Serving Others
Jesus taught that the greatest person in God’s kingdom is the servant of all. The Board of Christian Outreach sponsors a wide range of service opportunities ranging from local to global mission. Whether you have an hour to spare a week or one day a year, serving others is a transformational experience. Know the joy of service, contact Rev. Barb Smisek at 476-7565 ext 219.
United Church of Christ Programs
Food To The Hungry
Outreach Through Education
Outreach Through Health Support
General Support to Lincoln
Outreach to Lincoln Youth
International Support (Mission)
Board of Christian Outreach Sub-Committees
Special Projects 2009/2010
Stephen Ministry
A nationwide, multi-denominational program that teaches care giving skills to Christian laypeople. It is a one-on-one ministry designed to help people through difficult times in their lives. Contact Rev. Barb Smisek.
Loaves and Fishes
First-Plymouth offers meals to church members during difficult times when they are in need. To learn more about this program or to volunteer to provide or deliver meals, call Rev. Nancy Erickson at 476-7565 ext. 244 or email nancy@firstplymouth.org.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Call Connie Merchant at 476-7565 ext. 200 or connie@firstplymouth.org to find out how you can volunteer at First-Plymouth! Opportunities available from TV Volunteers, Ushers, Greeters, Reception desk phone volunteers, Grounds and Garden, Church School leaders, Childcare providers, office volunteers and more.
Board of Christian Outreach
First-Plymouth provides financial and/or volunteer support to both local, national and international outreach programs. If you are interested in volunteering for the Board of Christian Outreach or any of the programs listed below, please contact Rev. Barb Smisek at 476-7565 or barbara@firstplymouth.org.
Mission Statement: The Board of Christian Outreach provides service opportunities to First-Plymouth members and friends through education, experience, and support to local, national, and global missions which reach out and minister to all people; the lonely, oppressed, afraid, sick, hungry, and homeless, by seeking to emulate Christ's work in the world.
United Church of Christ Programs
Kamp Kaleo
Kamp Kaleo is sponsored by the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ. It is located on the North Loup River near Burwell, Nebraska, about 3 1/2 hours from Lincoln. The camp offers hiking, swimming, tubing, canoeing, games, crafts, singing, Bible study, quiet meditation, and campfires. It is a great place to escape the city and become closer with nature and with God. First-Plymouth provides financial support as well as participates in the Companion Camp, Junk Jaunt (fundraiser) and holds a Family Camp there every year. Www.kampkaleo.com
Doane College
First-Plymouth helps support the chaplaincy program at Doane in Crete, Nebraska. The chaplaincy program addresses "the culture of the heart," drawing students and other members of the community into dialogue with the following goals: 1) promote awareness of religious life on campus, 2) provide support and encouragement to religious groups and traditions 3) offer opportunities for multi-faith experiences. www.doane.edu
Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM)
OCWM is the United Church of Christ's wider mission ministry. Funds are allocated to the following five areas: Wider Church Ministries, Local Church Ministries, Justice and Witness Ministries, Office of General Ministries, Pension Boards, and Executive Council. First-Plymouth's annual contribution to OCWM goes directly to the Nebraska Conference where 75% stays in Nebraska and 25% goes to the national office.
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)
An annual special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God's message of love and hope to people in more than eighty countries. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response. www.ucc.org
Neighbors In Need (NIN)
A special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion thoughout 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. www.ucc.org
Food To The Hungry
First-Plymouth Food Drives
Four times a year the church sponsors food drives, three for the Lincoln Food Bank and one for the Center For People In Need.
Gathering Place
The Gathering Place, located on 1448 E Street, provides a free hot meal Monday through Friday between 5 -6 pm. In addition to monetary support, volunteers from First-Plymouth serve meals every month. www.lincoln-action.org
Kids Building Bridges Against Hunger (Nourish the Children)
International program that monthly provides VitaMeal bags of food to children all over the world. www.nourishthechildren.com
Outreach Through Education
Dimensions
First-Plymouth's early education program provides a hands-on, experiential approach to learning. It is open to children of all denominations and faiths.
Seminary Support
Every year First-Plymouth contributes to the following United Church of Christ seminaries: Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois; United Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota; Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri; and Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California.
Lincoln Literacy
The mission of the Lincoln Literacy Council is to assist people of all cultures and strengthen the community by teaching English language and literacy skills. Tutors and students meet at First-Plymouth Monday mornings September through May. Volunteers assist more than 700 people every year. www.lincolnliteracy.org.
Outreach Through Health Support
Clinic With A Heart
A faith-inspired organization designed to serve the uninsured and underinsured through a ministry of healthcare. First-Plymouth volunteers help provide free health services for children and their families the first Thursday of the month (Sept. thru May) at McPhee Elementary School. www.clinicwithaheart.org.
General Support to Lincoln
Friendship Home
An affiliate of United Way that provides housing and programming for women and children experiencing domestic violence. In addition to monetary support, First-Plymouth sponsors various drives for supplies, shoes and gifts.
Giving Trees
In July and December, First-Plymouth solicits the needs of several outreach programs in the community, writes the needs on a tag and hangs them on a Giving Tree. Each year parishioners help provide for the needs of over 300 people.
Habitat For Humanity
A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that builds simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need. Each year First-Plymouth provides monetary and volunteer support for a family in Lincoln.
House for New Life
Re-entry housing and life-skills program for released prisoners.
Interfaith Housing Coalition
The Interfaith Housing Coalition is a non-profit group that owns the historic President and Ambassador apartments west of the Capitol in downtown Lincoln. The group includes representatives from First-Plymouth, St. Paul's United Methodist, and Unitarian churches in Lincoln as well as members-at-large. The apartments were rehabilitated in the late 1980's using several government programs that assures that rents will remain affordable for persons with low-incomes. The Board oversees the operations of the units and a tenant services coordinator who helps to ensure that residents have supportive services and assistance as needed. Church members help with annual clean-ups and fundraising to support tenants and ongoing improvements to the properties.
