First Church Congregational
63 South Main Street, Rochester NH, 03867 (603) 332-1121
Ministry of Outreach
First Church is involved in many mission endeavors, both locally and worldwide. Our church facility provides space for the Church Youth Group, Scouts, and Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous groups, among others. Below is a partial list of current ministry involvement at First Church.
Our Food Pantry
Our food pantry serves the Rochester area.
We are typically 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.
Zimbabwe Work Group
For many years the NH Conference has had a partnership with UCC churches in Zimbabwe, Africa. First Church has also been active in this partnership for many years.
Rochester Fellowship Soup Kitchen
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. First Church provides the meal at the Soup Kitchen on the 5th Thursday of the month. www.sharefund.org
SERRV
First Church offers unique and handcrafted fair trade items from around the world thru Serrv (http://www.serrv.org.) Serrv is a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. The "SERRV Cabinet" at First Church is open the 3rd Sunday of the month after the 10:00 service, during Hospitality and during regular office hours.