Our Mission:
Mission is our response in gratitude for God’s work in our lives. We act in obedience to Christ’s’ mandate to: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
LOCAL MISSION
Our church reaches out locally within the Upper Valley. Believing that our Christian faith calls us to respond to the needs of the community in which we live, we strive to meet the challenges which call us to a variety of caring ministries.
Little Food Pantry – Our “Little Food Pantry” in the back of the church by the parking lot allows anyone to take any items they need whenever they need them.
Community Dinners – Dinners sponsored by LISTEN, a local support agency, are served five evenings a week in the Upper Valley. Teams from our church provide the supper the third Thursday of each month in White River Junction, VT at the Riverpoint LISTEN building.
Holiday Baskets – At Christmas time each year the community agency LISTEN provides holiday baskets of gifts and food for needy families and individuals. Volunteers are needed to donate gifts and money for the individuals assigned to our church.
Deacons’ Fund – Our Diaconate receives a special offering on Communion Sundays which offers various types of assistance. Money is used with discretion to respond to crises that befall not only church families, but also our Upper Valley neighbors.
Nursing Homes – Our pastor regularly visits local care facilities.
The Prayer Line – Our church has a Prayer Line which responds to personal needs through prayer. People are encouraged to call or email the Church Office with prayer requests. Volunteers who wish to participate in the praying may be added at any time.
Local Agencies – Our church supports, through the budget of the Mission Committee, local service agencies which include: LISTEN, The Haven, Cover, Headrest, Habitat for Humanity, WISE, Good Neighbor Health Clinic, and Children and Family Services of Lebanon.
WIDER MISSION
As a member church of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ, we are able to support a wider network of ministry. Believing that Christ calls us to reach out “even to the ends of the earth,” we welcome opportunities to reach out in mission beyond our local community.
UCC Special Offerings – Our church receives four special denomination-wide offerings during the year:
* One Great Hour of Sharing – Through this Lenten offering we support ministries of disaster relief, economic development, refugee resettlement, health care and social service in over 70 countries, including the US and Canada.
* Strengthen the Church – Through this Pentecost offering we share in the growth and future of the UCC through its local congregations and Conferences.
* Neighbors in Need – Through this autumn offering we express our deep commitment to reaching out and touching neighbors with justice and compassion.
* The Christmas Fund – Through this Advent offering we help meet a variety of needs, including emergency grants for active or retired clergy at times of financial crisis, as well as gift checks at Christmas to low- income retired clergy and widowed spouses.
Spiritual Life
Diaconate serves to uplift the spiritual life of the church. They attend to our two sacraments: Baptism and Communion. Diaconate ensures that our church is prepared to officiate at weddings and funerals. They seek to create ways for effective pastoral care.
Ecumenical Sharing
As a church, we seek to establish ties with other religious bodies by participating at ecumenical services on Thanksgiving, Ash Wednesday, and Easter. We faithfully support the Lebanon Council of Churches and the United Church of Christ, both at the Association and Conference Levels.
Copyright © 2016 West Lebanon Congregational Church | West Lebanon, NH 03784