First Congregational United
Church of Christ
54 So. Jackson St, Janesville, WI 53548
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Church Office: firstcon@tds.net |
(608) 752-8716 |
Rev. Wesley Bixby: firstconpastor@tds.net |
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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
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"A Caring Church for Thinking
People" Since 1845 |
External Links
UCC Web Site
WI Conference UCC
SW Wisconsin Association UCC
United Church Camps
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Opportunities to be of Service to Others |
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Committed to Service First Congregational UCC is a congregation with a long history of commitment to serving the Janesville community. In the 1950's when many congregations were fleeing the downtown area to create new church homes in the residential areas, the members of First Congregational UCC made a conscious decision to remain downtown near those members of the community most in need. Today, we remain a service oriented church. If you are seeking opportunities to be of service to others, First Congregational UCC offers many opportunities through our current programs. We also remain constantly open to identifying additional opportunities to explore and develop new mission outreach efforts. Opportunities to be of service to others are readily available. |
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Service Opportunities |
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ECHO
(Everyone
Cooperating to Help Others) |
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ECHO, Inc., is a non-profit, church-sponsored charity
organization, serving low-income individuals and families in the
Janesville area. It exists through the generosity of others in
the community. ECHO stands for Everyone Cooperating to Help
Others. ECHO is a charity organization called upon to help meet temporary housing, food, clothing, health, transportation and other emergency needs for low-income families. ECHO seeks to help people help themselves through its programs and services, not readily available through other sources, and to assist them in utilizing other existing services and programs in the community. How Is First Congregational UCC Involved With ECHO?
ECHO Board Members from First
Congregational UCC |
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| Members of our congregation have
been involved with the
Rock County Habitat for Humanity program since it's
inception in 1990. Some have worked as volunteers on building
projects. Others have served on the agency's Board. Our
congregation also takes up special collections for this program
during the year. A fund raising event
known as Pasta, Poetry and Piano is held annually in February.
All the proceeds from this event are donated to Habitat for
Humanity. |
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| Pasta,
Poetry and Piano XVII was held on February 15, 2008. Those
attending this year's event report that a wonderful time was had
by all.
Photos from the event seem to tell the same story. Over the eighteen years this event has been held, almost $30,000 has been raised and donated to Rock County Habitat for Humanity. |
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| On a rotating basis with other
churches in the Janesville area, members of our congregation
prepare and serve breakfast to students at Wilson Elementary
School between 6:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Those who
participate report a great deal of satisfaction gained from
interacting with the students. Check the church calendar for information concerning times during the school year when First Congregational UCC is scheduled to serve. |
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| Members of our congregation participate in the Meals on Wheels program several times each year. This is a program which delivers nutritious hot meals to men and women who are elderly, homebound, disabled and frail living in their own homes. | |
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| Called to Care is a program which trains lay people as caregivers. Upon completing training graduates assist the Pastor and Parish Nurse in visiting homebound members of our congregation. | |
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| One Sunday of each month members are provided the opportunity to fill a grocery bag with groceries needed by one of several Janesville area programs supplying food assistance to persons in need. Grocery bags are placed in the pews on selected Sundays. Each bag contains a list of groceries needed by the listed organization. Members are asked to take a bag home, purchase the listed items and returned the filled grocery bag to the church for distribution to the local programs. Programs currently benefiting from this program include ECHO, Salvation Army and YWCA Alternatives Program. | |
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Members of our congregation participate in Project Linus making
blankets for children in our area who are hurting in some way
and are in need of the comfort, love and security we can give
them through a Linus "Security Blanket". The blankets are knit,
crocheted, sewn, or quilted. They are made by hand, or by
machine, of new washable materials in child-friendly colors and
many sizes. The finished blankets are distributed through about
twenty-five approved local organizations such as hospitals,
shelters, police and fire departments. Materials for making blankets are available. Donations of material are also welcome. Evie Wanninger coordinates the efforts of our blanketeers. For information on how you can become involved with the Linus Blanket Project at First Congregational Church, contact Evie at (608) 754-3115. For more information on Project Linus you might also want to visit the Project Linus web site. |
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Members of our congregation knit or crochet shawls for
distribution to comfort others in our church who are in need of
our love and prayers. The shawls are made of exceptionally soft
yarn in pretty colors. They are very popular with the those who
have received them. Yarn and patterns are available for those interested. If you want to participate in this project contact Evie Wanninger at (608) 754-3115. |
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Our Members Support Many Local Missions
NetPivotal
