SOUTH
CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH

South Church Outreach Page

Helping to Serve our Communities Local and Beyond

Reaching out beyond our doors is a key part of the work and mission of South Congregational Church. Just a few of the many, varied outreach activities include:

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• Regular hands-on volunteering at Bon Appetit, a soup kitchen in Biddeford

• Supporting the local Habitat for Humanity through direct labor as well as financial gifts

• Collecting clothing, warm items an gift cards to be distributed through Grace Street Ministry, in Portland

• Supporting Caring Unlimited through a team’s participation in Ellie’s Walk as well as financial gifts

• Financial support for a student at a girls’ school in Kenya

• Knitting hats and mittens for students in the local schools

• Providing assistance and a welcome to a refugee family as they settle into the area

• An alternative gift-giving program at Christmas that includes a dozen varied charities

• And so many other organizations and activities, including new opportunities each year

Your participation is encouraged! The Outreach Committee is always eager to find ways for interested people to participate in ongoing activities, or to explore possible new programs that the church could support. Participating in the church’s wide outreach efforts is a meaningful and rewarding part church membership.

We pray for the people of Ukraine, Russia, and all nations — that war and bloodshed can be avoided and a new, just peace can be forged out of this crisis. We ask God grant wisdom to the leaders of nations, calling them to end provocation on all sides and invest instead in “the things that make for peace” as called for in all our faith traditions (Luke 19:41-2).  

The Outreach Committee is taking up a Ukraine Relief collection, monies received will go to 2 relief organizations, UCC and World Central Kitchen described below. If you would like to make a donation, cash(please note on the envelope it is for Ukraine Relief) or a check(made out to South Church, memo line: Ukraine Relief) either may be dropped off at the church lock box or mailed to the church. 

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UCC appeal for Ukraine: support for refugees and for elderly and other vulnerable people who are displaced within Ukraine and unable to leave. As a member of the ACT Alliance, UCC support is being targeted to people most in need through humanitarian relief partners with a history of working in the region. Aid also is being extended through Hungarian Reformed Church Aid, the relief agency of the Reformed Church in Hungary. The UCC’s long-term relationship with the Reformed Church in Hungary is held through the Europe and the Middle East Office of Global Ministries.  Gifts made to UCC Ukraine Relief Fund will provide shelter, food, and other care to war refugees and internally displaced people. It also will help refugees and asylum seekers from African, Middle Eastern and other countries who had sought refugee in Ukraine and now are twice displaced, as well as other citizens of more than 125 countries living in Ukraine.   

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World Central Kitchen:  An organization that focuses on feeding refugees and disaster displaced individuals:  Working at a 24-hour pedestrian border crossing in southern Poland, WCK began serving hot, nourishing meals within hours of the initial invasion and are now set up at eight border crossings across the country. Additionally, we are supporting local restaurants preparing meals in five Ukrainian cities including in Odessa and Lviv. WCK teams are also on the ground in Romania and Moldova, and arriving soon to Slovakia, and Hungary to see how we can best support. As the situation continues to evolve, WCK will continue to help in the best way we know how, with a freshly prepared plate of food—and we're ready to expand our support for families in need.