NEWTOWN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH United Church of Christ
NEWTOWN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHUnited Church of Christ

GLOBAL COMMUNITY MINISTRY

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth”  - 1 John 3:18

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

In gratitude for God’s abundant love, we are people compelled to love our neighbors beyond ourselves. Outreach efforts are dispersed throughout the congregation and are collectively called Global Community Ministry. Our outreach includes local, national, and global ministries. It addresses immediate needs, education, development, creation care, and justice issues. The gifts we share include funds, service, compassion, items, facility space, and conservation. 

The organizations and programs NCC supports are listed below along with website links to learn more. NCC’s support includes volunteer service, donated items, funding or any combination of these. Funding sources include both allocated budget monies and individual gifts designated for specific causes.

In addition to providing support to numerous organizations, NCC also helps neighbors who are in need through our limited funding, special fundraising, and referrals to local resources.

NCC-CREATED PROGRAMS

Concerts - Some are planned, like the Holiday Concert and Afternoon of Music, Food, and Holiday Cheer, and sometimes they're held with little notice... but either way they are usually wonderful uplifting events!

Cornerstone Thirft Center - Offers very affordable used & new goods to our Newtown and area community. Learn More.

Hospitality Hall Pantry - Provides supplementary food and supplies for local needs. Learn More.

Labor Day - "Parking, Pancakes" - Provide parking and breakfast at a minimal expense to the local community prior to the annual parade 

Mississippi BBQ and Shrimp Boil - On the 3rd Saturday in October it's time for finger-lickin' food! The funds collected assist our group to travel to Back Back Mission and to also provide some financial assitance to the Mission. Learn More

Newtown Ecumenical Workcamp Servants (N.E.W.S) - Youth service trips of our Newtown area youth. Learn More.

NCC Adult Workcamp Group - Travel to Biloxi, Mississippi each year to service local residents by working with the UCC Back Bay Mission. Learn More.

Tag Sale to Benefit Nonprofits - Organized by and held at NCC as a service to  community non-profits.

Thoughtful Film Series -  Evening film presentation that raises awareness about challenging social justice issues through film and dialog. 

12/14 Annual Interfaith Memorial Service  - Organized by the Newtown Interfaith Clergy, provides a time of remembrance to honor the victims and survivors of the Sandy Hook tragedy that occured on 12/14/2012.

 

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (UCC) PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY NCC

Back Bay Mission: Seeks justice and transforms lives through education, empowerment programs, and housing rehabilitation.  Our NCC adult workcamp group travels to volunteer at the Mission each winter. Learn More.

Basic Support: We budget a portion of our annual income to UCC Wider Mission Basic Support (to support the work of UCC conferences and to fund all the ways we strive together to be the Church). Learn More.

Green Church Certification: A program to protect God's creation by living greener. We have been certified to the 3rd level of this creation care program. As stewards of God’s creation we have also adopted and promote practices to protect and restore creation.

  • Fair Trade Coffee -  Through the UCC Fair Trade Project and Equal Exchange, we proudly purchase and serve fair trade coffee to help small farmers, communities and the environment in developing countries. And our cups for this coffee and not styrofoam. Learn More.
  • Hometown National Park - Promotes local biodiversity and ecosystem function; event co-sponsored with Protect Our Pollinators, the Pootatuck Water-shed Association, and Trinity Episcopal Church. 
  •  Interfaith Power and Light (CT)  - Inspires and mobilizes people of faith and conscience to take action on climate change as part of a national religious response to global warming. Learn More.
  • Polinator Garden - Pathways Homeschool, a renter of NCC, was given permission and planted a polinator garden, primarily to attract monarch butterflies.
  • Solar-Powered Church - We have significantly reduced our environmental footprint and use of fossil fuel, and at the same time reduced our costs. We are able to monitor our energy consumption via the Soldar Edge Monitor. View our monitor.

Diaster Ministries: Serves the most vulnerable populations, focusing on disaster preparedness, meeting unmet needs, and spiritual and emotional support inpartnership with dozens of organizations for holistic, community-based recovery. Learn More.

Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center: A faith enrichment facility providing summer camps, retreats, conferences, and mission trips for youth, families, and adults. Quite a few of our NCC youth and children attend the summer camps and a few of our NCC adults have been on the summer staff. Learn More.

Special Offerings: and we promote the four special offerings throughout the year: Neighbors in Need, Strengthen the Church, One-Great Hour of Sharing and Christmas Fund. Learn More.

 

SUPPORTED EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND MISSIONS

As a service to the community, NCC generously provides space for many local nonprofits and support groups (some of which are listed below) at a reduced cost (or often for a donation).

American Red Cross - Prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies. NCC hosts, promotes, and provides facility space for blood drives, as well as donates budget funds. Learn More.

Bridgeport Rescue Mission (BRM) - Cares for the mental, physical, and spiritual health of all who walk through their doors. At the Mission, people are met where they are so they can be raised up by God's grace. Fights poverty “from the inside out” with food, clothing, shelter, and recovery programs. NCC donates funds, holds fundraisers provides volunteer,s and donates turkeys for Thanksgiving. The Cornerstone Thrift Center contributes clothing, blankets, and other items. Learn More.

Change the Story - Community programs co-sponsored with the Parent Connection that addresses substance abuse and addiction. Learn More.

C.H. Booth Library - The library’s access to resources enable lively community conversations about and research into important topics. 

  • Social Justice Programming – NCC donate to this programming. Learn More.
  • Coninuing the Conversation Newsletter - Focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informs about upcoming local events to make Newtown a stronger and more inclusive community. Sign Up

Church World Service (CWS) - A ministry of Christian denominations transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responser to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disasters.

