Our Partners in Mission & Ministry
FCC believes strongly in our calling to minister to others, both close to home and around the world. We subscribe fully the Disciples of Christ mission and vision, based on Micah 6:8 -- "To be a faithful, growing church, that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice."
We believe that our ministry joyfully privileges us to commit our treasure, time, and energy in mission and service to others. FCC tithes ten percent of congregational giving to mission work. Five percent of this tithe goes to support Disciples Mission Fund and half is used by FCC's Missions and Outreach Committee to respond to local and other mission needs. From time to time, we also take special offerings and conduct fundraising events for specific missions and organizations. We also participate in a variety of mission activities. You can read more about just a few of our mission opportunities here.
Tennyson Center for Children provides a variety of programs for emotionally and crisis-affected children and youth, particularly those suffering from abuse and neglect. Programs vary from daily schooling and therapy, to residential boarding programs. The Center serves children ranging in age from 5-18 and is dedicated to ensuring that these amazing kids have the fighting chance they deserve at a satisfying and fulfilling life. FCC provides financial support to the Tennyson Center on a recurring basis as part of our congregation's Mission Tithe. FCC members occasionally travel to the center to participate in work parties and to serve as adjuncts to Tennyson Staff. In July of 2016, the Tennyson Center opened a satellite office housed in First Christian Church to better serve the needs of El Paso county children. A tithe from FCC's recent capital campaign made possible the renovation of room in the church for that satellite office, and FCC is leasing the space to Tennyson for $1 a year.
Family Promise/IHN is a ministry to temporarily homeless families supported by about twenty congregations in Colorado Springs. These congregations provide overnight sleeping quarters for one week and a hot meal each night to the families. About twice a year, families sleep in our Sunday School rooms, and FCC volunteers provide meals, serve as overnight hosts, and help with set-up, break-down, and clean-up. Participants in the program are always families with children, and all families have at least one parent working or actively looking for work. The intent of providing free housing and some meals during their stay is to allow families to accumulate enough money to make a rental deposit and set up housekeeping.
One Nation Walking Together strives to make a positive impact in the lives of Native Americans - a people that are greatly under-served and misrepresented. The organization is about helping people, not just "a cause." By addressing the specific needs of each community they serve, One Nation Walking Together is able to be more than a "dump and run" charity. They deliver the basic necessities of life as a way of walking alongside and supporting some of the most impoverished people in our country. While 2/3 of the donations go to reservation communities in eight western states, 1/3 of the donations stay right here in Colorado to serve urban Natives. Furthermore, One Nation Walking Together provides a range of Emergency Services Programs aimed to address issues of domestic violence, homelessness, and more within the Pikes Peak Region.
FCC has worked with One Nation Walking Together in a variety of ways. We collect special offerings for the organization and have made mission trips to Native American Communities. FCC's latest mission trip was to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, over Labor Day Weekend of 2017. You can see photos from that trip here.
FCC has worked with One Nation Walking Together in a variety of ways. We collect special offerings for the organization and have made mission trips to Native American Communities. FCC's latest mission trip was to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, over Labor Day Weekend of 2017. You can see photos from that trip here.
The Place (formerly known as Urban Peak) offers three vital programs that support young people to allow them to step off the streets and step toward a brighter future. They help homeless young people develop family and life skills, offer safe places for them to stay, help them receive health and medical care, develop employment skills, provide case management, and help young people connect with education opportunities. FCC makes a monthly donation to The Place, and they are regular recipients of our Second Sunday Noisy Offerings.
Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Week of Compassion provides financial resources and works through partner organizations to facilitate relief and development efforts in areas of great need. FCC supports Week of Compassion with an annual offering (usually in February) special offerings for disaster relief and aid.
The Central Rocky Mountain Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) helps support the ministry of forty-six Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Southeast Idaho, and Northwest New Mexico. The Central Rocky Mountain Regional Minister serves as a pastor to the pastors of the Region's congregations, and many FCC folks take part in Regional activities such as church camp and retreats and also serve in Regional leadership roles.
Disciples Mission Fund is the "common fund" of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. Disciples Mission Fund supports seventy-two ministries in the United States, Canada, and around the world. Five percent of all contributions to FCC's operating budget goes to Disciples Mission Fund to support these denominational ministries. One hundred percent of gifts to the Annual Christmas Special Offering for Disciples Mission Fund goes to support the Central Rocky Mountain Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and there are other "special day" offerings through the year that are designated for particular denominational ministries.
TESSA’s mission is to help women and their children achieve safety and well-being while challenging communities to end sexual and family violence. TESSA strives to realize a community free of personal violence for all in three ways: 1. Provide immediate safety at its confidential safehouse for women, children, and other victims escaping abuse. 2. Empower survivors through programs and support such as Advocacy and Counseling. 3. Create a safer future through Education & Outreach to schools, businesses, and other organizations.
Feed My Starving Children. Each year, many First Christian members volunteer at Feed My Starving Children. This ministry helps provide nutritious meals to hungry children and their families around the world.
Village at the Bluffs was opened in 2002, with the hard work and dedication of its Board of Directors. It was the Board's dream to provide affordable housing for seniors in Colorado Springs. Village at the Bluffs has 51 apartments for residents who can maintain an independent living environment with or without assistance.
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