Ministries

Food Pantry-
Since the mid-1960’s, First Congregational Church has collected and assembled food orders for needy individuals and families in Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township and an area of Auburn Hills. We work as partners with the Rochester Area Neighborhood House. After being interviewed and screened at Neighborhood House, clients come to the Food Pantry located on the lower level of the Church. Twenty-plus members of the Helping Hand Committee volunteer time on Monday through Thursday afternoons to fill these food orders. The food orders include enough perishables and staples to last for 10 – 14 days. Food supplies are donated by local businesses, schools, churches, organizations and individuals of the area. Funds for purchasing needed perishables and staples come mainly from the yearly Goodfellows/Firemen’s Paper Sale. We are also financially supported by the local CROP Walk, Neighbors In Need and individual donations. Monthly needs lists are posted at the Neighborhood House Web site. (www.ranh.org).

Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one Christian caregiving ministry provided by trained lay-persons to help meet the needs of persons who are:

• hospitalized
• terminally ill and their families
• homebound
• in a job crisis situation
• aging and elderly
• facing life transitions
• lonely
• separated or divorced
• with disabilities and their families

Our Stephen Ministry program continues to be a vital ministry of FCC. We have several Stephen Ministers assigned to Care Receivers and we have Stephen Ministers available for assignment. If you, or someone you know, would like to meet with a Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Wheeler or one of the Stephen Leaders listed above. Be assured that all communication will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.  To get to the National Stephen Ministry Web site click here.
Introducing our Stephen Ministry Leader Team: Helen Westphal, Jim Brehler and Phyllis Dudgeon

Outreach -
This group sponsors and supports many events at the church and organizes the annual Crop Walk.  They also participate in the campus Ministry program at Oakland University.

Careers in Transition -

Careers in Transition (CIT) strives to support all those seeking re-employment assistance.  CIT serves our community in general and all are welcome.  Our support includes equipping individuals with the skills and tools necessary to effectively carry out a job search campaign, guidance on how to handle specific issues or questions, and emotional support for our brothers and sisters during this stressful time.  Careers in Transition meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at First Congregational Church, 1315 Pine Street, Rochester, 48307. For directions, click here or call the church office at 248-651-6225. Come alone or invite a friend, but don't miss this opportunity, and bring your resume!

Church World Service -
Our congregation helps support Church World Service which is a humanitarian and disaster response program of the National Council of the Churches of Christ.  FCC annually collects for the Blanket Fund which supplies wool blankest for disaster relief worldwide.  We also support Gifts of the Heart which supplies school kits, health kits, sewing kits, and layettes to those in need.

Peace by Peace – 
Our church has two groups of women that meet monthly as part of the international group Peace x Peace.  As they establish contact with similar groups in third world countries, there is an opportunity to share experiences, ideas and hope for a better world.  The connection between these groups has provided enriched understanding and love across many borders.

Upper Room –