First Congregational Church seeks “to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). The Covenants we have adopted as a congregation guide our commitments in mission and social action.
Mental Health
In 2019, First Congregational Church undertook a faithful discernment process to identify a specific need in the community and find an organization with whom we could draw near in partnership and establish a long-term, hands-on relationship, offering our service through intergenerational volunteer hours as well as significant financial support. In the end, we identified mental health as a priority for us and selected Mindful Works, a Windhorse Social Enterprise, which restores dignity and hope for those in recovery from mental health challenges by providing job-driven training and employment. Mindful Works is a non-profit making meditation cushions, throw pillows, handbags, poufs, dog biscuits, and more. Mindful Works Ministry was created to coordinate church activities and volunteerism with the organization.
Homelessness and Hunger
We have a long-term relationship with Bridge House, one of the primary organizations serving the unhoused community of Boulder. Our Carriage House served as the day shelter for ten years. In the winter months we hosted emergency overnight shelter until Bridge House expanded their capacity for more permanent solutions. Members of our congregation volunteer at Community Table, serving dinner on weeknights. One Sunday a month we host Soup Kitchen in our Plymouth Hall, serving lunch to our hungry neighbors. Health care professionals from St. Benedict’s, another mission partner, provides free healthcare consultations on these days. We collect canned and dry goods on the first Sunday of every month for the food pantries at EFAA (Emergency Family Assistance Association) and BCAP (Boulder County AIDS Project). During COVID-19 physical distancing, the Sunday Soup Kitchen has become a pick-up and go bagged lunch served outside Plymouth Hall and canned food collection has been altered with food being dropped at different collection sites.
Climate Change
Our Climate Change team, formerly our Eco-Ministry, engages the congregation in efforts to raise awareness about the climate crisis, to advocate for change, and reduce our carbon footprint. Our FAITH Center is heated with a geo-thermal system below our parking lot and our congregation annually purchases wind credits to offset the energy we use for electricity.
Service Projects
When disaster strikes, we often send crews of volunteers to participate in clean-up efforts and Habitat for Humanity builds. When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and Hurricane Maria flooded Houston and destroyed homes in Puerto Rico, we traveled to help. We have also participated in service projects in parts of South America and Kenya.
Partnerships
First Congregational Church of Boulder is a congregation of the United Church of Christ.
We are proud to be a founding congregation of the Boulder Chapter of the NAACP, engaged in efforts of Together Colorado, the International Rescue Committee, GreenFaith, and the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado.