know that Jesus came to serve the last, the least, the lost, and we consider it our ministry to do so, too. We take our mission work seriously at First Congregational Church, since we know that:

“Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which Christ looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which Christ blesses all the world.”

~St. Teresa of Avila

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Our mission ministry comes in several parts: advocacy, education, and volunteer service. We have several local and global mission partners with whom we work in close relationship, not just writing checks but also, supporting the work of the agency by volunteering and engaging in real relationships with those served. In this work, our lives are changed for the better, and we find that we ourselves are more grateful, spiritually healthy people. To get involved, email us or fill out the interest form below. 

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Serve the Community & Cosmos

Below is an (alphabetical) sampling of organizations we partner with and links to their websites so you can find out more about what they do:

• AlAnon- meets in our Fellowship Hall on Wednesday evenings

• Alyssa's Place- addiction help, peer recovery and resources

• Angel Tree- we collect & donate Christmas presents for children through DCF

• Backpack Project- we collect & distribute school supplies to Gardner students

• Can Tabs- we collect them for the Shriner's Hospitals in Springfield and Boston

• Gardner CAC (Community Action Committee)- food collection; free dinners at our church every Thursday evening from Oct-June

• Gardner Summer Kick-off is held on our lawn- offering our neighbors a fun opportunity to meet area organizations as well as free food, bouncy house, dunk tank, and crafts for the kids

• Gardner National Night Out- an event to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness within our community! Flashlight Walk on Gardner's Bike Path

• Habitat for Humanity- provides safe and affordable housing

• Hope House and Hope Summer Camp of Kids- works directly in the community to provide under served families with a safe place to explore their talents, learn new skills, and succeed

• Mount Wachusett Community College Nursing Student Scholarship

• Operation Christmas Child- collect and pack Christmas "shoeboxes" for children around the world

• Our Father's House- emergency shelter, sober homes, street outreach, food pantry

• Scholarships for College Students

• Trick or Treat for UNICEF- our children collection change during Halloween

• United Church of Christ Special Offerings- including One Great Hour of Sharing, Disaster Response

• Vacation Bible School- (On Hold Due to COVID)

• Warmer Winters- we knit scarfs, mitten, hats and sweaters to neighbors in need

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Serve the Church

• Provide Nursery care to our youngest ones 

• Teach Sunday School from K-8 grades

• Lead a Bible Study, Small Group, Book Club

• Serve as an Usher, Greeter, or Acolyte

• Read (liturgist), sing, dance, act, play an instrument during worship

• Offer the "Children's Message" during worship

• Help manage the big screen during worship and special events

• Bring light refreshments for Coffee Hour after church

• Join a committee - we have a number of service opportunities, most are open to newcomers

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Start a new ministry - we are always open to new ideas for ways we can service the church, the community and the cosmos!

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