Outreach & Missions
Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me. Matthew 25:40
Missions Outreach Programs
First Congregational Church’s service and outreach ministries strive to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community, both here in Essex and around the world. Whether it is through hands-on service, financial support, or building awareness about marginalized communities, members of our congregation seek opportunities to live Christ’s love through active engagement in our world.
There are many ways for adults, youth and children to participate. To learn more about our outreach ministries and how to get involved, click on the links below:
Other ministries (scroll down or use the links to take you directly there):
The missions committee assists the Josh Pallotta House. Josh’s House VT is a Veteran-designed recreation and wellness space offering meeting and study spaces, a large communal kitchen, video games, and a state-of-the-art gym. They combine local and national resources, emergency services, and research to provide Veterans the resiliency, transition, and reintegration tools to help them sustain or return to full and healthy lives.
Many of the veterans being served at the Pallotta house are recovering from tobacco, alcohol, and drug addiction. These veterans rely on sugar items to get them through their addiction. The Mission’s committee has agreed to help supply the house with cans of sugar soda.
Missions also provide pizza parties and other luncheons for the veterans. It provides a time that church members can meet and talk with veterans from the area.
First Church is proud to work with Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP). JUMP’s mission is “To promote the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of people by providing compassionate care, direct assistance to meet basic needs, and advocacy”. Budgets are stretched thin in this time as all are experiencing higher food costs and for many, the cost of housing has continued to rise. JUMP assists with food vouchers, utility payments, thrift shop vouchers for clothes and necessary household items, laundry vouchers, gas vouchers, and bus passes.
The missions committee hosts a bake sale in conjunction with the church lawn sale to earn money for their programs. The committee also provides donations to their annual Silent Auction Fundraiser.
Dismas House
The Dismas House in Winooski is a place for people who have served their prison sentences to live until they get their feet on the ground. Volunteers coordinated by FCCEJ have been taking meals to the Dismas House on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Volunteers who prepare the meal stay and dine with the Dismas residents, creating community and showing support to the Dismas residents is an integral part of the Dismas program. Currently, we provide a meal to feed 10-12 people.
Age Well
Age Well include the leading experts and advocates for the aging population of Northwestern Vermont. They believe that health happens at home and focuses on lifestyle, happiness, and wellness—not on age. Their mission is to empower and support individuals as they age by providing community connections and access to services.
Our church hosts free breakfast seminars on the services provided by Age Well and
provides funding from our church concert program.
COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter)
COTS advocates long-term solutions to end homelessness while providing emergency shelter, vital services and long-term housing options for people who are experiencing homelessness or are marginally housed. The church participates in the Annual COTS Walk each May. The COTS Walk is an important peer-to-peer fundraiser. Every year walkers of all ages from businesses, schools, religious organizations, and neighborhoods come together from all over the region to participate. We also assist in COTS School Bonanza with various supplies. The goal of the event is to foster confidence through picking out school supplies and a backpack, choosing first day of school outfits, getting a haircut, and so much more.
Giving Tree
FCCEJ provides Christmas gifts to children in our community through our Giving Tree Program. Social workers in our local schools provide names of children who need assistance. Each parent provides information on the children’s wish list. Then tags are provided on our tree for members to purchase the item. The tags provided each child with two articles of clothing and a book, toy, game, or gift card.
In 2025 we had 54 children in the initial sign-up, for a total of 162 tags. This year, we provided a second distribution day for families that missed the sign-up deadline. That additional day, we served approximately 20 families, most with at least two children in their household. This puts the total number of children given assistance at over 200. Along with the gifts, there were winter coats donated by Essex Rotary, hats and gloves, Hannaford Gift Cards, provided mostly through donations from our amazing FCCEJ community. Also, Toys donated during the craft fest fundraiser and bags of Christmas candy were distributed.
LIFT (Living in Faith Together) Sundays
LIFT is a ministry format used by our congregation to bring together children, youth, and adults. Twice a year everyone is welcome to come together in the Fellowship Hall to assemble packets for persons living without permanent accommodations. The packets are housed in cubbies by the church front door. Everyone is encouraged to take one to distribute when the opportunity arises.
Other Organizations We Support
First Church supports many different organizations in our community, country and around the globe:
- Essex Pride including Burlington Pride Parade
- Vermont Interfaith Action
- Service Members serving overseas