First Congregational Church

Mission Statement

First Congregational Church, UCC, in Amherst, is a worshiping community of people who affirm their faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ, who learn together what it means to live under God, who care for one another and share God's mission of love, peace, justice, and wholeness in the world. We are an Open and Affirming church which welcomes all persons, regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, ethnic background, age, sexual orientation, nationality, marital status or physical or mental ability.

We are a Just Peace church which is committed to peaceful and just relations in all segments of our society and world.

We are also an Earth Covenant Congregation committing ourselves with integrity to care for God's creation.

Throughout the past few years we have participated in the following outreach projects:

The community of the wider world:

• Our Church's Wider Mission
• One Great Hour of sharing
• Neighbors in Need
• La Paz Centro, Nicaragua
• Hurricane Katrina relief
• Heifer Project
• Sudan Relief
• Southeast Asia Relief
• Darfur Relief
• Asian Rural Institute
• Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Sal

The community of neighborhood and neighboring towns:

• The United Christian Foundation
• Family Outreach of Amherst
• A Better Chance
• The Survival Center of Amherst
• The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
• The Hampshire County Interfaith Cot Shelter
• Shelter Sunday
• Habitat for Humanity
• Safe Passages
• Interfaith Council
• Trickle Up

Mission within our walls:

• Not Bread Alone
• The Helen Mitchell House now serving as Jessie's House a homeless shelter for families
• Quilting group for Grace House families
• Silks for Sisters, interfaith outreach to local Muslim women
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Al Anon
• Preschool
• Primera Iglesia