Neighborhood Block Party
A
nnual block party held on 20th & D street for members of the First-Plymouth neighborhood. Festivities include free food, games, entertainment, music, dancing and the like.
Paint-A-Thon
A community based volunteer program that paints homes of qualified low-income elderly and low-income permanently disabled homeowners, in Lincoln, so that they may maintain their property, increase energy efficiency and beautify the community. Every August First-Plymouth participates with a team of scrapers and painters.
People's City Mission (PCM)
A vital ministry in Lincoln since 1907, the PCM demonstrates the love of Jesus by providing food, shelter and clothing to the homeless.
Outreach to Lincoln Youth
Bright Lights
A non-profit, summer enrichment program for children in Lincoln.
Lighthouse
A non-profit, after-school program for youth in grades 6-12. Every year First-Plymouth sponsors drives for school supplies and presents at Christmas. The Outreach Board also prepares and serves a Thanksgiving dinner and summer barbeque.
Lincoln Ed. Outreach
This is a vocational training program for at-risk youth sponsored by Lincoln Action Program.
Lincoln Food Bank BackPack Program
School-based program to provide a weekly backpack of nutritious food to children of low-income families. First-Plymouth currently purchases, packs and delivers backpacks for 80 children.
TeamMates
A one-on-one, school-based mentoring proram for at-risk youth. First-Plymouth annually recruits new TeamMates during January, National Mentoring Month. Members of First-Plymouth are currently mentoring approximately 40 youth.
International Support (Mission)
Ghana Partnership
Since 1993 the Nebraska Conference of the United Church of Christ has shared a special partnership with the Evangelical-Presbyterian Church, in Ghana, West Africa. In addition to sending mission groups to Ghana, each year First-Plymouth holds a special Ghana Sunday which includes drumming, dancing, fundraising and highlighting specific projects the church has contributed. Over the past 20 years the church as help build a medical clinic, nurses quarters and library. We have also provided books, medical supplies, and dug a well. www.uccnebraska.org
Honduras
A seven-day mission trip to Central America, arranged through Hearts to Honduras (a United States based Christian ministry in Central America) and co-sponsored with Southwood Lutheran. Mission work includes construction projects and medical, dental and optical services. www.hth.org
Refugee Resettlement
First-Plymouth, in conjunction with Lutheran Family Services, sponsors refugee families helping with housing, food and hospitality. Past refugee families have come from Iran, Burma, and Bosnia.
Board of Christian Outreach Sub-Committees
Peace and Justice Team
This team works to engage the congregation and community in dialogue and action on a variety of important issues surrounding peace and justice. Much of their work involves educating and creating awareness on the local church and conference level.
Environmental Committee
Go Green! This committee continues to lead First-Plymouth towards a “greener” life. Projects undertaken include weekly cup washing after worship, Ride Your Bike to Church Sunday, highway pickup, and all-church cleanups in the spring and fall. The committee also hosts a series of classes on such topics as rain gardens, composting, carbon footprints, rain barrels, and community gardening.
Special Projects 2009/2010
Each year various groups within the church raise funds or donate time to organizations around the community. These acts go above and beyond our budgeted annual giving to charitable organizations. Each year the recipient organizations are subject to change.
Matt Talbot Kitchen
The Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach was established in 1992. It is a faith-based organization which provides assistance in the form of prepared meals and outreach. Matt Talbot provides outreach and advocacy in various forms such as educational opportunities, varied medical services, housing assistance, and crisis assistance. First-Plymouth has been involved with Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach for many years. The youth serve meals once a month and funds from the Diaconate Fund are donated to help with such needs as utility payments, rent assistance, and gas vouchers. In March of 2010 Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach awarded First-Plymouth its Compassion in Action, Collaboration Award.
Fresh Start Home
Founded in 1992, Fresh Start is a transitional living facility for women. The women who come to Fresh Start are facing many obstacles such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and economic hardship. Fresh Start provides support and resources to help these women develop and achieve their goals. The First-Plymouth Choir’s 2010 performance of Cabaret was held to benefit Fresh Start and Voices of Hope.
Voices of Hope
Starting in 1974 The Lincoln Coalition against Rape began providing support to victims of sexual assault. Over the years it has evolved to Voices of Hope. Services provided include support to victims and families of sexual assault, domestic violence, and incest. The mission of Voices of Hope is to educate the community on awareness and prevention of these crimes. Voices of Hope received assistance as a result of funds raised by the First-Plymouth choir’s 2010 performance of Cabaret.
Center for People in Need
The Center for People in Need’s mission is to give families and individuals support and opportunities to help them out of poverty. One of the projects the center focuses on is Nebraska Truckloads of Help. This program brings items donated to a central location in which non-profit groups around Nebraska can collect for their clients at no charge. These items range from household and personal care items to clothing. The First-Plymouth youth volunteer their time once a month to help with distrabutions. In 2009 First-Plymouth provided Thanksgiving dinner for over 800 families.
Student/Parent Program
The Lincoln Public Schools Student/Parent Program is designed to assist pregnant and/or parenting youth to gain independence and self-sufficiency. The program’s major focuses are education, health, and guidance. Through support from the community and Lincoln Public Schools staff students develop a plan to meet their needs. First-Plymouth Church provides support to the Mother and Child Learning Center at Lincoln High. Funds were raised to provide gifts and a Christmas party for the families that utilize the Learning Center.
