Outreach Ministry

The work of the Outreach Committee is based on developing relationships with local, national, and international social service/social justice organizations and supporting them, financially and with our labor when appropriate, in their work to help others survive and prosper. This is in accordance with the Vision Statement of Second Congregational Church of Boxford:

“God has given each individual unique and diverse gifts. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to use these gifts in service of God, ministering to those in need for the benefit of all creation.”

The Outreach Committee works with and supports other church committees to create Outreach opportunities for all the members of our church to share their gifts and to make a difference in the lives of others. We are responsible for:

  • * determining the organizations that the church supports financially through our annual budget allocation;
  • * providing educational opportunities that enable both children and adults to learn about the work of the organizations we support;
  • * encouraging members of the congregation to be involved directly as volunteers;
  • * providing guidance and directions in supporting the United Church of Christ’s benevolent opportunities; and,
  • * offering timely opportunities to aid others to survive and recover from disasters that occur locally, national, and internationally

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LOCAL GIVING
Community Giving Tree - Boxford, MAWindrush Farm - Boxford, MA
Tri-Town Council - Topsfield, MA
REGIONAL GIVING
Bread & Roses - Peabody, MAEsperanza Academy - Peabody, MA
Emmaus House - Haverhill, MAH.A.W.C. - Salem, MA
Haven From Hunger - Peabody, MAMerrimack Housing Partnership - Lowell, MA
Care Dimensions Hospice - Danvers, MALifebridge Northshore -Salem/Beverly/Gloucester, MA
Salvation Army - Haverhill, MASamaritans Ministry - Boston, MA
WORLD WIDE GIVING
Heifer International - Little Rock, AK

 

 

Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants awarded to churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice.

 

The Christmas FundThe Christmas Fund (formerly Veterans of the Cross) provides direct financial assistance to retired and active United Church of Christ authorized ministers and lay employees and their surviving spouses, including pension and health premium supplementation, emergency assistance, and Christmas thank-you checks.

 

Church World ServiceChurch World Service, Blankets and Tools (formerly Blankets+/Tools for Hope) Contributions allows Church World Service to be ready to help families around the world recover from disasters and displacement. What’s more, they’ll be there to help people gain the resources and develop the skills necessary to build – or rebuild – sustainable lives and communities, with tools, seeds and micro-credit loans for members of CWS-supported agricultural co-ops in rural, poverty-prone communities in Haiti.

 

One Great Hour of SharingThe One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) special mission offering of the United Church of Christ involves us in disaster, refugee/immigration, and development ministries throughout the world. When a disaster strikes or people are displaced or made refugees by violence or extreme poverty, we are part of the immediate response and of the long-term recovery. Through OGHS we engage in holistic development programs including health care, education, agriculture, food sustainability, micro-financing, and women’s empowerment.