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Moment for Mission
Christmas Eve Offering
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The Christmas Offering at First Community for 2022 will be split between Friends of the Homeless and Back Bay Mission.
Friends of the Homeless
Matthew 25:35-36 35. 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.
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, a lack of affordable housing and the limited scale of housing assistance programs have contributed to the current housing crisis and homelessness. Recently, foreclosures have also increased the number of people who experience homelessness. Other major factors contributing to homelessness include lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness, and addiction.
Approximately 1.6 million children will experience homelessness over a year. For any given day, researchers estimate that more than 200,000 children have no place to live. As recently as June, homelessness in the U.S. was estimated at between 750,000 and 1,500,000. In Columbus, the count of the nation's homeless shows a continuing increase in families with children with no place to go. From July 1 to Sept. 30, 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—hands-on volunteering for 38 years. This shelter currently houses 150 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 providing food, socks, gloves, toiletries, and multiple other necessities provided through donations for the Christmas Offering. In the past, the Friends of the Homeless helped provide air conditioning, a sheltered outdoor eating area, and replace tables and chairs.
See below for additional information about volunteering.
Back Bay Mission
As a ministry of the United Church of Christ, the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi, draws on a national network of support. It brings a network to bear on poverty and marginalization on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Through the UCC, it draws on supporters who are invested in serving the area's people. Christian values are the basis for a loving, respectful approach to serving the poor and marginalized. It is now celebrating its one-hundredth anniversary on the Gulf Coast and has started a 100-year Capital Campaign to remain relevant for the next 100 years. More information about the campaign is available at https://youtu.be/cjp5Bp-L8RU.
The Mission began in the 1920s and has continuously been active in the community since that time. In 1962, the Mission began hosting integrated activities. In 1963, Mission staff and volunteers were arrested at the final wade-in on Biloxi's beaches. In 1963, the Mission hosted the Annual Ministerial Banquet of the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP. It was subjected to attacks for several months afterward, including a cross burning at the Mission.
First Community Church has had a close relationship with the Back Bay Mission for over 30 years, often sending small groups to work there. Members of this congregation have often supported this Missions, including members of the Board of Directors (currently, Crystal Allen of First Community is the Chairperson). In addition, before the COVID pandemic, the church sponsored annual Shrimp Boils for several years, raising needed funds for its operations.
Donate to the Christmas Offering
The First Community Church has provided various opportunities to donate to this Christmas Offering, which will help support these two missions of our church.
- If donating by check, please indicate on the memo line "Christmas Offering". Send a donation to First Community Church at 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus, Oh 43212
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Donations can also be made online in December. Please choose "Mission Designated Funds" from the drop-down menus, then "Christmas Mission" in the Sub-Fund drop-down.
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If you would like more information about Friends of the Homeless, Back Bay Mission, First Community Church, and its other Mission programs, please email us at mission@fcchurch.com.
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Heart to Heart Updates
by Amy Caskie
| Heart to Heart is no longer accepting applications for Christmas assistance through the Holiday Help program. However, we are still in need of sponsors for about 60 families awaiting sponsors (representing about 139 children). If you or your group are interested in sponsoring one or more families, please contact Kitty Rohrer as soon as possible. We would like to have matches for all families by December 9. More information is available at h2h.fcchurch.com/christmas2022. | |
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All financial contributions to Heart to Heart from November 1 through December 31 will be matched up to $20,000. As of November 28, we have raised $17,950. With the increased demand and cost of food in recent months, the food pantry needs more financial resources than ever. Please know that your doubled donation will be doubly appreciated this year!
For the eighth year running, Jill and Duke Thomas have graciously made this matching pledge to support our mission to respond to God’s commandment to love one another. Heart to Heart began serving the community in 1986 and still exists today thanks to the foundation laid by its task force and early leaders, including Jill. We are eternally grateful for the Thomas family’s ongoing support of our mission.
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Kroger Community Rewards
Help provide for a family in need while shopping for yours!
