Mission at First United Church

The Faith in Action committee celebrates all the caring service that members and visitors perform in our community and around the world! Large and small, near and far, when we put our faith in action, we make a tangible difference in the lives of those around us and they in turn enrich our own faith and community. Thanks be to God!

First United Church members and friends are encouraged to use the Mission Partner Nomination Form, available here, to initiate contact between the Faith-in-Action Committee and potential mission partners.  Our intent is to cultivate partnerships with agencies that have relationships with one or more members of First United.  If there are no partners currently involved, this nomination form is a good way to get started!

For more information, you may contact the Rev. Mamie E. Broadhurst, Associate Pastor, First United Church of Oak Park. mamie@firstunitedoakpark.com or 708-386-5215.

Our Goals:

To put our faith into action, serving others in love
To engage others person-to-person, heart-to-heart, and soul-to-soul
To build community, better society, and bless the world
To effectively meet needs in our community while fostering discernable change
To provide all at First United an opportunity to meaningfully engage our faith and to be transformed through our service.

Look at the ways in which you try to live out your faith in service to others. Chances are many of them fit into these goals, and all of us do something that can be called mission. Today we celebrate and recognize all of the various activities we do as mission in our wider community. Many of these are organized in and through the church, though some are through your own initiative. Wherever and however we serve and contribute of our talents, wisdom, energy and resources in service of God and neighbor, we do so in thanksgiving for all God has done for us and our world.

Some of our recent mission support and initiatives include:
Proviso Habitat House, Interfaith House, Cluster Tutoring,
CROP walk and Church World Service, PFLAG and Gay and Lesbian Advocacy,
LifeLink, OPRF Food Pantry, West Suburban PADS,
CRLN advocacy for Latin America, advocacy for Palestine and Middle East Peace
Presbyterian and UCC denominational support for national and global mission
Tsunami and other disaster relief efforts, FUSH work camp, AIDS Pastoral Care Network
Bread for the World, Chicago Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary
Council on the Parliament of the World’s Religions, OPRF Community of Congregations
Plymouth Place, Presbyterian Homes, Bethel New Life, Casa Central
Chicago Christian Industrial League, Erie Neighborhood House
Hephzibah Childrens Association, Infant Welfare Clinic, Sister House
Darfur refugee relief, and many others.

Resident Mission Partners

P.A.D.S. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter):  Every Monday night, from September 15 through May 15, First United’s Centennial Hall is converted into an emergency shelter for the area homeless population.  Over 50 volunteers offer a hot meal and bedding for up to 48 men, women and children.  The next morning, breakfast and a sack lunch are provided to help see them through the day.  Each Monday during the summer months we also provide a hot lunch and sack dinner for anyone in need.

Cluster Tutoring Program:  For several years, First United has offered volunteer tutors and financial support to the Cluster Tutoring program based in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s west side.   This program offers tutoring to elementary and secondary school children on Tuesday evenings at Pine Avenue Presbyterian  Church in Austin.  A pilot program begun in September 2003 offered a second night of tutoring for these same children on Thursday nights here at First United.  This program has been a great success and will continue in the fall of 2004.

Oak Park/River Forest Community of Congregations Food Pantry:  First United is the new home of this community pantry, moving to our basement location in February, 2004.  Operated entirely by volunteers, the pantry is open each Saturday morning until 12:00pm noon, and assists an average of 650 people each month.  Food donations come directly from the community – service organizations and many congregations, including our own, run regular food drives.

A Sampling of Some Other First United Partners:

Interfaith House:  located on Chicago’s west side, Interfaith House provides respite care for homeless people just released from area hospitals.  12- Step recovery programs, and many job- and housing- referral programs are coordinated to provide a way back into constructive living.

SisterHouse:  also located on the west side, SisterHouse is a highly structured program for women in recovery.  Women residents receive spiritual counseling as well as job training skills and educational tutoring.

Erie Neighborhood House:  Growing out of the “Settlement House” tradition, Erie provides neighborhood social and supportive services in a largely Hispanic neighborhood on the west side. 

Proviso Habitat for Humanity:  This Habitat project sponsors homes in the Maywood community of west suburban Cook County.  Several houses have been built with another  in the beginning stages.