Mission and Ministry
As we emerge from the Pandemic there are several historic missions and emerging ministries happening. Take a look and see where you might feel God calling you to get involved.
Peace and Justice are actions we take every day toward building the Beloved Community. The members and friends of FCCUCC Salem have a longstanding commitment to collaborations and initiatives that support a more just and peaceful world. Here are some of these initiatives and partnerships.
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Team Earth - This is our Climate Justice ministry. We do educational events as well as advocacy events for members and friends of the congregation. We also partner with state and national organizations to advance Climate Justice initiatives and awareness.
Family Promise - We work with Family Promise of the Mid-Willamette Valley to support unsheltered families as they move toward more stable housing. We are part of the rotation of congregations that host families for a week at a time. We partner with other churches that want to help by offering volunteers and food.
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Marion Polk Food Share - We partner with Marion Polk Food Share to collect nonperishable foods and personal hygiene items for our neighbors in need.
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Tool Time - We work with the Bridge and other faith-based programs and collect tools for those moving into transitional housing, particularly the families graduating from the Family Promise rotation program.
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Safe Park - We partner with the Church @ the Park to host those living in their vehicles overnight who are enrolled in the Safe Park program. We also provide Port-a-Potties for our unhoused neighbors.
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Salem Keizer Interfaith Network - We are a part of SKIN, the Salem faith-based justice initiative. SKIN works to build friendships and community across many religious and spiritual expressions in order to make Salem/Keizer a more just and peaceful community.
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Salem Pride - As the oldest Open and Affirming congregation in Salem, we are proud to join with Capitol and Downtown Pride to celebrate and advocate with and for the LGBTQIA+ communities here in Salem and beyond.
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ACLU of Oregon - We partner with the ACLU of Oregon to support various legislative initiatives that align with our call to be a Just Peace Church in the United Church of Christ. Whether education, reproductive rights, equal access to healthcare, voting rights, sensible gun laws, workers' rights, or carbon reduction policies, we are proud to stand with all who work to create a peaceful and just world.
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12-Step Programs - We host a number of 12-Step programs that offer support to people struggling with various forms of addiction. Check the calendar for days and times of meetings.
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PFLAG - We host the Mid-Willamette Valley PFLAG meeting every month. Check the calendar for day and time of meeting.
Here in Salem, Oregon, we remember that our homes and our lives are built within the watershed of the great Willamette River and upon the aboriginal lands of the Kalapuya peoples, who today belong to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. As we open our hearts to all who call this place home, we acknowledge the harm that has come to the native peoples of this place through settlement and land appropriation, often by the church itself. We acknowledge the harm that has come to the native species of this sacred land through our own human actions. We ask forgiveness this day as we commit ourselves to restoring the communion of all creation, here and throughout the earth.
RACIAL JUSTICE NETWORK - central pacific conference
Justice & Ministry Team meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 11am on Zoom. The network exists to provide resources, accountability and support for anti-racist practice. All members of the CPC are welcome.
Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82041077789
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