Enroll your Kroger Plus Card and a portion of your purchases will be donated to the Heart to Heart food pantry. Annual re-enrollment is no longer required. Sign up on their website: Kroger.com/communityrewards
The Organization Number is: TB926
FIRST COMMUNITY CHURCH
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Death Row Ministry
by Tom White
Ten years ago, death row inmate Tony Apanovitch reached out to First Community for help. There were 60 or so men incarcerated with him who had no visitors or pen pals from the outside. We were able to reduce that number greatly, but there is still a significant need. I am writing to ask that each of you prayerfully consider this rewarding ministry.
I know, I know. You’re saying, “Who me? I’m not cut out for something like that. It probably takes a special kind of person to consider that. And it sounds kinda scary!” All of us in this ministry thought those same things at first. Please know that these men are not looking for some minister, rabbi, imam, or psychologist to guide them. What they are craving is just normal conversation. Think of it as going to have coffee with a friend. That’s what our visits are like. As Dr. Richard Wing said ten years ago, “We have a list of men on death row. We need somebody to call on them. Not to convert, not to condemn, just to be a friend. They’re in need of a friendly, everyday voice, and it might be yours.”
Of course, no place is perfectly safe, but I like to tell this story to those new to our ministry: I was in a workshop for inmates at Marion Correctional Institute a few years ago. As I was leaving, one of the correction officers told me to be careful going home. The police in Marion were searching for an armed man who had shot someone and was on the run. I joked with him, saying, “You leave me alone with 75 inmates for an hour, and you are concerned about me going out?” He very seriously told me that I was far safer inside the prison walls than out on the streets of any city.
We have a great group of people currently visiting or writing and would be happy to talk with you about your questions or concerns. Please contact Amy Caskie for more information.
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Update on Tony Apanovitch
from Tom White
As many of you know, Tony had been released, but then taken back into custody on a technicality. You can catch up on his case on YouTube video from the podcast Hell Has an Exit or follow along with the case on Instagram
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Update on Greg Esparza
from Jeff Leister
I am happy to inform you that the court has finally passed down its ruling on Greg's last hearing, over a year and a half ago. His federal attorney's explanation is that this ruling simply retracts the death sentence. The State has the right to appeal the decision, but the attorney believes the case is solid enough that they will not.
So what happens next? The case now goes back to the State for resentencing in Toledo, Ohio. His federal attorney can no longer handle his case, so a State attorney will need to be assigned. While awaiting the resentencing hearing, Greg will likely be moved back to the Lucas County jail in Toledo. It's possible that the new sentence could be of a lesser charge and he could be released with time served.
The court system moves very slowly so I expect it may be months before there is more movement. If Greg is ultimately sentenced to a lesser charge and released based on time served, he will need a lot of help to be introduced to society. There was no internet when he went to prison in 1984! I hope First Community will have the resource to provide some of what he will need. You'll have time to think about what to do with this possibility because it won't happen soon.
In sharing this good news, I would like to add my own thanks to all of you for your support, thoughts, and prayers for Greg over these years.
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Refugee Ministry News
Wilondja Family Update
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by Amy Caskie
Twenty-six years ago, Mateso Wilondja escaped from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He met his wife, Makene, while living in a refugee camp in Tanzania. Since they were married, they have had 8 children, including a set of twin boys. On Friday, October 28, the Wilondja family arrived in Columbus from Tanzania as refugees.
Since their arrival, our Refugee Ministry Team has been working to help them get settled and adjust to life in the States. We are extremely grateful for the donations from First Community, both monetary and material, that have allowed us to welcome this family. On Friday, November 25, with help from the team, the family started moving into their permanent housing in the Indianola Historic District.
The Refugee Ministry Team is working with the family and C.R.I.S. to ensure the family's needs are met every day. Acting as a C.R.I.S. Arrival Team is a new experience for us, and we are learning much along the way. One thing has become apparent: we need more help!
If you’re interested in volunteering with or learning more about the Refugee Ministry Team, please contact the team leader, Shirley Barney at shirley.barney@hotmail.com or 614-425-4687, or visit FCchurch.com/refugee to sign up.
