"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Opportunities to Lend a Hand!
There are a number of local, national and international programs which First Church participates in. We are committed to working together to help improve the lives of all peoples. Some of the efforts we are involved in include:
BREAD & ROSES
Several members of our congregation are regularly volunteering at Bread & Roses Soup Kitchen in Lawrence. Volunteers help to prepare and serve dinner for between 150 and 200 guests at Bread & Roses. Volunteers are asked to commit to one year of service and can be scheduled for one night every week, every two weeks, or every three weeks. The church office has more details or you can call Bread & Roses at (978)681-8768
LAZARUS HOUSE MINISTRIES
Lazarus House offers a number of ministries to the poor and needy in the Merrimack Valley.
Lazarus House Ministries operates a homeless shelter, thrift shop, dental clinic, soup kitchen, and a residence
for AIDS patients.
The demands on the ministries of Lazarus House are increasing with changes in welfare and immigration laws. Recent data places Lawrence as the poorest city in New England and the 24th poorest city in the United States.
Although there are abundant jobs available, most of these jobs are part-time, paying $7.50 per hour with no benefits available. It is remarkably difficult to support a family on such an income. People come to Lazarus House for help with food, clothing, and shelter.
Lazarus House Ministries is looking for people to become members of the Legion of Lazarus which helps to financially support the ministry. Membership fees in the Legion of Lazarus range from $25.00 to $250 per year. All donations are tax-deductible. Please contact Lazarus House at 689-8575 for more information.
NEIGHBORS IN NEED
Neighbors in Need is a local food assistance program which runs a number of food pantries in the
area. Members of First Church help to support NIN through donations of food and money to the program. Each year
our Church School gathers food for Thanksgiving baskets to support Neighbors in Need.
M.A.P.A.
M.A.P.A. (Mision A Paraiso Ahora) is a mission group which works in mutual ministry with Iglesia
Evangelica Dominicana in Paraiso, Dominican Republic. Currently, the major focus of the group's work is on funding
a church-run school in Paraiso. Be sure to check the M.A.P.A. link for more information and to find out how you
can help.
Trips to Paraiso take place on a yearly basis. Contact the church office for more information.
OLIVER SCHOOL
First Church has established a partnership with the Oliver School, a K-8 school in downtown Lawrence.
We support the school through tutoring, offering a "Young Scientists of America" program, and bi-monthly
activity fairs where students are offered a opportunities to work on crafts, games, computer skills and sports.
Heifer Project International
Each year our Church School supports Heifer Project through a special Lenten offering. Each
class chooses an animal that they would like to raise funds to purchase. Children then find creative ways to raise
the funds to purchase their animals. This year, the Church School raised almost
$900 in support of HPI.
Other Projects
We also work on a number of other projects. Be sure to check back for new and updated information.
You may also find the following links of interest:
Bread for the World A nationwide Christian citizens' movement that works for justice for hungry people by lobbying our nation's decision makers.