Missions

First Church is involved in many mission endeavors, both locally and worldwide. Our church facility serves as a homeless day shelter, classrooms for Dover Adult Ed, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous groups, and Scouts, among others. Below is a partial list of current ministry involvement at First Church.

Habitat for Humanity

Bike and Build, a group of 33 people, came to the Seacoast the week of June 17. Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity asked First Church if we might be in a position to supply lunch on Friday, June 22 at the duplex being built on Silver St in Rochester. Of course, we said!! The Lutheran Church in Newington provided shelter at night and various other organizations provided other meals.

On Sat. the 23rd at 9am B and B dipped their wheels in the Atlantic at New Castle beach. They then rode off on their bicycles to their next destination.... Final destination: Vancouver, Canada!! All done in the name of affordable housing.

As building progresses we will be looking for 3 new Habitat families! All homes are in duplexes. The Rochester duplex, being built on Silver Street, is a duplex composed of two separate structures. If you or someone you know is interested, please have them contact Bill Sammis for info and help with the application process. Don’t think you don’t qualify, ask and you may receive!

The ReStore, at the former roller rink in Newington, 29 Fox Run Rd, is open 9-5, Tues - Sat. Tel. 603-750-3200. New volunteers (to work at the ReStore!) are always welcome. What to contribute something? Call or email -- 750-3200 manager@nhrestore.org . Also, for an extra treat, on rainless Saturdays the ReStore’s neighbor, Texas Roadhouse, will be serving treats hot off an outdoor grill!

Our Food Cupboard

Our cupboard is in need of the following items:

canned juices/juice mixes, powdered milk, evaporated milk, soups, canned fruit, canned meats (Spam), tuna, pudding cups, jello, crackers, jams/jellies, peanut butter, small containers of mayo/ketchup/mustard, boxed mac n' cheese, spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes, hash, instant mashed potato, dish liquid, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant (men/women), toilet tissue, soap. (This may sound like the same list as last month, with some changes, but these are the foods/items that are needed on a fairly regular basis.)

Zimbabwe

You can read articles published in Fosters about the project:

Article on First Church

Longer article on the many other volunteers from the area

The Z Team wants to give a hearty thanks to all those who made donations for our sister-church in Chikore. First Church committed to 10 cubic feet but our generosity filled 38 cubic feet, due in part to 180 pairs of shoes donated by Timberland brought in by Sharon Gullage, and 2 cartons of over-the-counter pain medications which were donated by the Rochester Walgreens. Items given by church members included clothing, bedding, seeds, tools, a small sewing machine, fabric, bras, socks, children’s and teen books. Five people helped to pack and label the boxes. A week later four people loaded them into a pickup truck and brought them to the parking lot behind the Spaulding High School. The day was very hot, but the forty or so volunteers from many churches worked for four hours to fill the 40’ high Cube Container that would take all our gifts to our partners in Zimbabwe. We loaded more than 1225 boxes, close to 1800 cubic feet. Twenty-four churches made donations to go to 63 of our partners in Zimbabwe, 63 churches as well as hospitals, clinics, and schools.

Thanks, also, to those who donated money toward the cost of postage. The Z-team had money for postage for 10 cubic ft. but needed more than 3 times that! What a good problem!!! The announcement was made on Sunday, June 17 and shortly thereafter, Bill Sammis had the postage needed! Blessings to all of you! Alleluia. Amen!

Share Fund


www.sharefund.org

The Share Fund assists Rochester residents in need of financial assistance, supports the inter-faith Soup Kitchen Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5PM at the United Methodist Church, Gerry's Food Pantry (Monday and Friday 1-3PM, Wednesday 10AM-3PM at the Rochester Community Center, and the Community Clothing Shop, Wed. and Sat. 9-3 at the Rochester Community Center.