If you're interested in becoming involved with the refugee ministry at First Community to be part of stories like this in the future, please contact the Mission Office.
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Post Notes
News from the Trading Post
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$100,000! To help you picture how much money this is, I’ve referred to Google which says that one could buy a yacht, a champion race horse, a 50-day stay in the Maldives or 40,000 avocados. The reason I’m painting this mental picture for you is that the 2022 Trading Post earnings have just crested the $100,000 mark! (The average item sells for $3.00.) This is a new record for us and we are astonished and ecstatic and hope you are too! Of course, all of the money we raise goes to the mission projects supported by our church.
We have had an extraordinary year as the store becomes more popular with young people and those who think to search on the internet for “Thrift Stores Near Me.” We haven’t even felt the need to spend money on advertising because word-of-mouth and readily-available on-line information have proven so effective. One day last week, we counted 59 shoppers coming to see us between 10 am and 4 pm, which is probably also a new one-day record (32 shoppers per day is our average). We have a huge contingent of regulars (dealers and civilians) who come in 1-2 times a week for a Trading Post boost. 88% of the $100,000 raised is from sales in the shop and the other 12% is from money we have raised by selling items on eBay, consignment, and on-line auction, plus we sell scrap metal and even moth-eaten cashmere sweaters to a crafter. Our last day open in 2022 will be Friday, December 16, so this astounding, already-record-breaking total will continue to grow for another few weeks.
Our sales always have an end-of-year surge once we put Christmas merchandise out on the floor. All year, we have been squirreling away donations of Christmas items. Then in October we started sorting, cleaning, polishing, repairing and affixing price tags to every item so that they are ready to sell in the shop starting November 1. Hallmark stores really have nothing on us once we get everything displayed! This year we counted 106 large plastic tubs of Christmas donations, and more Christmas donations keep coming in every week. So it’s not too late for you to donate Christmas items to the Trading Post because we will continue to sell Christmas merchandise through mid-December. We sell small trees, garlands, stockings, ornaments, jewelry, Christmas books, mugs, Santas, nutcrackers, DVD’s, CD’s, LP’s, ugly Christmas sweaters (and pretty ones), socks, candles, paper napkins, dishes, men’s ties, angels, linens, mangers, strings of lights….you name it. We have raised over $2,100 just from the sale of Christmas items in November.
Donations of Christmas items (or any items) may be dropped off in the Annex Building at South Campus between 10 am to 4 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the first Saturday of each month (the next Saturday being Dec. 3rd). Call us with questions at (614) 488-6564.
P.S. Are you inundated with bags of all kinds? We can always use your clean paper grocery bags, Marc’s-style oil cloth bags with handles, and paper and cloth shopping bags with handles.
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Tandana Foundation
Updates
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Dear Tandana Friend,
Warm greetings and hopes that you are doing well!
I thought that you would enjoy "meeting" and learning about Nusta Pinsag in this recent installment from Tandana's blog. Your generous support is making it possible for her and over 100 other high school students in Ecuador to pursue their dreams--truly. What meaningful impact you are having, and what a tremendous legacy you are creating.
Click here to read the blog.
Richard J. O'Hara
Development Director
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Mat Makers Need Your Help
Donate Plastic Bags
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by Joan Talmage
Giant Eagle and Kroger are working toward eliminating the use of plastic bags in their stores. The Mat Makers are asking you to donate any regular thickness grocery bags you may have so we can keep a supply. Help us crochet and knit sleeping mats for the homeless. There is a hamper for bags in the Rose Wing entrance at FC North and in the coat room at FC South. Thank you for your support!
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Did you miss the last issue of On a Mission! blog? There's a great story from the Trading Post. View it, and all past issues, by clicking the link below. | |
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Did you know Heart to Heart is on social media? Click the buttons below to follow us. We also have a blog! Read the weekly blog posts at h2h.FCchurch.com/blog | | |
Did you know Trading Post is on Facebook? Click the button below to follow us. You can also sign up for the email list for occasional announcements, sales, and events. | |
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