First Christian Church is very involved in the Paris community-from financial support to personal involvement. Activities include:

• Compassionate Food Ministry
• Community Clothing Closet
• Emergency Assistance Fund
• Paris Ministerial Fellowship
• Paris Area Church Women

In addition, the Community Outreach Committee leads us into the community with our local projects:

“Got Milk?” Groceries
(January-February)
Certificates are given to families in need to go to Save-A-Lot for a list of basic food items. To supplement a family’s food.

Elementary School Supplies
(January)
Commitment to help our elementary schools with additional supplies for 2nd half of the year. To be background support.

“Care-Notes” for Teens
(All Year/Setup in January)
Providing practical resources about stress, dating, divorce, etc. to middle school & high school libraries in a display case with an FCC label. To encourage good thinking & follow-up.

“Adopt-a-School”
(All Year)
An effort to get involved with a local elementary school to provide assistance, encouragement, prayer. To be further developed.

“Back-To-School Shoes”
(August)
Certificates are provided to families in need to go to Wal-Mart for an appropriate pair of shoes before school begins. To help families at an “expensive time” of life.

First Grade Books
(April)
Visits to each 1st grade classroom to give a reading book to each student. To encourage reading and support our schools.

“Lunch on the Lawn”
(April & October)
Cooperative effort with PHS. Students are invited to lunch at FCC – upperclassmen in the fall, upper & underclassmen in the spring for food & giveaways to develop relationships and build a foundation for future ministry.

Third Grade Flashcards
(October)
Visits to each 3rd grade classroom to give a set of multiplication cards to all students. To promote math skills and assist our schools.

“Fill a Backpack”
(August)
Helping a local agency by inviting folk to provide the supplies needed before school. To assist both agencies and families.

“Trick-or-Treat around the Square”
(October)
Community event downtown with FCC setup to give out treats with labels, information about FCC & God, & fun. To share in the community.

“Head, Hands, Heart”
(November)
A give-away of used coats & winter-wear to children & others in need, or a voucher to local stores for a new coat. To spearhead an effort to help children & families.

Food Pantry
(All Year, plus February, September)
Ongoing ministry with regular food donations & dollar support, plus special efforts/drives & volunteers.

Clothing Pantry
(June-July)
Ongoing effort to recommend & support the ministry, specifically in the summer when we sponsor a clothing drive & staff the Pantry. To help the ecumenical effort.

Emergency Room Bears
(All Year)
An effort by CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship) to provide 20 homemade teddy bears each month for children to the local emergency room. To be a means of love & encouragement.

Emergency Assistance Fund
(All Year)
Monies available through the Sr. Minister for help with crises: utilities, rent, food, medicine, gas, etc. for church members and the community. To be a resource to assist with physical help.

Building Resource
(When Needed)
A place for scout groups, drama dinners, concerts, and other needs from our schools and organizations. To make use of the facility and serve others.

Business “After-Hours”
Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, an event at FCC to welcome, thank, visit with Chamber members. To support business & get-acquainted.

After-School Valentine’s Parties
(Past)
When there were after-school programs, FCC hosted Valentine’s Parties. To support staff & the community.

“Caps for Newborns”
(As Needed)
An effort by the “Knitters for Christ” group to make & provide homemade caps for the premature newborns at a nearby hospital. To reach out & support.

“Prayer Shawls”
(As Needed)
An effort by the “Knitters for Christ” group to make & give homemade shawls to those in treatment & others. To encourage & pray for others.

Piecemakers
(Ongoing)
An ecumenical quilting group that meets weekly, and makes quilts and more for children, homeless, others. To use their skills for God.

Member Involvement
(Ongoing)
We encourage members to get involved in the clubs, boards, and organizations of the community. To be Christ in culture.

Ministerial Fellowship / Ecumenical Efforts
(All Year)
Both ministers and First Christian Church lead and are involved in the wider religious work. To represent Christ.