Mission opportunities are an important part of our church life. Volunteers to help in these missions are always needed and appreciated. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and to be directed to the appropriate contact person, please click the “Contact Us” link or call or e-mail Office Manager Jan Smith (715-834-2668; jans@firstucceauclaire.org)

Okora Sustainable Community Project

Kitgum and Lamwo Districts are located in northern Uganda. These districts were severely affected by more than two decades of insurgency by the rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Thousands of civilians lost their lives, were beaten, and taken as captives. As a result, the population was forced to line in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. The camps were associated with many hardships including lack of safe water, food, health services and education. Life in the IDP camps was suffocating and dehumanizing.

Over the past two years, the residents of the Okora, Uganda have been resettling in their villages. First Congregational UCC decided to support them in this complex task and to collaborate with Lutheran World Federation in the support of their resettlement. The Okora Sustainable Community Project will support the people of Okora as they rebuild their community and develop solutions to their post-war issues in their village.

Please click on the links below for more information on the Okora Project.

Upcoming events to support Okora:

A yard/plant sale will be held Thursday May 9 through Saturday May 11 - 9am to 5pm each day. The sale will be held at 336 W Hamilton Ave in Eau Claire (between Stein and State in Putnam Heights). Many great treasures available!

Third Annual Okora Golf Outing. This event will be held Sunday, June 2, 2013 at Hickory Hills Golf Course. Registration begins at 2:00 followed by a shotgun start at 3:00. Fee is $50 which includes a walking green fee, dinner, a chance at pirzes and a live auction. Carts are an extra $8 payable to Hickory Hills when you check in for registration. If you don't golf, come for the dinner only option at 5:00 available for $20 per person. This also includes the live auction. Click here for the registration form. If you are just coming for dinner write that on the form.

Purchase "Shares of Success" as gift to a loved one. Download the form here, fill it out and bring or mail it to the church. If you wish, "honor cards" will be provided to you to gift wrap or mail. This gifting option is available all year long.

Scrapping/Stamping workshop for Okora - this event will be held in the Summer, dates to be determined. Fill out the contact us form if you would like information to be emailed to you as it becomes available.

Progress Updates:

Read the latest progress report here.

Back Bay Mission

One of the missions supported by the UCC through OCWM (Our Church’s Wider Mission) is the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. Over the course of nearly 90 years of service the scope of Back Bay Missions programs has changed and evolved as have the specific needs of the community it serves. Yet the core of its character and purpose has remained steadfast. As its mission statement says the Mission “serves...by faithful witness for social justice and compassionate service to the poor and marginalized”. Following the crippling Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Back Bay Mission found itself with no habitable facilities. Because of the incredible outpouring of support from UCC churches, individuals, and organizations, Back Bay Mission is recovering more quickly than many locally based agencies. The staff of seven full time employees and four part time persons provides direct services to poor families while creating new independent service agencies. Because of past and current UCC investment in Back Bay Mission's work, over $10 million in vital services are delivered annually to South Mississippians in such diverse areas as education, legal aid, health care, feeding programs, early childhood development, family counseling, housing, and domestic violence.

First Congregational UCC sent a workgroup to assist in the rebuilding of Back Bay Mission in 2007, 2009, and again in July 2011.

Church World Service

Church World Service works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. The CWS assistance aims to respond to food and safe shelter needs for the most vulnerable and to increase communities' resilience through strengthening livelihoods; increasing the efficiency of irrigation systems; boosting agricultural production and increasing household access to water.

CWS Kits are small packages of supplies assembled by volunteers for neighbors in need at home and around the world. This past year, thanks to donations from congregations and other groups, CWS provided some 121,735 Kits-School Kits, Hygiene Kits, Baby Care Kits, and Emergency Clean-up Buckets-making a huge difference in disaster relief and recovery, and in ongoing development programs. Learn more at: www.churchworldservice.org/kits