OUR MISSION PROGRAMS
Our congregation is very committed to and involved with mission programs both here in Nashua and around the world. Here are just some of the missions with which we are currently involved:
Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter [NSK&S]
In addition to sending a crew twice a month to help serve the evening meal at the Nashua Soup Kitchen we work to support this ministry by growing vegetables in our church garden and taking them into the Soup Kitchen during the summer; by creating Easter Baskets to be given to families during Holy Week; Socks with toiletries at Christmas, and with other hands-on projects during the year.
Family Promise of Southern NH (formerly called 'Anne Marie House')
Folks from our congregation were actively involved in creating this ministry for homeless families and they continue to be involved by working as hosts while the RSA’s (Resident Staff Assistants) are at their regular jobs. We also continue to contribute financially to make sure that this ministry thrives in Nashua. The Deacons of our church, with the generous contributions of our congregation, also reach out every month to see what the families are in need of.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones provides supportive services to youth facing homelessness in the Greater Nashua Area. We help these young people transform their lives and get on the path to becoming self-sufficient adults.
There are around 400 unaccompanied youths that are currently homeless in Nashua alone. They have no safe place to go, and many live in tents on the banks of the Nashua river. Lucky kids drift from one friend’s house to another, or are taken in by a family member from time to time. But when luck turns, they are on their own.
Many of these kids come from abusive homes, and have run away. Some are “throwaways”, where their families have kicked them out. Others still have aged out of the foster care system. They have nowhere to go, and no one to turn to for help. The adults in their lives have failed them, and trust does not come easy.
Homeless youths feel unsafe each and every night. Their few possessions may be stolen, drugs and alcohol are rampant, physical abuse, and sex trafficking are very real fears. These factors combined with their youth put them at an increased risk of mental illness, poor health, lacking education, becoming involved with criminal activity, or becoming a victim. These kids are desperate for a way out. They long for a safe place to go, and they want to be able to help themselves because that is the only person they have been able to consistently rely on in the past. These kids want to work with others, not have things done for them. They want to be part of their own solution.
From cooking meals that youth eat every day to managing our online presence, volunteers do so much to ensure that young people in need find safe haven at Stepping Stones. From cooking meals that youth eat every day to managing our online presence, volunteers do so much to ensure that young people in need find
Members of our church support these kids by donating cash and items for their apartments, toiletries, and other items that are useful for those who still have no place to call home. We also have volunteers that go to the shelter and help out with organizing donations.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Super Bowl Sunday is also Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday! This year our collection supported the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter. You can also send your gift to the church earmarked for Souper Bowl and we'll forward it for you.
New England Glow is our regional Youth Group.
This is its Mission Report for Nov-Dec 2020
"Thank You" to all of you who promoted, donated and prayed for the Cold Weather Clothing Drive. I was amazed by the generosity we encountered. I had inquiries from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts asking how individuals and churches could contribute. Members of the leadership team hopped into their cars and traversed New England to consolidate all of the donations so they could be taken to Common Cathedral the week of the 17th. Over 60 boxes and large bags of donations were delivered to Common Cathedral in 3 car loads! Donations included blankets, sleeping bags, coats, pants, sweatshirts, socks, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, hand warmers, hand knits and dignity cards ($5 gift cards to Dunkin Donuts). These donations were sorted by volunteers at Common Cathedral on Friday January 22 and displayed in a large hall. I dropped off donations from Maine, New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts on Friday and I was inspired by the volunteers who helped me unload the donations. On Saturday January 23 individuals were invited into the space to go "shopping" for whatever they needed. No money exchanged hands but individuals were given the opportunity to pick out what they needed from the items donated. What I found so wonderful about the work at Common Cathedral is the intentional care given to both physical and spiritual needs of individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Seeing the person first and recognizing Christ in each individual. Restoring dignity by treating people as individuals and as valuable. What a wonderful way to be church!
Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter [NSK&S]
In addition to sending a crew twice a month to help serve the evening meal at the Nashua Soup Kitchen we work to support this ministry by growing vegetables in our church garden and taking them into the Soup Kitchen during the summer; by creating Easter Baskets to be given to families during Holy Week; Socks with toiletries at Christmas, and with other hands-on projects during the year.
Family Promise of Southern NH (formerly called 'Anne Marie House')
Folks from our congregation were actively involved in creating this ministry for homeless families and they continue to be involved by working as hosts while the RSA’s (Resident Staff Assistants) are at their regular jobs. We also continue to contribute financially to make sure that this ministry thrives in Nashua. The Deacons of our church, with the generous contributions of our congregation, also reach out every month to see what the families are in need of.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones provides supportive services to youth facing homelessness in the Greater Nashua Area. We help these young people transform their lives and get on the path to becoming self-sufficient adults.
There are around 400 unaccompanied youths that are currently homeless in Nashua alone. They have no safe place to go, and many live in tents on the banks of the Nashua river. Lucky kids drift from one friend’s house to another, or are taken in by a family member from time to time. But when luck turns, they are on their own.
Many of these kids come from abusive homes, and have run away. Some are “throwaways”, where their families have kicked them out. Others still have aged out of the foster care system. They have nowhere to go, and no one to turn to for help. The adults in their lives have failed them, and trust does not come easy.
Homeless youths feel unsafe each and every night. Their few possessions may be stolen, drugs and alcohol are rampant, physical abuse, and sex trafficking are very real fears. These factors combined with their youth put them at an increased risk of mental illness, poor health, lacking education, becoming involved with criminal activity, or becoming a victim. These kids are desperate for a way out. They long for a safe place to go, and they want to be able to help themselves because that is the only person they have been able to consistently rely on in the past. These kids want to work with others, not have things done for them. They want to be part of their own solution.
From cooking meals that youth eat every day to managing our online presence, volunteers do so much to ensure that young people in need find safe haven at Stepping Stones. From cooking meals that youth eat every day to managing our online presence, volunteers do so much to ensure that young people in need find
Members of our church support these kids by donating cash and items for their apartments, toiletries, and other items that are useful for those who still have no place to call home. We also have volunteers that go to the shelter and help out with organizing donations.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Super Bowl Sunday is also Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday! This year our collection supported the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter. You can also send your gift to the church earmarked for Souper Bowl and we'll forward it for you.
New England Glow is our regional Youth Group.
This is its Mission Report for Nov-Dec 2020
"Thank You" to all of you who promoted, donated and prayed for the Cold Weather Clothing Drive. I was amazed by the generosity we encountered. I had inquiries from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts asking how individuals and churches could contribute. Members of the leadership team hopped into their cars and traversed New England to consolidate all of the donations so they could be taken to Common Cathedral the week of the 17th. Over 60 boxes and large bags of donations were delivered to Common Cathedral in 3 car loads! Donations included blankets, sleeping bags, coats, pants, sweatshirts, socks, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, hand warmers, hand knits and dignity cards ($5 gift cards to Dunkin Donuts). These donations were sorted by volunteers at Common Cathedral on Friday January 22 and displayed in a large hall. I dropped off donations from Maine, New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts on Friday and I was inspired by the volunteers who helped me unload the donations. On Saturday January 23 individuals were invited into the space to go "shopping" for whatever they needed. No money exchanged hands but individuals were given the opportunity to pick out what they needed from the items donated. What I found so wonderful about the work at Common Cathedral is the intentional care given to both physical and spiritual needs of individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Seeing the person first and recognizing Christ in each individual. Restoring dignity by treating people as individuals and as valuable. What a wonderful way to be church!