{"id":307,"date":"2016-03-02T13:49:22","date_gmt":"2016-03-02T18:49:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scc-ucc.com\/?page_id=307"},"modified":"2025-10-20T10:49:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:49:28","slug":"other-mission-activities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.scc-ucc.com\/?page_id=307","title":{"rendered":"Mission Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Seekonk Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is a church that lives out God\u2019s call to mission in exciting and faithful ways.<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ongoing and Local Mission Projects<\/em><\/h1>\n

Adopt-a-Highway<\/h2>\n

Part of our mission commitment is to keep the environment clean. \u00a0We are part of the State of Massachusetts Department of Transportation \u2018Adopt A Highway\u2019 cleanup program. \u00a0Our designated route is along 114A from our church, north to the Rhode Island line. \u00a0April to November, volunteers from the church pick up litter and keep the roadside clean. \u00a0The litter is collected in bags and picked up by the highway department.<\/p>\n

Can and Bottle Collection<\/h2>\n

This is a contribution toward cleaning up our environment. \u00a0Massachusetts deposit cans and bottles can be left in the recycling container at the top of the Fall River Avenue church parking lot. \u00a0The cans and bottles are sorted weekly and taken to a recycling center. \u00a0The money raised from the project goes to hunger and justice concerns.<\/p>\n

Church Food Pantry<\/h2>\n

Our congregation maintains a small food pantry for members and others requiring assistance to make ends meet. Please contact the church office for more information.<\/p>\n

Coat Collection<\/h2>\n

Prior to Thanksgiving, the church gathers gently used coats that are taken by our Youth to a center where they are distributed to those in need.<\/p>\n

Doorways: Local Food Pantry<\/h2>\n

Doorways Food Pantry<\/a><\/span> is open on Saturday mornings and is supported by area churches and groups working together. Members of the church serve on the Board and provide assistance in a variety of ways. \u00a0For example, members of the Mission and Social Action Board deliver food every other week to Seekonk residents who are unable to get to Doorways themselves.<\/p>\n

Neighbors in Need Offerings: \u201cUnfailing Love\u201d<\/h2>\n

Neighbors in Need \u201cUnfailing Love\u201d special offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects that are serving homeless and immigrant neighbors or communities. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry<\/a> <\/span>.(CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC\u2019s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to provide funding grants to UCC churches and organizations leading justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects in their communities.<\/p>\n

One Great Hour of Sharing<\/h2>\n

Around the world, our mission dollars are at work in 80 countries. This special offering helps provide financial and personal resources to assist individuals, especially in developing areas, with literacy and a wide range of other self-help and sustainable activities. \u00a0These include agricultural, industrial, medical and educational programs. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Soup Kitchen<\/h2>\n

Seekonk Congregational Church is one of ten churches currently participating in the Christian Community Soup Kitchen. \u00a0Once every ten weeks on a rotational basis, each church serves a full meal to individuals in need. \u00a0The Soup Kitchen is held every Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Park Place Congregational UCC in Pawtucket. \u00a0Members of each church are asked to provide the designated meal (determined by each individual church) and this includes a main dish, plus fruit, salad and bread. \u00a0Church volunteers assist with preparing and serving the food.<\/p>\n

Educational Endeavors<\/em><\/h1>\n

Racial Justice Statement:<\/h2>\n

We believe that every person is made in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. \u00a0As a church, we confess our complicity and participation in the sin of racism that has plagued our nation for over 400 years. \u00a0As people of faith and followers of Jesus, we are called to build God\u2019s inclusive and equitable realm on earth. \u00a0Therefore, we seek to engage in programming, study, and action that lead us to become true allies of people of color, dedicated to promoting real equity and meaningful change.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From the \u00a0confiscation of indigenous lands and the slaughter and cultural destruction of native peoples; the enslavement of Africans, Jim Crow segregation, and mass incarceration of African Americans: the exploitation of Chinese laborers to build the railroads; the internment of those of Japanese descent during World War II; to mistreatment of and attacks upon Latino and Middle Eastern immigrants, we collectively have a lot to learn, ponder, and repent. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Building Diversity Awareness<\/h2>\n

The Mission and Social Action Board strives through education and empowerment to foster the awareness of diversity in our society and seeks to challenge the congregation to grow in hospitality and outreach to those who might seem \u2018different\u2019 from the majority in our church. \u00a0 To this end, the Board sponsors programs and speakers, and hosts educational seminars and suppers focused on topics of racial and cultural concerns and issues. \u00a0<\/p>\n

In order to further our education on racial issues, Members of the Mission and Social Action Board and the congregation have taken part in \u201cMerciful Conversations on Race: Let\u2019s Talk About White Privilege,\u201d a program conducted by the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.<\/p>\n

Book Club<\/h2>\n

The Mission and Social Action Board has been conducting a book club focused on works related to systemic racism, white privilege, and black history. \u00a0Some of the books which we have read and discussed are:<\/p>\n