Outreach
Whatever Your Story, You Can Serve Here
At FCC, we strive to put faith into action as a community that serves our community. We frequently participate in food drives, fundraisers to help our community and country after natural disasters, and many other causes that help support our neighbors.
Whether it’s collecting food for Jewish Family Services or running our winter shelter program, there are lots of opportunities to serve others. It is through our members and visitors that our church is able to give back to our communities near and far. At FCC we have a long history in social justice and believe that volunteering is an important part of our human existence. We give of our time or in other ways as we have been blessed.
FCC Community Partners
FCC is proud to partner with various community organizations. In 2023-2024, we provided financial support to the following area organizations. Many of our members also volunteer with these partner organizations and various other organizations.
- Avalon Housing
- Cass Community Social Services
- Corner Health Center
- Dawn Farm
- Friends In Deed
- Hope Clinic
- House By The Side Of The Road
- Jewish Family Services
- The Willis C. Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale
- Ozone House
- Peace Neighborhood Center
- Shelter Association of Washtenaw County
- SOS Community Services
- Washtenaw Camp Placement
- Ypsilanti Meals On Wheels
FCC Giving and Volunteer Service Opportunities
Month-by-Month Events
July: ART FAIR FUNDRAISER
We contract with a couple of Ann Arbor’s art fairs to collect waste and recycling and to provide hospitality to Art Fair vendors at the Michigan Theater. The money raised goes to support our youth and intergenerational volunteer service trips. There’s always fun and fellowship with FCC members. Check out our Art Fair page for more information and to volunteer.
August: Back to School Drive (CAN)
As families in the community prepare for their children’s return to school in the fall, they struggle to provide the needed supplies that can include backpacks, schoolwork supplies, calculators, notebooks, and more. Our church members donate these items to make this daunting task easier for many families. We partner with CAN (Community Action Network) to support their annual back to school drive.
October: CROP Walk (CWS)
Each year Washtenaw County organizations and faith communities come together for the CROP Hunger Walk. FCC members of all ages participate in the fundraising walk, which raises awareness about domestic and global hunger and poverty and supports the work of Church World Service to end hunger.
November: Men’s Rotating Shelter (SAWC)
In partnership with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor hosts an overnight shelter in November to house guests of the Delonis Center whom is almost always at capacity. We provide a warm place to sleep, snacks, and breakfast for 15-30 men.
December: Christmas Wish Tree
During Christmas we collect presents to help families in need provide their children with a joy-filled holiday.
February: Warming Shelter
During the month of February we host the Daytime Warming Shelter every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am – 3 pm. Our members provide lunch, activities, support, and a safe and warm place to be during the cold day time hours.
March/April: Easter Tree (JFS)
During Easter we collect household gifts for the Jewish Family Services and their Refugee Resettlement Program.
April: Intergenerational Mission Trip
Many years, FCC hosts an intergenerational service trip in which members of all ages travel to a location in need to do hands-on volunteer work as a community.
June: High School Volunteer Trip
Each June FCC’s High School youth participate in a weeklong volunteer trip. Our youth have served in urban and rural locations, both domestic and abroad. We strive to deepen our understanding of needs in our world and explore how our faith calls us to respond.
Ongoing Events
Collection of Food and Clothing
Each week we accept non-perishable food donations as well as clothing donations.
Eyeglasses Donations
Bring your old eye glasses to our Welcome Center for donation through an area organization.
Other Local Organizations
Our members believe in supporting our community. FCC has strong connections to area agencies and organizations. A few are: Cass Community Social Services, Kiwanis, House N2 Home, Thrift Shop, Bridal Project, and the Veterans Administration. If you’re looking to get involved, let us know.
Interested? Have questions? Please contact the Missions & Outreach Committee or call the church office at 734-662-1679.