Blanket and Tools Program: NCC conducts an annual fundraiser for Mother's Dayto raise funds for food and water. Learn More.

CROP Hunger Walk: NCC coordinates an October Interaith community-wide walk ito raise funds to end hunger. Learn More.

Danbury Hospital (ER) - Our congregation brings new toys and stuffed animals to worship to be given to children who muct be in the hospital curing the Holiday Season.

Dorothy Day Hospitality House - Provides meals and shelter 7 days a week. NCC volunteers make and deliver sandwiches to Dorothy Day on a monthly basis. Learn More.

Dress a Girl Around the World (DAG) - Volunteers sew clothing for at-risk children so they will know they are worthy of respect and loved by God. NCC hosts an annual Sew-A-Thon and recruits volunteers. The Cornerstone Thrift Center collects material for the project. Learn More.

Dress for Success (Fairfield) - Enables women to break the cycle ofpoverty by providing donated apparel, accessories, and training for safer and better futures. NCC makes financial donations. Learn More.

Faith Food Pantry (Newtown) -  Provides food assistance to Newtown residents. Learn More.

Families United in Newtown (FUN) - Provides individuals with special needs and their families, social opportunities in a caring environment through themed meetings. NCC provides facility space, volunteers, and donates funds.  Learn More.

Feed the Children - Delivers food, and household essentials, nutrition training, clean water programs, school supplies, and disaster assistance.  Learn More.

Friends of Kenya Rising - Assists students and families as they rise out of poverty in western Kenya.

Golden Opportunities  - Works to enhance the quality of life for elder care facilities residents, and provides respite and educational programs for caregivers. Learn More.

Home Front - Provides low income local residents free home repairs through community-based volunteers. NCC provides fundraiser proceeds and volunteers for annual projects. Learn More.

Interfaith Partnership for Refugee Resettlement  (IPRR) -Works with Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) to co-sponsor refugee families and help them resettle in the Newtown area. NCC provides fundraiser proceeds,volunteer leadership, volunteer service, and storage space for donated goods until needed. Learn More.

Mothers United Against Violence (MUAV) - Provides compassion and support for Hartford families affected by violence and advocates for gun violence prevention, youth development, and other supportive community programs. NCC provides volunteers, items of need,and funds through fundraisers and GCM budgeted resources. Learn More.

Newtown Fund - Working with Newtown Social Services, acts as a safety net for Newtown residents by paying for food, fuel assistance, utility bills, rent, and medical expenses. The program also distributes Christmas holiday gift, some of which are provided by NCC congregants through the December "Adopt-A-Family" drive. Learn More.

Newtown Non-Profit Council  - NCC is part of this organization that offers ways to share God's love through local service. Learn More.

Real Food CT  -Connects local farms and hunger relief organizations to provide neighbors in need with the nutrition they deserve in South-western Connecticut. NCC contributes to the support of this organization and encourages volunteers to assist. Learn More.

Regional Hopsice (Danbury) - Approaches death by creating human connection and honoring each unique journey through a shared vision for living. At their Annual Breakfast fundraiser NCC sponsors a table, provides volunteers, and occasionaly provides speakers. Learn More.

Salavation Army - Assists individuals to become more independent through services and programs. NCC provides holiday bell ringer volunteers. Learn More.

Saint Martin De Porres Academy - Provides faith-based educvation to low-income middle school students in New Haven CT. Collections are taken at NCC to deliver to the school. Learn More.

Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign (Newtown)  - Raises funds to address emergency needs. 90% of local donations are used in Newtown to serve residents in need through partnerships with Newtown Human Services. Learn More

Sandy Hook Promise -  Begun as a result of our 12/14/12 tradgedy, this organization educates and empowers youth and adults to prevent violence in their community. It teaches how to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others. Learn Mor

Scouts of America (BSA) - Troop 270 (troop270newtownct.org) and Pack 270 (pack270.org) are chartered with NCC. We provide facility space, storage, and volunteers when needed. Learn More.

Swords to Plowshares -  Raises awareness about gun safety, violence, and takeback programs. Learn More.

 

INDIVIDUAL COMPASSION

In addition to participating in the NCC-supported programs listed above, our congregants are also individually active in serving as Christ in many other community organizations which include the following:

Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) -  Serves and advocates for age 55+. Learn More.

Jericho Partnership - Food Pantry/Clothing Bank -  Shares the love of Christ by serving the needy in Danbury. Learn More.

Lion's Club - Supports multiple charities, provides community service. Learn More.

Literacy Volunteers of America (Danbury) - Assists adults with reading.  Learn More 

Meals on Wheels -  Delivers meals to homebound individuals in the Newtown area. Learn More

Newtown Victory Garden - Volunteers grow and deliver fresh produce to Newtown’s local food pantries. Learn More

Newtown Women’s Club -  A service organization making a difference to those in need in the local area. Learn More

Protect Our Polinators - Saving endangered pollinators through education and action. Learn More

Relay for Life -  Fundraises for cancer research. Learn More

Rotary Club -  Support multiple charities. Learn More

Special Olympics - Sports training and athletic competition for the alternate challenged. Learn More   

Sustainable Southbury - Fostering human health through clean water, air, and healthy soils. 

Visiting Nurses Association - Provides local health screening services,nursing, physical therapy, and nursing aide services. Learn More

Women Involved in Newtown -  Fundraises and collects donation items for Thanksgiving gift baskets. Learn More.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is,

"What are you doing for others?:

-Martin Luther King, Jr. -

MAKE A DONATION TO HELP SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS.
Yes, someone lives under the blanket.

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