Outreach Programs

Giving of ourselves in mission and outreach is a vital piece of the ministry of MHCC.  Outreach benefits those on the receiving end, as well as those on the giving end, in ways that enrich both groups’ lives. 

Our members and friends are currently energized by a mission trip that will be undertaken to New Orleans in late July and early August.  Currently 19 adults, college age and Senior High youth are planning to go to work on projects overseen by the United Church of Christ. 

Above is a picture of a group that participated in a mission trip to New Orleans in 2006.

Here is a list of other ways in which we are also in mission and providing outreach through MHCC.  We support many long-standing partnerships (below):
 
Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) of the United Church of Christ (UCC) (National and Massachusetts Conference UCC support)

United Church of Christ Special Collections ~ there are four special collections that we support: Neighbors in Need, the Christmas Fund (formerly Veterans of the Cross), One Great Hour of Sharing and Strengthen the Church

Andover-Newton Theological School – training future ministers

Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Chaplaincy ~ MHCC provides a significant portion of the budget for the hospital chaplain;

Bread of Life – We serve six dinners a year and participate in clothing donations

Other means of mission support include:

1. Habitat for Humanity – we supported them locally with a small financial contribution and participate in work days.
2. Heifer Project International – MHCC members supported Heifer  International through the cookbook fundraiser run by the Church School. 
3. A Servant’s Heart Food Pantry - donations of food and money.
4. Rosie’s Place – sold Rosie’s handmade jewelry at the Church Fair and raised over $650.00.
5. Fair Trade Farmers – We continue to use Fair Trade coffee for Fellowship Hour and sold Fair Trade coffee, tea and cocoa at the Church Fair.
6. “Make a House a Home” program for Pine Street Inn.  Through the generous donations of the congregation, we were able to help furnish a one-room unit for a formerly homeless person.
7. Project Linus – The Church School made blankets for Project Linus and other blankets were donated as well, resulting in over 15 blankets being donated. 
8. We supported City Mission Society by donating clothes and gifts for infants, and socks and outerwear for men for the Annual Christmas Shoppes.
9. Hosted the Just Peace Players who performed their play “A Small World,” inspiring us to reflect on “how we can live justly in our divided world.”