MISSIONS

Faith Church sought as part of its mission to help support those in need with our Monthly Mission gifts to organizations and missional services who have track records of providing quality services to address the missional needs of those among us in the broader church and world community. Mission Offerings are given as free-will offerings during church services and we have also supported "Special Missions" with funds raised through fund-raising events to raise and collect donations for special needs.

In addition, some church members and their families actively supported selected missions of those organizations listed below with "hands on" donations of time, talents and other supports throughout the year.

In 2017 and 2016 a member organized participation and giving to the "Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk" supporting the work of the Illinois Chapter of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In 2016, church members also participated in the "Hunger Walk" supporting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Those interested in participating or contributing in these or others listed can use the Mission Contact Form below.

The yearly calendar for our monthly missions was developed each year by our Social Concerns Team, and then endorsed by the Church Board and Congregation at our Annual Congregational meetings. Any member of the church could suggest an organization to be added as a monthly mission recipient, or they can identify a need in the community that is under-served and the team will search out possible resources and suggest a plan to address the need.

Faith Church's 'Hands-on' Missions

In support of our commitment to 'Transforming communities through active compassion, mercy and justice ministries' our church:

Faith Church collected school supplies to benefit the families and children served by the Irving Park Community Food Pantry. In addition, we have also collected winter coats and seasonal accessories and apparel in August and September for the Pantry's Fall distribution.
Praying Pelican Missions has sent various faith groups to Chicago that stayed at Faith Church as their base for a week.
We hosted the folks from the Albert Lea Church - A United Methodist Community in Minnesota.
We hosted the folks from Hillside Bible Church Praying Pelican Mission Group from Michigan.
We hosted the folks from Lakeside Community Church from Michigan.
We hosted folks from Hosanna Lutheran Church, from Louisiana.
On April 20 and July 20, 2016, Faith United Church of Christ, hosted free discussions for the community on public and personal health sponsored by Mt. Sinai Healthcare System's department of Family Medicine. Physicians were there to conduct an open discussions on how we can be healthy people - physically, inter-relationaly, and spiritually.
Some members have participated in Chicago's "Hunger Walk" supporting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Other members walked in and supported Chicago's "Out of the Darkness" walk in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
In October 2015 we began assembling and collecting shoebox gifts for youth around the world as our active compassion, mercy and justice ministry service. We participated again in 2016, and in 2017. Our "shoeboxes" were delivered to our church's "Operation Christmas Child" collection center each November. They were soon on their way to children for Christmas! Thanks to all who filled and packed the boxes and to a generous donor whose monetary gift was passed along. We received word that at least some shoeboxes in 2017 went to children in Rwanda.