Outreach

A Congregation Involved in Service, Advocacy and Justice

Individuals and groups who are part of the First Church community are involved in a variety of projects and actions to address issues and problems in the world. Check out some of our outreach activities on the Outreach Newspage.

First Congregational Church of Berkeley is a congregation of activists amidst an urban environment that is both vibrant and challenging. As individuals and a congregation, we are deeply troubled by neglect, inequity, oppression, and intolerance in our communities and in the world. We feel called to merge our spiritual and secular lives by practicing compassion and working together towards justice for all.

We believe that any and everyone should be able to respond to the needs of our communities near and far. At FCCB a few or many can organize themselves into a Ministry Team to respond to a specific need in the community or the world. The commitment to work on a project may be short-term or long-term.

Members of the FCCB community are also actively involved in many sorts of witness and social action. For example, a group gathered after church on March 18, 2007, to go to a rally in San Francisco protesting the war in Iraq. Although we never presume as individuals or groups to speak for the entire congregation, we do strongly support the expression of opinions, ideas, and values, and the necessity to take action.

Ministry of Outreach Grants

The Ministry of Outreach, Mission and Service of First Congregational Church of Berkeley makes grants to various organizations engaged in service and social change. This process is open to any local, national or international non-profit agency or FCCB Ministry Team. Priority is given to organizations that demonstrate success in their work, have a limited base of support, and a commitment to empowering marginalized communities. This grant making process is now an annual process with applications being received in the fall each year. However, there will be opportunities throughout the year for First Church Ministry Teams to request financial support and for the congregation to respond to crises that may occur. The ability to offer these grants depends upon the continued support of the Cellar Thrift shop who generously give OMS a portion of their profits to give away. Support the Thrift Shop at the church which is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10-4.

The next round of grant applications will be received in the Fall of 2008, but if would like to get an idea of the process and application, please download the files below.

FCCB Grant Cover Letter for 2007
FCCB Grant Application for 2007

2007 Grant Recipients

Here is a list of the recent recipients of grants for Fall of 2007 from the Ministry of Outreach, Mission and Service. Follow the links to learn more about each organization. In addition to these organizations, some of FCCB’s Ministry Teams also received grants.

YEAH (Youth Emergency Assistance Hostel) ($800)
Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center ($500)
Firm, Inc. ($1500)
Multicultural Institute ($1500)
What If? Foundation ($500)
African American Teaching Fellows ($500)
Berkeley Creative Living Center Bonita House, Inc. ($500)
UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns ($500)
San Francisco Safehouse ($500) (their website may be still be under construction)

In addition, these four organizations were selected to receive funds from the Christmas and Easter offerings:
The Suitcase Clinic
Puente de la Costa Sur
Fonkoze USA (Haiti)
KUDO (Malawi)